Nightshade Free Pineapple Cucumber Salad with Ginger-Lime Dressing
Bright, juicy, and refreshingly light, this fruit-and-vegetable salad is the kind of dish that looks like it took way more effort than it actually did. Sweet pineapple chunks and cool cucumber slices come together in a way that feels almost tropical, while thinly sliced red onion adds just enough sharpness to keep things interesting. The ginger-lime dressing is the real star — whisked together in minutes, it brings a citrusy zing and a warm, earthy depth from freshly grated ginger and ground turmeric. Torn mint leaves folded in at the end make every bite feel clean and vibrant. For anyone navigating a nightshade-free lifestyle, salads and dressings can be a minefield of hidden tomato, paprika, or pepper-based ingredients — this one sidesteps all of that with nothing but whole, straightforward produce and pantry staples. The optional cayenne is the only ingredient that touches that territory, and it's easy to leave out entirely without losing any of the dish's appeal. A handful of dry-roasted pumpkin seeds scattered on top adds a satisfying crunch that makes this feel like a complete, craveable side rather than an afterthought.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the salad
- 3 cups fresh pineapple, cut into ¾-inch chunks
- 1 large english cucumber (about 12 oz), halved lengthwise and sliced ¼-inch thick
- ¼ cup red onion, very thinly sliced
- ¼ cup fresh mint leaves, roughly torn
For the dressing
- 3 tbsp fresh lime juice (from about 2 limes)
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, finely grated
- 1 tsp honey
- ¼ tsp ground turmeric
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 pinch cayenne pepper (optional)
Can be omittedcayenne pepper
For serving
- 2 tbsp dry-roasted pumpkin seeds (optional)
Instructions
- 1
In a small bowl, whisk together the lime juice, extra virgin olive oil, grated ginger, honey, turmeric, salt, and cayenne, if using, until the dressing is smooth and uniform in color.
- 2
In a large mixing bowl, combine the pineapple chunks, cucumber slices, and red onion.
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