This viral Jalapeno Popper Cucumber Salad is a refreshing twist on a classic side dish that can elevate your barbeque parties or be used as a light snack. It combines the spicy goodness of jalapenos and the rich, tangy flavour of cream cheese with the crisp, cool crunch of cucumbers.
The Jalapeño Cucumber Salad is both luscious and satisfying! It beautifully blends all the signature jalapeño popper ingredients into a deliciously flavourful salad.
Keep things interesting by tossing this fresh cucumber salad in your lunch for a refreshing crunch, enjoy it as a light snack when you are craving something quick and zesty that requires only 5 minutes to prepare or serve it as a side dish.
Love the jalapeno popper flavor? Try my Jalapeno Popper Wonton Cups.
During summer, this crisp cucumber paired with the cool, creamy salad dressing is incredibly refreshing!
This refreshing creamy cucumber salad will complement my Sourdough Grilled Cheese Sandwich, Chicken Schnitzel, Salt & Pepper Chicken Wings and Greek Meatballs amazingly.
Table of Content
About The Viral Cucumber Salad
This vibrant salad has blown up all over social media, particularly TikTok, where food lovers have been rolling out recreation after recreation of this delicious concept.
Grocery stores have seen a huge surge of people rushing to the cucumber section lately. Honestly, who could have ever imagined that cucumbers would start getting sold out?
The kickstart of this trend came from Logan Moffitt, better known as @logagm or the "cucumber guy".
Even if you aren't chronically online, you might have come across his viral catchphrase, "Sometimes, you just need to eat an entire cucumber."
Well, since we all struggle with being hydrated and including enough veggies in our diet, Logan has definitely made things simpler for us.
We have had the smashed cucumber era, we have seen the spiralized cucumber trend, and who can forget the spicy Korean cucumber salad that absolutely took social media by a storm just 2 years ago. It's time to shake things up with a new cucumber craze!
The viral recipe uses a plastic deli container, a mandoline (or spelled mandolin) to slice the cucumber, and MSG.
From the most recreated smoked salmon and chive cream cheese/salmon bagel version, to the well-loved Din Tai Fung cucumber salad, this TikTok trend hype has certainly sparked salad lovers' creativity!
This version is super easy and quick to whip up - a unique twist on the jalapeno poppers in salad form! It's also low-carb and keto-friendly.
No more gatekeeping. Here is my version of the viral cucumber salad!
Ingredients & Substitutions
See recipe card for quantities.
- Cucumbers - Persian cucumbers are best for this cucumber jalapeno salad. They are not bitter and are also thin skinned so there's no need to peel them. They provide the perfect base and give a nice crunch. You can also use English cucumbers.
- Onions - Diced red onions bring a touch of sweetness and a bit of a bite.
- Jalapeno - Here's where the heat comes in which makes this dish absolutely stellar. My preference is fresh jalapeno since it gives the salad a spicy punch. You can also use pickled jalapeno if you want. And if you like it hot, you can always toss in more!
- Cream Cheese - this adds the creamy goodness we all love! My preference is cream cheese with herbs but feel free to play around with any other type that you like. Cream cheese with chives would work well too!
- Greek Yogurt - A dollop of Greek yogurt (or sour cream) gives a tangy flavour that perfectly balances out the heat from the jalapeno.
- Garlic Powder - or freshly minced garlic if you like the sharpness.
- Smoked Paprika - The original Logan recipes uses bacon bits which are available in vegan version too. But since I am not fond of the flavour I subbed with paprika for the smokey flavour.
- Sea Salt - a pinch of flaky sea salt really amps up the salad. You can sub with Himalayan pink salt.
- Cheddar Cheese - Let's be honest, cheese makes everything better! Use freshly grated cheddar cheese for the best taste or use pre-shredded to save time. You can also use Feta, Mozzarella, or Pecorino Romano.
- Soya Sauce - I have used soya sauce instead of MSG to bring out the classic umami flavour. However, this step is optional and you can totally skip it too!
- Sesame seeds - For garnishing, add a sprinkle of sesame seeds (black and/or white) for crunch and nuttiness. You can also use poppy seeds.
How To Make Cucumber Salad
This recipe is incredibly simple to make and super versatile. Let's start!
- Slice the cucumbers with a knife or a mandoline into ½ cm (¼") thick rounds.
- Add these cucumbers plus all the other ingredients besides sesame seeds to a mixing bowl or a jar.
- Toss well or cover the jar with a lid and shake it until the cream cheese dressing evenly coats everything.
- Transfer the jalapeno popper cucumber salad onto a serving plate and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Enjoy cold!
TOP TIP: Even though "shaking in a soup container" is a viral part of the Logan recipe, after trying multiple versions, I find tossing in a bowl with chopsticks or utensils distributes the dressing better. The thick cream cheese is hard to mix and vigorous shaking ends up breaking the cucumbers.
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Variations
Here are some other fun ways you can customize your cucumber salad:
- You can use other cucumber salad recipes by Logan, like his original version which uses fish oil, sesame seeds, sesame oil, cucumber, scallions, sugar, and MSG.
- Make the viral smoked salmon bagel version by adding smoked salmon or the California roll version by adding ranch and vegan bacon bits!
- Add some protein like grilled chicken, tofu, hard boiled eggs or even chickpeas to make the salad more wholesome.
- You can also use fresh dill to liven up the dish and add more herbiness.
- Use balsamic vinaigrette as a salad dressing to elevate its notes. Or add some lime or lemon juice for extra tanginess!
- You can totally adjust the amount of heat in the salad. Use more jalapenos for a spicier kick, or reduce them for a milder punch.
Serving Ideas
Enjoy this jalapeno popper cucumber salad as a quick snack, amp up your lunches as a tasty side dish, or bring it along to any picnic party or cookout!
Here are some of the dishes that will pair perfectly with this creamy salad:
- Fried food like Chicken Schnitzel, Salt & Pepper Chicken Wings and Crispy Zinger Burger.
- Balance the heat in Pakistani dishes by serving it with Bihari Kabab, Chapli Kebab and Murgh Musallam (Stuffed Roast Chicken).
- Or combine it with lighter sides like Greek Meatballs (Keftedes), German Potato Pancakes, Grilled Cheese Sandwich and Spicy Fish Nuggets for a hearty meal.
FAQ
This cucumber craze originated in Canada, courtesy of TikToker Logan Moffit, now popularly known as "the cucumber guy," who has been sharing cucumber salad recipes.
His videos kick off with the viral catchphrase, "Sometimes you just have to eat an entire cucumber." Since then, countless other creators have jumped on the bandwagon, adding their own unique twists to cucumber salads.
To store this creamy cucumber salad, place it in an airtight container and refrigerate. It's best to eat it within 1 day, as the cucumbers may release water and the dressing can become runny over time. Stir before serving again.
Yes, you can peel the cucumbers for the salad, but it's based on your preference. I recommend with the peel, as it adds texture and colour.
No, a mandoline is not necessary for making cucumber salad, but it helps achieve thin, even slices quickly. You can use a sharp knife as an alternative.
If you are using a mandolin please be VERY careful and use a handguard!
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📖 Recipe
Jalapeno Popper Cucumber Salad
Ingredients
- 2 Persian cucumbers
- ½ red onion
- 1 jalapeno
- 3-4 tablespoon cream cheese preferably with herbs
- 1 tablespoon Greek yogurt or sour cream
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ⅓ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon coarse sea salt
- 3-4 tablespoon sharp cheddar cheese
- ¼ teaspoon soy sauce regular or light (optional)
- Sesame seeds black & white (for garnish)
Equipment
- mandoline optional
Instructions
- Slice the cucumber without peeling it with a mandolin or by a sharp knife on a cutting board. Make ½ cm (¼") thick slices.
- Add the sliced cucumbers to a mixing bowl or a jar.
- Dice the red onions and jalapenos and add them on top of the cucumbers.
- Add the cream cheese, greek yogurt, garlic powder, smoked paprika, flaky sea salt, and cheddar cheese. Top these with a splash of soya sauce.
- Give everything a good toss in the bowl, or if you're using a jar, pop on the lid and shake it up until the creamy dressing coats everything evenly.
- Transfer the salad onto a serving plate and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Enjoy cold!
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Notes
- Instead of using a jar, opt for a mixing bowl for this salad. A jar doesn't distribute the cream cheese evenly, and shaking it too much can mush the cucumbers.
- Chill the salad for 15-20 minutes before serving so that the cucumbers absorb the maximum flavour.
Nutrition
PIN IT FOR LATER
Rick Lothrop says
Can you the night before
Qashang says
Yes, you can make it the night before! For best texture, store the cucumbers and the creamy dressing separately and toss together before serving. If fully mixed ahead, it may release a little water but will still taste great.
Ashley says
How do you keep the salt from making the cucumbers sweat water out and end up making a cucumber soup?
Qashang says
I add the salt right before serving. You can also deseed the cucumbers or lightly pat them dry to avoid excess water.
Jal says
Best recipe, loved it!