Fresh Cucumber Salsa

Got cucumbers? This recipe is adored by all who have tried it! My cucumber salsa is crisp, fresh, and a delicious alternative to regular salsa or pico de Gallo recipes. 

This recipe has been on my website since 2017, and today it’s getting a little refresh with some new photos! Over the last few years, I have made this recipe a lot! My oldest son is crazy about gardening, and when the cucumbers start coming, they are abundant! This Cucumber Salsa recipe comes to the table as an appetizer, a topping, or a side for so many dishes. I know you are sure to love it too, if you aren’t one of the thousands of people who have already tried it!

Fresh Cucumber Salsa Recipe (with Ranch + Rotel)

When the cucumbers in the garden are coming in faster than I can keep up, this fresh cucumber salsa recipe is one of the first things I make. It’s the perfect way to use up all those ripe cucumbers, whether you’re picking them fresh or grabbing a few at your local grocery store or farmer’s market. This easy recipe blends crisp cucumbers with fresh tomatoes, red onion, jalapeño pepper, and cilantro for a refreshing twist on traditional tomato salsa, with a little help from a Ranch packet and a can of Rotel for extra flavor.

It’s a little bit salsa, a little bit salad. Cool and crunchy, with just the right amount of kick, this tasty cucumber salsa is the kind of thing you’ll find yourself craving on a hot summer day. Whether you’re scooping it with tortilla chips, piling it onto fish tacos, or spooning it over a grilled chicken breast, there’s no wrong way to enjoy it.

What Type of Cucumber Should I Use?

I’ve made this recipe with all kinds of cucumbers, English cucumbers, garden cucumbers, even hothouse cucumbers. The important thing is to choose ones with a thin skin and a lot of water content. That fresh, juicy crunch is what makes this salsa so satisfying. You don’t even need to peel them, just give them a good wash and chop them into small pieces.

If your cucumbers are extra seedy, you can scoop some of the seeds out with a spoon to keep the salsa from getting watery, but I usually just leave them as-is. This works great with grape tomatoes or Roma tomatoes, too.

Ingredients in the Best Cucumber Salsa

For the complete ingredients, please scroll to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post. 

• Chopped cucumbers (leave the skin on for crunch and color)
• A juicy tomato, or a handful of chopped grape tomatoes, or Roma tomatoes
• Finely chopped red onion (or swap in white onion or green onions if that’s what you have)
• A chopped jalapeño pepper, remove the seeds if you like it milder, or toss in a second one for heat
• Chopped fresh cilantro
• One can of Rotel, undrained, for that zesty base
• A packet of ranch dressing mix for an herby boost
• A splash of white wine vinegar or lemon juice for acidic balance (or try fresh lime juice)
• A sprinkle of sea salt, black pepper, and a pinch of garlic powder

How to Make Cucumber Salsa

This cucumber salsa comes together with simple pantry and fresh ingredients. There is no need to pull out the food processor. 

Start by chopping all of your fresh vegetables and herbs, and add them to a large mixing bowl. Pour in the Rotel, don’t drain it, and then sprinkle in the ranch packet. Add the vinegar, a little salt, and pepper, and stir everything together until it’s well combined.

Cover the bowl and let it chill in the fridge for several hours or even overnight. It gives the salsa time to marinate and the flavors to blend. The cucumbers stay crisp, and that mix of citrus juices, herbs, and spices just gets better with time.

Store any leftovers in an airtight container. This will keep well in the fridge for about 4 days.

Love it? Pin It!

If you can’t wait to try this Cucumber Salsa recipe, make sure you can find it! Pin it to your favorite Pinterest recipe board before you go!

Serving Cucumber Pico de Gallo

This Mexican cucumber salsa is one of those favorite recipes you’ll turn to again and again because it’s just so versatile. It’s technically a pico de Gallo, but it acts like a spicy cucumber salad or a dip, depending on how you serve it.

Here are some of our favorite ways to enjoy it:

• Tortilla chips: The obvious, and most delicious, choice.
• Pita chips or crackers for something a little different.
• Spooned on top of grilled chicken, fish, or shrimp.
• As a fresh topping for fish tacos or burrito bowls.
• Piled onto a green salad for a bright, crunchy topping.
• Eat it straight from a bowl with a fork! Yes, it’s that good!

If you want to add even more richness, try serving it with a little avocado or sour cream on the side or stirred right into the bowl. It adds a creamy balance to the crisp veggies and tangy flavors.

More Recipes to Love

​If you love a fresh salsa recipe, you are sure to love my Pico de Gallo pictured above. But if you have happened upon this post when tomatoes aren’t at their peak, my Blender Salsa is a wonderful alternative and tastes so much like your favorite Mexican restaurant salsa. If fruit salsa is your thing, be sure to check out my Tropical Fruit Salsa recipe!

If cucumber salads have your attention, I have many here on my site. Some of my favorites are: Cucumber Ranch Salad (pictured above), Greek Cucumber Salad, or my Cucumber Tomato Salad. And if you find yourself with an abundance of cucumbers, make sure you give my Easy Sweet & Spicy Refrigerator Pickles a try!

A Great Way to Enjoy Fresh Veggies

This homemade salsa is such a great way to use up a bumper crop of cucumbers or make the most of what’s in season. It’s a healthy snack packed with fresh veggies, made from simple ingredients, and an easy way to switch things up from your usual traditional salsa or dip.

This recipe was originally posted on August 21, 2017. It has been updated to improve user experience and reshared on July 15, 2025.