Name: Cucumber and Bell Pepper Salad
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 3 tablespoons olive oil, (extra virgin); 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil; 2 tablespoons unseasoned rice vinegar, (I used Marukan brand); 2 tablespoons tamari soy sauce, (Kikkoman brand); 1 tablespoon maple syrup; 1 fresh ginger, (peeled and grated (1 inch segment)); 1 large clove garlic, (peeled); 1 teaspoon spicy chili crisp, (Lao Gan Ma brand); ½ teaspoon kosher salt; 5 persian cucumbers, (or mini cucumbers); 4 mini sweet red bell peppers; 3 mini sweet orange bell peppers; 3 mini sweet yellow bell peppers; 1 tablespoon everything bagel seasoning, (I used Einstiein Bros brand)

White bowl of cucumber and bell pepper salad on a table

Fresh cucumber and bell pepper salad tossed in a tangy homemade ginger vinaigrette, perfect for a crisp and colorful side dish.

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Prep Time15

Total Time15

Servings

Think of this Cucumber and Bell Pepper Salad as the side dish that refuses to be seasonal. It’s a crisp and refreshing option for summer BBQs — as well as a bright, crunchy counterbalance to your favorite dinner recipes. Sweet bell peppers, cool cucumbers, and a tangy dressing come together in under 15 minutes.

Fork lifting cucumber and bell pepper slices from salad bowl

👉 Pro Tip: If you want to serve this for a special meal, assemble everything except the dressing in the morning, then toss it together just before serving for maximum crunch and color. 👈

Ingredients You’ll Need

Ingredients for cucumber and bell pepper salad arranged on a cutting board and in bowls — Pictured: Cucumber and Bell Pepper Salad Ingredients – Mini cucumbers, mini peppers (red, orange, yellow), olive oil, rice vinegar, tamari soy sauce, sesame oil, maple syrup, Everything Bagel seasoning, kosher salt, garlic, spicy chili crisp, and fresh ginger.

Ingredient Notes

Instead of Everything But The Bagel spice blend you can use our everything bagel spice blend recipe and make your own.

Ingredient Tips

For the best salad…
Keep It Fresh – Use crisp, just-picked veggies for the best bite.
Play with Add-Ins – Feta, cherry tomatoes, or avocado fit right in.

How to Make A Bell Pepper Salad

Slice & Dice – the cucumbers and three colors of peppers.

Sliced cucumbers and red, orange, and yellow bell peppers arranged on a cutting board

Whisk – Mix dressing ingredients until smooth.

Combine – Toss everything together with herbs until well coated.

Overhead view of cucumber and bell pepper salad in a glass bowl with seasoning, with inset image of dressing being poured over sliced cucumbers and peppers, and text about marinating before serving.

Rest – Let it chill for 15–20 minutes so the flavors can get acquainted.

Serving Ideas

With Anything Grilled – Try our grilled chicken recipe.
As a Holiday Sidekick – A bright pop of freshness alongside your roast ham.
For lunch – In a quick lettuce wrap.
To Tame Spice – Cool down spicy buffalo chicken wings.

Storage Instructions

Once dressed, this pepper salad stays crisp for about 24 hours in the fridge. After that, the cucumbers will start to release water and soften slightly. If you store the dressing separately, the sliced veggies will stay fresh and crunchy for up to three days.

Overhead view of cucumber and bell pepper salad with seasoning and dressing on the side

This Cucumber Bell Pepper Salad is the definition of simple done right—minimal ingredients, maximum flavor. It’s the kind of side dish that disappears fast, so you might want to make a double batch.

Cucumber and Bell Pepper Salad

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Fresh cucumber and bell pepper salad tossed in a tangy homemade ginger vinaigrette, perfect for a crisp and colorful side dish.

Prep Time 15

Total Time 15

Servings

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Ingredients

Ginger Dressing

3 tablespoons olive oil, extra virgin
2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
2 tablespoons unseasoned rice vinegar, I used Marukan brand
2 tablespoons tamari soy sauce, Kikkoman brand
1 tablespoon maple syrup
1 fresh ginger, peeled and grated (1 inch segment)
1 large clove garlic, peeled
1 teaspoon spicy chili crisp, Lao Gan Ma brand
½ teaspoon kosher salt

Vegetables

5 persian cucumbers, or mini cucumbers
4 mini sweet red bell peppers
3 mini sweet orange bell peppers
3 mini sweet yellow bell peppers
1 tablespoon everything bagel seasoning, I used Einstiein Bros brand

Instructions

Add the olive oil, sesame oil, rice vinegar, soy sauce, maple syrup, grated ginger, garlic, chili crisp and kosher salt to a blender. Puree for about 30 seconds to 1 minute until completely smooth.
Rinse and dry the cucumbers and mini bell peppers.
Slice the very ends of the cucumbers off, then cut ⅛ to ¼ inch thick slices.
Cut off the stems of the mini bell peppers, and slice into ⅛ inch thick rings.
Place all of the sliced vegetables into a medium size bowl and drizzle the ginger dressing over. Use tongs to toss the salad together before sprinkling with everything bagel seasoning. Cover with plastic wrap and keep refrigerated until ready to serve.

Notes

If you are not able to find chili crisp, you can substitute crushed red pepper flakes or harissa paste.
English cucumbers can be substituted for persian cucumbers.
Pre-made ginger miso dressing is a good alternative to homemade dressing.

Nutrition

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This recipe was developed, tested, cooked and photographed by the Spaceships Kitchen. From our dinner table to yours, we hope you think it's out of this world!

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15 Minute Cucumber Bell Pepper Salad