Barbeque season is upon us – and I’ve got the perfect salad to bring a tropical taste to your table. My pineapple cucumber salad recipe blends the salty with the sweet, using the best of seasonal produce to create a dish that’s packed with color and goodness. I love making this recipe for BBQs and cookouts; it’s a great way to add some diversity to the traditional offerings. And the best part? It’s low-effort and only takes 10 minutes to put together! For flavor, I’ve jazzed up this simple pineapple recipe with spices, fresh herbs, and fresh veggies to turn an easy fruit salad recipe into a vegan-friendly and gluten-free option for your next cookout.
Pineapple salad ingredients
Pineapple: I prefer in-season pineapple because it’s got the sweetest flavor (and is the freshest) but you can use canned/pre-chopped pineapple if you’re in a pinch. Cucumber: Predominantly water, fresh cucumber is a great carrier for sweet flavors. Go for fresh from the grocery store or the market. Red Onion: The best for salads, you can also use shallots if you want a milder flavor. Avocado: Slightly underripe avocados will give more texture in the salad, but if you prefer creamier, go for ripe avocados. It’s also a great way to add healthy fats! Red Bell Pepper: I prefer red just so it stands out against the pineapple and cucumber, but you can use any color peppers you like. Chili Pepper: For heat – it works surprisingly well with salad and pineapple and you can adjust to your taste/spice tolerance. Cilantro: I like fresh, but you can use dried in a pinch.
What Dressing Goes with Pineapple Salad
For a pineapple salad dressing, I tend to use familiar flavors that’ll enhance the ingredients. I use lime (both juice and zest), olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.
What color pineapple is best to cut
For recipes with fresh pineapple, picking the right fruit is key. Pineapples turn yellow when they’re fully ripe; the insides will be soft and juicy and it should make for easier cutting. If your pineapple is predominantly green, it’s underripe. It’s still okay to use, but it will change the salad.
The easiest way to cut up a pineapple for salad
Cut off the sprout of leaves at the top of the pineapple and remove the skin with a sharp knife. Then, slice through the middle, then into 4-6 wedges. Remove the core from each wedge, then cut into smaller pieces. For a more detailed look at expertly cutting up this tricky fruit, follow my handy guide on how to cut pineapple.
How to make pineapple salad
Once you’ve prepared your pineapple, cut the cucumber and red onion into half-moon slices (cut onion in pole-to-pole slices), dice the red bell pepper and avocado, and slice the cilantro and chili pepper. Mix with the pineapple chunks in a large bowl. To make the dressing, zest and juice the lime (my easy guide on how to juice a lime will show you how to get the most out of your everyday limes). Add the dressing ingredients to a small bowl and mix well. Then pour the dressing over the pineapple salad and mix well until coated. I recommend leaving the salad to marinate for 20-30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to fully meld together – it’ll make it taste even better.
How to serve pineapple salad
Pineapple salad is an easy, low-effort side dish for any barbeque spread. Try it with my BBQ Pulled Jackfruit or Spiced Corn Ribs for more vegan-friendly barbeque, or serve it alongside burgers, short ribs, beef brisket, etc. Pair with other sweet/savory combos, like my watermelon salsa, spinach and strawberry salad, or tropical mango salad. Pineapple salad is also very good when paired with fish (it’s a popular choice in warmer places like Hawaii) – try it with honey-glazed salmon, a pan-fried sea bass, or as part of a fish curry. You can also use this as a replacement for mango salsa – if you do, serve it with tortilla chips or add it to tacos for a sweet flavor.
Storing
If you’re making it in advance, chop the pineapple and store it in an air-tight container for a few days before planning to use it. Prepare everything else on the day. To store any leftovers, put them in an air-tight container and keep them in the fridge. Pineapple salad will stay fresh for 2-3 days – any longer and it’ll become watery.
More pineapple recipes
Pineapple Casserole Easy Pineapple Lemonade Fruit Salad Pineapple Skin Tea
If you try this salad with pineapple, let me know how it goes in the comments below. I’d appreciate a recipe card rating and would love to see your recipe recreations – tag me on Instagram @Alphafoodie!
