Xanthan Gum Free Pineapple Cucumber Salad with Ginger-Lime Dressing
Bright, juicy, and refreshingly light, this tropical salad brings together sweet pineapple, crisp cucumber, and a zippy ginger-lime dressing that tastes like it took way more effort than it did. The dressing is whisked together from scratch using real lime juice, fresh grated ginger, olive oil, honey, and a touch of turmeric — no thickeners or stabilizers needed, because the balance of ingredients does all the work naturally. That makes it a genuinely clean option for anyone avoiding additives like xanthan gum, which can sneak into bottled dressings and pre-made sauces. Torn fresh mint folded in at the end adds an herby brightness that ties the whole bowl together, and a handful of dry-roasted pumpkin seeds on top gives it a satisfying little crunch. The optional pinch of cayenne is a small move that pays off big if you enjoy a subtle kick against all that sweetness. This is the kind of salad that disappears fast at a summer table, but it's easy enough to throw together on a weeknight when you want something vibrant without a lot of fuss.
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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)
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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