Side Dishes

Viral TikTok Cucumber & Bell Pepper Salad Recipe

ByNaya Baker February 19, 2026February 19, 2026

Introduction

This vibrant Cucumber & Bell Pepper Salad became a viral hit on TikTok for good reason. It’s fresh, crunchy, and packed with bold flavors from chili crisp oil and savory seasonings. Perfect as a light snack or a colorful side dish.

A white oval plate holds a fresh salad consisting of three main layers: at the bottom, round green cucumber slices with dark green skin and translucent light green centers; the middle layer features rings of small red, orange, and yellow bell peppers, all brightly colored and slightly glossy; on top, small green basil leaves add a fresh touch. The salad is sprinkled with black and white sesame seeds and a few crushed chili flakes. Two twisted wooden salad servers rest on the right side of the plate. The setting includes a glass of water with a woven holder on the left, a jar of dark chili sauce with a wooden spoon next to it, a small dish of sesame seeds below, and a bowl of red and yellow bell peppers in the top right corner, all placed on a white marbled surface with a white cloth nearby. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

3-4 mini cucumbers, sliced
6-7 mini bell peppers (orange, red, yellow), sliced
2 tablespoons chili crisp oil (such as Fly By Zing)
1/4 cup ginger sesame dressing (Braggs recommended)
2 1/2 teaspoons Everything But The Bagel seasoning (add more to taste)

Instructions

Step 1: Slice the cucumbers and mini bell peppers into thin circles for even texture and flavor.
Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the sliced cucumbers, bell peppers, chili crisp oil, ginger sesame dressing, and Everything But The Bagel seasoning. Toss well to coat.
Step 3: Chill the salad in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld and to serve it refreshingly cold.
Step 4 (Optional): For a protein boost, serve the salad over 1 cup of cottage cheese if you are not avoiding dairy.

Tips & Variations

Try adding fresh herbs like cilantro or mint for extra brightness.
Swap the ginger sesame dressing for a light vinaigrette if you prefer a less creamy option.
Adjust the amount of Everything But The Bagel seasoning to suit your taste—start with less and add more gradually.

Storage

Store the salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The vegetables will stay crisp and fresh. Give it a quick toss before serving again. If serving over cottage cheese, keep them separate until ready to eat.

How to Serve

A white oval plate holds a fresh salad with two main layers: the bottom layer is made of bright green cucumber slices, thick and glossy, arranged all over the plate, and the top layer consists of colorful mini bell pepper rings in red, yellow, and orange, scattered evenly. The salad is sprinkled with small black and white sesame seeds and bits of seasoning, adding texture and contrast. Three small green basil leaves are placed on top for a fresh touch. On the right side of the plate, close to the edge, sit two long wooden salad servers with a twisted handle design. The plate is set on a white marbled surface, with a small glass bowl of dark sauce with a wooden spoon to the lower left, a wooden bowl of sesame seeds nearby, and a glass of water at the upper left. A white cloth is casually placed to the lower right corner. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular cucumbers instead of mini cucumbers?

Yes, regular cucumbers work well. Just slice them thinly to keep the texture similar and ensure the flavors blend nicely.

Is there a substitute for chili crisp oil?

If you don’t have chili crisp oil, you can use chili oil or a drizzle of sesame oil with a pinch of red pepper flakes for a similar spicy, savory kick.

Viral TikTok Cucumber & Bell Pepper Salad Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 72 reviews

This Viral TikTok Cucumber & Bell Pepper Salad is a refreshing, crunchy, and flavorful dish that combines sliced mini cucumbers and colorful mini bell peppers with a spicy chili crisp oil and tangy ginger sesame dressing. Tossed with everything bagel seasoning, it’s a perfect light snack or side dish that’s easy to prepare and can be enjoyed chilled.

Author: Naya
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes (including chilling time)
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Category: Salad
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

Scale

Vegetables

3–4 mini cucumbers, sliced into thin circles
6–7 mini bell peppers (orange, red, yellow), sliced into thin circles

Dressings & Seasonings

2 tablespoons chili crisp oil (such as Fly By Zing)
1/4 cup ginger sesame dressing (e.g., Bragg’s)
2 1/2 teaspoons Everything But The Bagel Seasoning (adjust to taste)

Optional

1 cup cottage cheese (for serving, not dairy-free)

Instructions

Slice the Vegetables: Thinly slice the mini cucumbers and mini bell peppers into circular pieces to ensure crisp texture and even flavor distribution in the salad.
Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, add the sliced cucumbers and bell peppers along with chili crisp oil, ginger sesame dressing, and Everything But The Bagel seasoning. Toss thoroughly to evenly coat all the vegetables.
Chill the Salad: Place the tossed salad into the refrigerator and chill for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and to enhance the refreshing crispness of the vegetables.
Serve: Serve chilled as a light, flavorful snack or side dish. Optionally, serve over 1 cup of cottage cheese for a protein boost, if not avoiding dairy.

Notes

Store the salad covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days to maintain freshness.
Adjust Everything But The Bagel seasoning quantity to your preferred taste level.
The optional cottage cheese adds protein and creaminess; omit for a dairy-free version.
Make sure to slice vegetables thinly to maximize flavor absorption and texture.
This salad is best served cold for optimal refreshing taste.

Keywords: TikTok salad,Cucumber salad,Bell pepper salad,Chili crisp salad,Ginger sesame dressing,Everything bagel seasoning,No-cook salad,Gluten free snack,Refreshing salad

Naya Baker

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