If you're looking for the perfect summer side dish, this Cucumber and Pineapple Salad is it. It's cool, crisp, and juicy with a sweet-spicy kick from hot honey and a pop of freshness from chopped cilantro. The combination of pineapple and cucumber might sound unexpected, but it works really well, especially with a pinch of salt to pull all the flavors together.
This salad takes just minutes to make and is endlessly versatile! Serve it with grilled chicken, scoop it onto tacos, or eat it straight from the bowl as a light, refreshing side dish or healthy snack. It has so much flavor and it's exactly what hot-weather meals need!
Why You'll Love It
- It's quick and easy. Just chop, toss, and serve. You don't even need to let it sit (although you can)!
- Sweet + spicy + salty = magic. The hot honey adds just enough heat to balance the sweetness of the pineapple. And a pinch of salt helps bring those flavors together.
- It's light and refreshing. Perfect for hot days, backyard barbecues, or when you just want a delicious, healthy snack or light lunch.
- It's really versatile. Serve it as a side dish, taco topping, or a light, flavorful, and healthy snack.
- Only 5 ingredients. And one is salt! It's so simple and fresh but it's full of flavor!
Ingredients You'll Need
- English cucumber: English cucumbers hold up well in salads and add a nice crunchy texture. You can use other types of cucumbers, just remove the seeds so the salad doesn't get watery.
- Fresh pineapple: Sweet and juicy! Fresh pineapple goes so well with the crunch cucumber. Please do use fresh - it makes a huge difference! If canned is all you have, it will still be good, but nowhere near the deliciousness of fresh.
- Cilantro: Adds a bright flavor that ties everything together. If you're not a fan, try swapping in fresh mint, parsley, or basil. You can also skip it entirely if you don't have fresh herbs on hand.
- Hot honey: A sweet-spicy drizzle that makes this salad pop. Adjust the amount depending on how much heat you like.
- Salt: Just a pinch to enhance and balance the flavors.
How to Make Cucumber and Pineapple Salad
This salad is as easy as it gets! Just a little chopping and mixing and you're done.
- Chop the cucumber and pineapple. Cut both into bite-sized pieces and place them in a medium mixing bowl (or put it straight into the serving bowl and mix it there).
- Add the cilantro. Toss in the chopped cilantro.
- Drizzle with hot honey. Start with a tablespoon, taste it, and add more if you like it spicier. I usually just eyeball this but if you're serving it for guests, you probably want to make sure it's not too spicy.
- Season it with a little salt. A pinch goes a long way to bring out the flavors. Taste it and adjust as needed.
- Toss and serve. Mix everything well and serve it immediately, or chill it for 15-20 minutes if you prefer it extra cold.
Tips & Variations
This cucumber and pineapple salad is super flexible, so feel free to get creative with whatever ingredients you have on hand!
- Add a squeeze of lime: A little lime juice brightens the whole dish and adds a nice contrast to the sweet pineapple and spicy honey.
- Use regular cucumber: No English cucumber? Just peel and deseed a regular cucumber to get a similar crunch.
- Add some diced red onion: It adds both color and flavor.
- Make it spicier or milder: Adjust the heat by using more or less hot honey, or swap it with plain honey and add red pepper flakes. Thinly-sliced jalapeño or serrano peppers would be delicious, too.
- Switch up the herbs: Not a fan of cilantro? Try fresh mint, basil, or even a little chopped chives or green onion for a different flavor.
- Add more fruit: Mix in chopped mango, watermelon, or even avocado.
- Add crunch: Top with toasted cashews, peanuts, or pumpkin seeds for more texture.
- Skip the hot honey: Try it with some Tajin seasoning, regular honey, or no seasoning at all!
- Make it creamy: A drizzle of yogurt or a dollop of sour cream will turn this into a wonderfully creamy salad.
What to Serve It With
This cucumber and pineapple salad is incredibly versatile: it works as a side dish, a topping, or a light snack all on its own. Here are some of our favorite ways to serve it:
- Grilled meats: It's perfect alongside grilled chicken, pork chops, shrimp, or salmon. The sweetness of the pineapple balances out smoky, savory flavors.
- Tacos: Spoon it over fish or shrimp tacos in place of regular salsa.
- Rice or grain bowls: Add it to a bowl with rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice, plus some protein for a quick and delicious meal.
- Pulled pork or BBQ ribs: Its brightness cuts through rich, smoky barbecue dishes.
- Asian-inspired dishes: Because of the pineapple, it pairs well with spicy noodle bowls, sesame chicken, or teriyaki anything.
- As a dip: Chop it really small and serve it with salty tortilla chips!
Storage Tips
This salad is best enjoyed fresh, but you can store it if necessary with a few small adjustments.
- Short-term storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 day. The cucumber and pineapple will release some liquid, so it may become a bit watery over time.
- If making ahead: Chop the cucumber, pineapple, and cilantro ahead of time, but wait to add the hot honey and salt until just before serving. This helps keep the ingredients as crisp and fresh as possible.
- Drain before serving: If your cucumber and pineapple salad has been sitting for a while, just give it a quick stir and drain off any excess liquid before serving again.
Because it's so quick to make, your best bet is to prep it fresh and enjoy it the same day whenever possible!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use canned pineapple instead of fresh?
You can, but fresh will be so much better that it's worth the small effort to chop up a fresh pineapple. If you do use canned, make sure it's packed in juice, not syrup, and drain it really well.
What can I use instead of hot honey?
If you don't have hot honey, try mixing regular honey with a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce. You can also drizzle plain honey and add thinly-sliced jalapeño or serrano peppers for a fresh heat. Tajin seasoning would be a much different flavor but it would be delicious, too!
Is this cucumber and pineapple salad spicy?
It has a gentle heat from the hot honey, but it's easy to adjust. Add more or less to suit your spice preference, or leave it out altogether!
Can I make this salad ahead of time?
You can, but for the best texture, wait to add the salt and hot honey until right before serving. The salt draws out moisture from the cucumber and pineapple, which can make the salad watery if it sits too long.
What type of cucumber is best?
English cucumbers work best because they're mild, mostly seedless, and have thin skin. If using regular cucumbers, peel them if necessary and scoop out the seeds.
If you love fresh, flavorful salads like this cucumber pineapple combo, there are a few more you should definitely try. My classic wedge salad with balsamic is really simple but always so good! For something seasonal and sweet, this autumn fruit salad is full of crunchy and juicy seasonal fall fruit. For a flavorful, healthy salad, try this white bean and barley salad with a lemon-garlic vinaigrette. And when you want something simple and nostalgic, this creamy pea salad recipe always hits the spot.
Cucumber and Pineapple Salad with Hot Honey
This is quite possibly the easiest salad you'll ever make, and it's SO delicious. Save this one for your next barbecue!
Ingredients
- 1 english cucumber, chopped
- 1 small pineapple, chopped
- 2 tablespoon chopped cilantro
- 1-2 tablespoon hot honey (more or less to taste)
- a pinch of salt, or to taste
Instructions
- Mix all the ingredients together and serve!
Notes
Start with 1 tablespoon of hot honey, taste and add more if you like. You can also place some next to the salad if guests would like to add even more.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 40Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 23mgCarbohydrates: 11gFiber: 1gSugar: 9gProtein: 0g
This data was provided and calculated by Nutritionix.
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