Walnut 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 takes to pull together. The star of the show is a blended dressing made from toasted pumpkin seeds, fresh lemon juice, and ground turmeric — it turns silky and creamy in the blender while delivering a nutty, bright flavor that clings beautifully to every cucumber slice. Toasting the pepitas in a dry skillet first is a small step that pays off big, coaxing out a deeper, richer flavor before they get blended into the dressing. Fresh dill and sliced scallion greens keep things herbaceous and light, making the whole bowl feel clean and refreshing. For anyone navigating tree nut concerns, this recipe is a genuinely satisfying answer — pumpkin seeds deliver that same creamy, rich dressing quality without any of the worry. A quick salt-and-pat technique pulls excess moisture from the cucumbers so the dressing stays luscious rather than watery. Serve it straight from the bowl with a squeeze of lemon and you have a side dish that earns a permanent spot in the 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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