Keto Cucumber Salsa (Bright, Crunchy, Do-Ahead)

Bright, citrusy, and genuinely crunchy, this is all you need to get a fiesta going. Keto cucumber salsa is easy to make and does not have to be tomato-based to bring the flavor.

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This goes great on low-carb tortilla chips, or spooned over any grilled or smoked meat. It is also a genuinely easy make-ahead dish.

Look for English cucumbers specifically, sometimes called hothouse cucumbers, for the best flavor and texture here.

Chef Jenn’s Take on Cucumber Salsa

Do not add the salt and pepper until you are close to serving, salted cucumbers start releasing water fast and will turn the salsa watery.

Use English cucumbers specifically, the skin is edible and adds real fiber and color, and they are seedless and more flavorful than the waxy kind you find in the regular produce aisle. If all you have is a waxy cucumber, peel it and scoop out the seeds with a spoon first. Control the jalapeno heat by removing the seeds and the white membrane before chopping, and start with just half a jalapeno, tasting before you add more. Not a cilantro fan? Skip it and use parsley instead, this dish genuinely needs some fresh herb in it.

In my own restaurant kitchen, we used a specialty chopping tool to make quick work of all this dicing, though a good sharp knife and a bit of patience work just fine too.

This is genuinely versatile, serve it with low-carb tortilla chips, spoon it over grilled or smoked meat, add a scoop to a salad, or serve it alongside baked fish.

What You’ll Love About Cucumber Salsa

• Versatile enough for chips, tacos, grilled meat, or seafood.
• Bright, citrusy, and genuinely crunchy, no tomato base required.
• A genuinely easy make-ahead dish, just hold the salt until serving.

Ingredients

• English Cucumbers – Skin left on, for fiber and color. Waxy cucumber works too, peeled and seeded.
• Cilantro – Fresh, chopped. Parsley works as a substitute if you’re not a fan.
• Jalapeno – Seeded, with the white membrane removed for milder heat. Start with half if unsure.
• Green pepper – Chopped.
• Garlic – Fresh is best.
• Lime – Fresh squeezed.
• Red onion – Finely diced.
• Salt and pepper

How To Make This Keto Cucumber Salsa Recipe

Scroll down for the full recipe card with exact measurements and printable instructions.

Wash the cucumber and trim the ends off. Using a sharp knife, cut the cucumber in half and then cut each section in half again, but this time horizontally. You want to cut the cut into 3 planks.

Dice the cucumber. When you’ve got your planks cut, lay each flat and cut each plank lengthwise to create long strips of cucumber. Then, cut these strips the other way to create diced cucumber.

Chop the green pepper, the red onion, and the cilantro. Mince the garlic. Seed and finely dice the jalapeno.

Mix all your veg together and add the lime juice. Season with salt and pepper but not until you’re close to serving or your cucumbers could get watery.

Make It A Meal

This is the perfect topping for Beef Barbacoa, or a scoop of it over a salad adds real flavor.

For more cucumber recipes, Cucumber, Tomato & Avocado Salad and Shrimp Salad with Dill & Cucumbers are both worth trying, and Broccoli Salad with Bacon rounds out a bigger spread.

Storage

Store in an airtight container in the fridge for a few days, after that it starts to wilt and lose its crunch. This does not freeze well, cucumbers have too much water content to survive freezing and thawing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Want Even MOre Delicious Keto REcipes?

These are some of my current favorites:

• Crack Cauliflower
• Beefy minestrone soup
• Grilled vegetables
• And this dump-and-go Instant Pot classic

Having trouble counting carbs? Check out this handy calculator.