Cranberry Pecan Cucumber Salad
Ready in 10 minutes, this cranberry pecan cucumber salad is a fresh and simple side dish for Fall! Sweet, salty and crunchy, it’s the perfect compliment to any meal. Vegetarian and gluten free, with a dairy free / vegan option.
If you have been reading this blog for a decent amount of time, you probably know how I feel about weeknight side dishes. They are the bane of my existence!
Now, don’t get me wrong, I love roasted veggies with just about any meal. But sometimes you need to switch things up. And sometimes you don’t have the time to wait for them to cook in the oven. <— Truth.
So, with the holidays approaching and the lazy days of summer long behind us, let’s chat a super fast side dish for fall. This cranberry pecan cucumber salad!
We’re talking 10 minutes from start to finish.
We’re talking simple, simple, simple prep. Just a small bit of slicing and tossing everything together.
It’s crunchy, salty and sweet.
Plus, it’s just kinda pretty. And we all know how I feel about pretty food. Major love.
Tips & Tricks For This Cranberry Cucumber Salad
- Like with all salads, feel free to play around with the ingredient amounts to get it to your taste. Salads are totally like sandwiches in my opinion – we all have different sweet spots.
- Not feeling the cucumber? Use your favorite greens instead.
- I absolutely adore this dressing for all things fall. Between the maple syrup and the apple cider vinegar, it’s just too darn perfect. I typically make a double batch and keep in the fridge to have on hand (it’s delicious with other salads, etc. as well).
Additional Side Dishes You Might Enjoy:
- Green Goddess Cucumber Tomato Salad
- Watermelon Salad with Sriracha Vinaigrette
- Spinach Salad with Fresh Cranberry Vinaigrette
- Greek Salad with Roasted Vegetables
Did you make this recipe? Rate and review it down below! I’d love to hear from you.
Cranberry Pecan Cucumber Salad
Ready in 10 minutes, this cranberry pecan cucumber salad is a fresh and simple side dish for Fall! Sweet, salty and crunchy, it’s the perfect compliment to any meal. Vegetarian and gluten free, with a dairy free / vegan option.
Ingredients
For the dressing:
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- pinch of pepper
- ¼ cup olive oil
For the salad:
- 2 medium cucumbers, peeled and thinly sliced
- ⅓ to ½ cup thinly sliced red onion
- ⅓ cup raw pecans, chopped
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- 2 ounces goat cheese, crumbled*
Instructions
For the dressing:
- Add all the ingredients for the dressing to a small bowl. Whisk vigorously to combine.
For the salad:
- Add the cucumbers, red onion, pecans and cranberries to a large bowl. Pour in the desired amount of dressing (I usually use about half to three quarters) and toss to combine.
- Top with the goat cheese. Serve immediately!
Notes
*To keep this dairy free / vegan - omit the goat cheese. Season with additional salt to taste and / or add a fresh herb to the mix to pump up the flavor. Chopped basil or parsley would be lovely here.
Extra salad dressing can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 323Total Fat: 23gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 18gCholesterol: 7mgSodium: 202mgCarbohydrates: 29gFiber: 3gSugar: 23gProtein: 4g
Nutrition data shown is an estimate provided by an online calculator and is for informational purposes only. It should not be considered a substitute for a medical professional’s advice.
A different and good sounding salad for fall.
I’m so bad at side dishes, but this is so simple and delicious! Has a bunch of my favorite things, too! Gotta try this soon 🙂
What a great salad idea! I love including dried cranberries and cherries in my salads… plus they’re perfect for some holiday season flair.
Feel you on the side dishes – sometimes it’s like what am I going to eat with this?? This salad solves that issue without a doubt. Also, it’s so perfect for Thanksgiving!!
haha yes exactly!! Thanks Jessica!
Woah! What a pretty looking colorful and festive salad. Cucumber and cranberry sound like a great pairing. Such a lovely fresh treat. Hope you are having a great weekend.
What a beautiful salad! Wouldn’t it be perfect for Christmas? Love it!
Yes, definitely! Thanks Jess!
I am all about crunchy-salty-sweet when it comes to salads too and this looks delish! I love this take on cucumber salad – I’ve never thought to add any sort of fun and tasty mix-in to the tradition cucumber and onion salad. Can’t wait to give this one a try!
I really loved the dressing Ashley…super healthy and delicious!!!
Thank you!!
i love every single thing in this salad. great job!! 🙂 🙂 🙂 normally i’m not a cucumber salad girl because that creamy dressing isn’t my thing, but i can do maple!
I love that you paired cucumbers and cranberry together! Beautiful
Ooo this looks so delicious and so easy! Like you I love my roasted veggies, but sometimes I’m too impatient to wait for them to cook 😛
haha when I’m hangry, I have no patience!!
Love this…I mean, I love using the oven to bake and roast but some times you need something quick and you need a break. This is a lovely fresh salad with some much texture. You nailed it. : )
Yes, exactly! Thanks Monica – have a great weekend!!
This looks wonderful! You really did a great job inventing something new!
Looks so healty and delicious! Thank you for the post!!
I love that there’s maple syrup in the dressing!! This sounds amazing!
This is so uncomplicated but kinda radical! I love the cranberries and pecans together and the cucumbers sound so delicious as an addition 🙂
Well thank you!! 🙂
Haha, yes! I am always making the same few side dishes over and over too! This pretty and festive salad is a great way to switch things up! So simple and refreshing!
I don’t know what it is about normal sides – I have so much trouble breaking out of my normal routine!! lol Thanks Kelly!
What a fun summer-fall mashup! I love cucumber salads in any way shape or form so this is perfect for me!
I agree- this is so pretty! I love the mix of green and red for the holidays. Looks like a fun change of pace from the same old roasted veggies, which I am also guilty of eating on repeat. Whoops. 😉
They very rarely get old!! 🙂 Or let’s be real, never get old! lol
With so much Fall comfort food on the menu I’m really like your fresh dish! This is a perfect side dish but also a great healthy lunch!
I live for sides too, Ashley! Lot’s of times my side ends up as my main, that’s how much I heart side dishes. FOREVER. I love this salad!! HECK YES to the holy trifecta! Plus I’m digging how quick and easy this is to make! I definitely see this beauty in my future. 😉 Cheers!
haha the trifecta is everything!! 🙂
Ashley – gosh this salad is a feast for a texture lover like myself – and, that maple cider dressing is the perfect accompaniment to the pecans and goat cheese! The lazy days of summer are far from behind us here in GA (where it’s 86 today) and supa quick salads like this are exactly what I need this evening!
Same here! It was cool out when I wrote this and today it’s in the mid-80s! Crazy.
Such a great salad! I love the combo of flavours, Ashley.
Love how simple, uncomplicated yet pretty this salad it! (and so festive because of the walnuts & cranberries!)
Very pretty! I like all the crunch going on in this salad! Looks like a perfect fall salad!
Giiiiirl, I am ON this like white on rice! I’m always game for a stellar side, and I’m loving this 10-minute cranberry-cucumber delight. Bring on the crunchy, salty, sweet!
haha thanks Julia!
The cucumber is such a great idea! So refreshing and light with the cranberry and pecan flavors!
Sometimes it can be so hard to think of a new side dish or to switch to something new! I think you nailed it with this salad, though. Love the cranberries and pecans in here! This looks perfect for fall and Thanksgiving, too!
Tell me about it! It’s just like habit with the maybe two things I make on a regular basis! Thanks Gayle!