Spicy Cilantro Cucumber Salad with Avocado

This spicy cilantro cucumber salad is a refreshing salad that combines the crisp freshness of cucumber with the vibrant flavor of cilantro. It’s perfect for a summer side dish or a light lunch.

A picture of a bowl of cucumber cilantro salad with juiced limes in the background

Cucumbers are one of my favorite summer vegetables, they are healthy, refreshing, easy to prepare and there are so many ways to enjoy them. This salad has become our new favorite cucumber recipe. It takes minutes to make and makes enough for two big helpings or three small. When there are leftovers, I use it up for lunch the next day.

Why you will love this recipe

  • Fresh! It’s made with fresh, simple ingredients. Crisp cucumbers add a satisfying crunch and spicy jalapeno peppers paired with cilantro adds a unique taste and a pop of color.
  • Siimpe! This easy recipe is made with minimal ingredients and a few simple steps.
  • Versatile! Add more veggies, or change the dressing to make it your own.

a picture of the ingredients needed to make the salad which are listed below in the ingredient list

What you will need

This is a brief summary of the ingredients needed to make this cucumber salad recipe and a convenient shopping list from my Instacart affiliate link. For a printable recipe card with exact measurements and detailed instructions, scroll down to the recipe card section.

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Ingredients

  • Cucumber
  • Cilantro
  • Avocado
  • Jalapeno
  • Garlic
  • Red onion
  • Cherry tomatoes
  • Lime juice
  • Olive oil
  • Chili powder
  • Cotija cheese

Here is how to make spicy cilantro cucumber salad

Prepare: chop the tomatoes, cucumbers and avocados into bite-sized pieces. Slice the onions thin, chop the jalapenos and shred the cheese. Mix the dressing ingredients together in a small bowl or jar.

a picture of all of the ingredients in a bowl not mixed

STEP 1: Place the salad ingredients including the cheese into a large bowl

A picture of cucumber salad in a bowl mixed together

STEP 2: Add the dressing and combine all of the ingredients.

Substitutions and variations

Cilantro – If you don’t like the taste of cilantro, you can substitute it with an equal amount of parsely.

Jalapeno peppers – These add a nice spicy kick to this salad. If you don’t have a jalapeno pepper you and add a 1/2 teaspoon or red pepper flakes. If you prefer a milder version, feel free to leave the peppers out.

Add more vegetables – Add red bell peppers, beans, olives, or zucchini to make the salad more interesting and nutritious.

Add protein – Make this salad a complete meal by adding grilled chicken breast, cooked shrimp, tofu or beans such as chickpeas or black beans.

Change up the dressing – Swap the lime juice for lemon juice or a balsamic or red wine vinaigrette. Or you can mix in a little Greek yogurt with the lime dressing for a creamy dressing.

Cheese – Replace Cotija cheese with feta cheese or parmesan cheese. For a dairy-free version you can leave the cheese out.

cilantro cucumber salad on a plate with lettuce

What to serve with cilantro lime cucumber salad

One of the simplest and most delicious ways to enjoy this salad is to pair it with grilled meat or seafood. It’s also a great side dish for tacos or burgers.

How to store leftovers

If you have leftover cilantro cucumber salad, you can store it in a glass airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days. If you anticipate leftovers, reserve some of the dressing when making the salad which can be used on leftovers to refresh the leftover salad.

If your leftover salad seems to be soggy, you can drain some of the excess liquid off and add reserved dressing or give it a squeeze of lime juice to brighten it up.

Tips

  • Use fresh herbs that are bright green without yellowing or wilting.
  • Do a taste test after mixing the salad to make sure the falvor are right for you.
  • If the cucumber has large seeds, scoop them out to reduce the moisture content of the cucumbers.

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cilantro cucumber salad on a plate with lettuce

Spicy Cucumber Salad

A zesty and refreshing summer salad that is perfect for guests or entertaining.
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Print Pin Rate
Course: Salad
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cilantro cucumber salad
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 2 People
Calories: 124kcal
Author: Anne Lawton

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 2 cucumbers medium
  • 1/2 avocado or 1 small
  • 1 jalapeno pepper chopped
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 2 tablespoons red onion minced
  • 6 cherry tomatoes
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/4 cup cotija cheese

Instructions

  • Prepare the ingredients: slice 6 cherry tomatoes in half, chop 2 cucumbers and 1/2 avocado into bite-sized pieces. Mince 2 tablespoons red onion1 jalapeno pepper and 1 clove garlic. Shred 1/4 cup cotija cheese. Mix the dressing ingredients ( 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice, 1 tablespoon olive oil,1 teaspoon chili powder and garlic) together in a small bowl or jar.
  • Place the salad ingredients including the cheese into a large bowl.
  • Pour the dressing over the top and stir gently to combine.

Notes

This is a recipe that makes approximately 2 to 3  servings. It will last for a few days, and is great for a quick lunch in addition to a side dish at dinner.
If you have leftover cilantro cucumber salad, you can store it in a glass airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days. If you anticipate leftovers, reserve some of the dressing when making the salad which can be used on leftovers to refresh the leftover salad.
If your leftover salad seems to be soggy, you can drain some of the excess liquid off and add reserved dressing or give it a squeeze of lime juice to brighten it up.

Nutrition

Calories: 124kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 123mg | Potassium: 416mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 495IU | Vitamin C: 18mg | Calcium: 78mg | Iron: 1mg
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