Fresh and Fruity Pineapple Cucumber Salad

This fruity pineapple cucumber salad is refreshing, tropical, and the perfect addition to any picnic, BBQ, or summer cookout table! In addition, this pineapple salad is meat-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, oil-free, and vegan; ready in under 10 minutes!

If you’re looking for a quick and refreshing salad that takes advantage of the bounty of fresh produce with just a few simple ingredients, you’ve found it with this simple pineapple cucumber salad! The sweet and savory combination with fresh in-season pineapple absolutely bursts with flavor (and hydration!) in your mouth. It’s wonderfully colorful, crunchy, and full of nutrients!

I love pairing fruits into my summery salads. So much so that I’ve already shared a Thai green papaya salad, kale and strawberry salad, pink raspberry salad, spinach blackberry salad, and tropical mango salad. This time the focus is on super juicy, sweet pineapple.

If anything, this pineapple salad is more like a salsa (similar to this simple watermelon salsa or mango Pico de Gallo), just with larger pieces. The tender, juicy sweetness of the pineapple balances well with the tang of the shallot and the fresh crunch of bell peppers and cucumber. That’s all finished off with a slight pop of heat and acidity from the fresh jalapeno & lime dressing and cilantro topping (or mint/basil for cilantro haters!).

All you need for this recipe is just 8 ingredients (and salt & pepper) and 10 minutes. However, you can pair it down even further to a super simple pineapple, cucumber, and dressing combo. It will still be a delicious addition to any potluck, BBQ, or picnic table!

Cucumber is one of my favorite additions to salads (as you’ll see here with this cucumber and tomato salad, Shirazi salad, and avocado cucumber salad). They are also a great crunchy, refreshing pairing to the tropical fruit. The resulting salad is packed with vitamins and minerals while remaining light and low-calorie! If you’re feeling extra fruity, you can even double up and serve this tropical cucumber salad with a side of freshly made pineapple lemonade!

The Ingredients

• Pineapple: it’s best to use in-season pineapple for the freshest, sweetest results. I avoid pre-chopped pineapple as I don’t like the flavor, but it will save time.
• Vegetables: I use a combination of small bell peppers (I used red and orange, but green would also work) and cucumber.
• Aromatics: pineapple pairs wonderfully with the simple flavors of lime juice (fresh is best!) and ginger.
• Shallot: alternatively, you could use red onion, though shallots have a milder flavor.
• Cilantro: if you aren’t a fan of cilantro, you could use mint or basil instead.
• Dressing: I use a simple chili lime dressing using fresh lime juice (you can optionally add some of the zest too) and a jalapeño (adjust the amount to personal preference, swap for another chili of different heat level, or omit entirely).
• Salt & pepper.

Optional Add-Ins and Variations

• 

• 

• Avocado: the creamy texture and healthy fats in avocado make it a good potential add-in for this simple pineapple salad.
• Olive oil: this pineapple salad doesn’t have a typical “dressing,” but you can make it more so with the addition of a drizzle of olive oil (plus healthy fats).
• Honey/maple: adding just a little sweetness to the lime dressing can help balance the acidity and chili.
• Leafy greens: to make more of a traditional leafy salad, feel free to add some lettuce or mixed baby greens.
• Legumes: to add some plant-based protein, you could add your favorite bean to this pineapple salad like kidney beans, chickpeas, black beans, pinto, etc.
• Fruit: you can experiment with adding some other fruits to the salad like blueberries, mango, melon, or even dragonfruit.
• Crunch: to add a little crunch to the salad, you could add lightly toasted omega seeds, crushed nuts, or even homemade croutons.

How to Make Pineapple Cucumber Salad

Step 1: Prepare the pineapple

First, prepare the pineapple. I do this by slicing off the top and bottom. Then use a sharp knife to “peel” the pineapple, then remove the eyes with a small paring knife.

Chop the peeled pineapple into small wedges. Then transfer to a large serving bowl.

Step 2: Chop the remaining ingredients

Next, chop the cucumber into small wedges. Then finely chop the shallot, peppers, and jalapeño (adjust the amount to personal preference).

Then rinse the cilantro and remove the leaves. You can add them whole or finely slice and add to the bowl.

Step 3: Assemble the salad

Finally, add the lime juice, salt, and pepper, and toss the salad to thoroughly mix.

How to Make Ahead and Store 

Make ahead: you can chop the pineapple in advance and store it in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days.

Store: store any leftover pineapple cucumber salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. It will become more “watery” over time but should still taste great for 2-3 days.

FAQs

Recipe Notes and FAQs

• Allow to marinate: the flavors of this pineapple salad will taste better when left to marinate for 20-30 minutes before serving.
• For mellow shallots: I already find shallots relatively mild. However, you can soak the shallots (or red onion) in a bowl of ice water for 10-15 minutes before using them if you want to calm the harsh bite.
• For a paired-down salad: this salad only has a few ingredients and can be paired down to bare bones with a simple combination of cucumber, pineapple, cilantro, and lime-chili dressing. It’s still delicious!
• Fresh is best: this salad is so simple that it benefits from using the best ingredients – freshly chopped pineapple, fresh lime juice, fresh chili, etc. While it’s still fine using pre-chopped/bottled etc., version, it won’t be quite as impressive!

Other Healthy Salad Recipes

• Roasted beet salad with goat cheese
• Massaged kale salad
• Simple Waldorf salad
• Classic Caprese salad
• Lebanese Fattoush salad
• Easy spinach and blackberry salad
• Simple Avocado Cucumber Tomato Salad
• Herby Watermelon Feta Salad with Cucumber
• Simple Cucumber Onion Salad
• Mediterranean Buddha Bowl

• 

• 

• 

If you try this pineapple cucumber salad recipe, I’d love to hear your thoughts/questions below. Also, I’d appreciate a recipe card rating below, and feel free to tag me in your recipe recreations on Instagram @Alphafoodie!