Jamaican Cucumber Salad Recipe
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Jamaican Cucumber Salad is a refreshing salad often served at everyday meals in most Caribbean homes. It comes together in 10 minutes using simple ingredients.
Here are some more simple salad recipes you may like: Din Tai Fung Cucumber Salad, Lemon Capellini Salad, Thai Green Papaya Salad, Cajun Potato Salad, and Kale Mango Salad.
★★★★★
“Turned out soooo good!! Followed recipe almost exactly just added more scotch bonnet. I like it spicy lol. 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️”
– Elijah
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Table of Contents
About Jamaican Cucumber Salad
Jamaican Cucumber Salad is a refreshing salad perfect for hot summer days.
It is made in most Caribbean homes for everyday meals using thin slices of fresh cucumbers, red onions, garlic, scotch bonnet chili pepper, and lime juice.
The Caribbean cucumber salad recipe is typically served chilled or at room temperature.
This vegan and gluten-free spicy cucumber salad is great for BBQ, potlucks, summer cookouts, or picnics.
Ingredients
Cucumber – Try Persian cucumbers, which are more flavorful, have thinner skin, and contain fewer seeds than regular cucumbers. Having said that, feel free to use any variety of large cucumbers that are easily available.
You can peel the cucumber or leave the skin on; it’s up to you. I like to keep the skin on because it makes the cucumbers crunchier.
Red Onions – They add a nice flavor and crunch to the salad. If the onions are too bitter, soak them in cold water for 15 minutes to reduce their bitterness. Drain well and use in the recipe.
You can also use white onion for a milder taste.
Scotch Bonnet Peppers – These peppers are very hot and traditionally used in Caribbean cooking. If they are not available, feel free to use any hot pepper, such as habanero or jalapeño, that is readily available.
Make sure to deseed the chilies to reduce the spiciness.
Also, be very careful while handling the chilies and wear gloves if your skin is very sensitive.
Others – You will also need garlic, scallions, freshly squeezed lime juice (or lemon juice), salt, and freshly ground black pepper.
How To Make Jamaican Style Cucumber Salad
Step 1: In a large bowl, transfer the following ingredients.
- 2 English cucumbers (thinly sliced)
- ½ red onion (thinly sliced)
- 1 scallion (chopped)
- 1 teaspoon deseeded and chopped scotch bonnet pepper (or any other hot pepper)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice.
Step 2: Mix well.
Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Variations
Use white vinegar, rice vinegar, or red wine vinegar as a substitute for fresh lime juice.
Add some chopped fresh herbs such as cilantro, parsley, or basil.
Add a tablespoon of brown sugar, honey, maple syrup, or agave nectar for a sweeter version.
Looking for more heat? Add more scotch bonnet peppers, or use a hotter pepper such as habanero or ghost pepper. Proceed with caution, though; these peppers are very hot!
You can also add 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil, sesame oil, avocado oil, or grapeseed oil to the salad.
If you don’t like spicy food, then skip adding the peppers.
This easy cucumber salad can also be topped with green mangoes, cherry tomatoes, green cabbage, and carrots.
Storage Suggestions
This salad is best if eaten the same day it is made. However, it will keep in the fridge for 1-2 days in an airtight container.
Cucumbers are a high-water-content vegetable, and they will release water as they sit in the dressing. If you notice the salad getting watery, drain any excess liquid before serving.
Other Caribbean Recipes We Recommend
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Jamaican Cucumber Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 medium English cucumbers (thinly sliced)
- ½ red onion (thinly sliced, or white onion)
- 1 scallion (chopped)
- 1 teaspoon deseeded and chopped scotch bonnet pepper (or any other hot pepper)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice (or lemon juice)
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, add all the ingredients.
- Mix well.
- Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Turned out soooo good!! Followed recipe almost exactly just added more scotch bonnet. I like it spicy lol. 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Good to know Elijah 🙂