Classic Cucumber Ranch Crack Salad Recipe
A refreshing and savory Classic Cucumber Ranch Crack Salad combining crisp cucumbers, sharp cheddar, smoky bacon, and flavorful ranch dressing for a quick, easy, and crowd-pleasing side dish or snack.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-cook with cooked bacon
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Lactose
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups cucumbers sliced (English or Persian cucumbers preferred)
- ½ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ⅓ cup cooked bacon crumbled (4–5 slices)
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 tbsp dry ranch seasoning mix (such as Hidden Valley)
- 2 tbsp finely chopped red onion
- 1–2 tbsp chopped fresh dill or 1 tsp dried dill
- Salt & black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook and crumble bacon: Crisp up the bacon slices in a pan or microwave until fully cooked and crispy. Let cool, then crumble into small pieces.
- Prepare cucumbers: Slice cucumbers into ¼-inch rounds without peeling if using English or Persian cucumbers for added texture and color.
- Make ranch dressing: In a small bowl, stir together sour cream and dry ranch seasoning until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Combine salad ingredients: In a large bowl, mix the sliced cucumbers, shredded cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon, finely chopped red onion, and dill.
- Dress the salad: Add the ranch dressing to the bowl and gently toss until all ingredients are evenly coated.
- Season and chill: Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Serve immediately or chill the salad for 10–15 minutes for enhanced flavor.
Notes
- Using English or Persian cucumbers means you can leave the skin on for extra crunch and nutrients.
- Adjust the ranch seasoning amount to your taste preference for more or less ranch flavor.
- For a lighter version, substitute sour cream with Greek yogurt.
- Fresh dill adds the best flavor, but dried dill works well in a pinch.
- Can be served as a side dish for BBQs, picnics, or as a crunchy snack.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 380mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: cucumber salad, ranch salad, bacon salad, classic cucumber ranch, easy salad recipe, side dish
