BHA & BHT Free Apple-Cinnamon Cucumber Relish
Crisp cucumber and tart Granny Smith apple might sound like an unexpected pairing, but together they create something genuinely refreshing — bright, lightly sweet, and just a little spicy from fresh ginger. The dressing comes together in seconds with apple cider vinegar, honey, and a pinch of Ceylon cinnamon, which has a softer, more floral warmth than the cassia variety you'll find in most spice racks. Avoiding BHA and BHT can be trickier than it sounds, since those preservatives hide in everything from packaged spice blends to bottled dressings — but this recipe is built entirely from whole, fresh ingredients with nothing processed in sight. A short rest at room temperature is all it takes for the slices to soak up the dressing and turn silky without losing their snap. Fresh mint stirred in at the end adds an herbal lift that makes the whole thing feel a little more special. Serve it alongside grilled proteins, spoon it over grain bowls, or just eat it straight from the bowl — it holds up beautifully either way.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
- 1 large english cucumber (about 12 oz), thinly sliced into rounds
- 1 medium granny smith apple, cored and thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, finely grated
- ¼ tsp ground ceylon cinnamon
- ¼ tsp fine sea salt
- 1 tbsp fresh mint leaves, thinly sliced (optional)
Instructions
- 1
In a small bowl, whisk together the apple cider vinegar, honey, grated ginger, ground Ceylon cinnamon, and sea salt until the honey is fully dissolved and the dressing is smooth.
- 2
Combine the sliced cucumber and apple in a large mixing bowl. Pour the dressing over the top and toss until every piece is evenly coated.
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