BHA & BHT Free Cucumber Dill Salad with Turmeric Pumpkin Seed Dressing
Cool, crisp, and vibrantly golden, this cucumber salad is the kind of dish that looks far more impressive than the effort it requires. The star of the show is a blended dressing made from toasted pumpkin seeds, fresh lemon juice, and ground turmeric — all whole, recognizable ingredients with no synthetic preservatives hiding anywhere in the mix. That matters more than it might seem, because bottled dressings are one of the sneakiest places BHA and BHT tend to show up, tucked into the fine print of an ingredient label. Making the dressing yourself in a blender takes just a couple of minutes and gives you something genuinely special: a creamy, slightly grainy, nutty emulsion with a warm golden hue and a bright citrus edge. Tossed with salted cucumber slices, fresh dill, and sliced scallion greens, every bite is cooling and herbaceous with just enough earthiness from the turmeric to keep things interesting. A scatter of extra pumpkin seeds on top adds a satisfying crunch and makes the whole bowl look like something you'd order at a nice café. It's an easy, clean-ingredient salad that earns a permanent spot in your warm-weather rotation.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the dressing
- ½ cup raw pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
- 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice (from about 1 large lemon)
- 1 tsp ground turmeric
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper
- ½ tsp fine sea salt
- 2 tbsp water
For the salad
- 2 large english cucumbers (about 1 ½ lb total), thinly sliced
- ¼ cup fresh dill, roughly chopped
- 3 scallions (green tops only), thinly sliced
- ¼ tsp fine sea salt
For serving
- 2 tbsp raw pumpkin seeds (pepitas), for garnish (optional)
- lemon wedges, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Toast the pumpkin seeds in a small dry skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently, until they begin to pop and turn lightly golden, about 3–4 minutes. Watch closely, as they can scorch quickly. Transfer to a plate and let cool for 5 minutes.
- 2
Place the cooled toasted pumpkin seeds, olive oil, lemon juice, turmeric, black pepper, salt, and water in a blender or food processor. Blend until the dressing is mostly smooth with a slightly grainy, creamy texture, about 30–45 seconds. If the dressing is too thick to pour, add water 1 tsp at a time and blend again.
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