Description
A light, refreshing salad featuring crisp cucumbers, smoky turkey bacon, sharp cheddar, and green onions, all tossed in a creamy homemade ranch dressing. Perfect for summer barbecues, weeknight dinners, or make-ahead lunches.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 slices turkey bacon
- 2 large cucumbers, diced into ½-inch cubes
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup chopped green onions
- ½ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 1 packet (2 tablespoons) ranch seasoning mix
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Place turkey bacon in a cold skillet. Cook over medium heat, flipping occasionally, until golden brown and crisp (6–8 minutes). Drain on paper towels, then crumble into bite-sized pieces.
- In a small bowl, whisk together sour cream, mayonnaise, ranch seasoning, and garlic powder until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- In a large salad bowl, combine diced cucumbers, shredded cheddar, and chopped green onions. Pat cucumbers dry before adding to prevent watery salad.
- Add crumbled turkey bacon to the bowl.
- Pour about three-quarters of the ranch dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat without crushing cucumbers.
- Taste and add remaining dressing or adjust seasoning as desired.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
- Before serving, toss gently again and garnish with extra green onions or bacon crumbles.
Notes
For extra crunch, sprinkle toasted sunflower seeds or chopped nuts just before serving. Substitute turkey bacon with pork bacon or smoked prosciutto if desired. For a Greek twist, mix half ranch dressing with Greek yogurt and add fresh dill and lemon juice. To keep salad dairy-free, use dairy-free yogurt, mayo, and cheese alternatives.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook with Stove (for bacon)
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 40mg