Cucumber Everything Bagel Salad Recipe

If you’re searching for a salad that feels like a bagel shop brunch party in a bowl, look no further than this Cucumber Everything Bagel Salad. It’s a refreshing, crunchy medley of crisp cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, and tangy onions, dotted generously with plush, creamy cheese and showered in everyone’s favorite everything bagel seasoning. Every bite is bold, colorful, and seriously crave-worthy. This salad brings together the best textures and flavors of your morning bagel plate in a lightning-fast dish that absolutely shines at lunch, picnics, or anytime you want something a little extra, with minimal effort!

Cucumber Everything Bagel Salad Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of this salad is in its simplicity—each straightforward ingredient brings something special to the party, whether it’s crunch, creaminess, or that familiar savory bagel flavor. Let’s break it down, so you know exactly why everything in this Cucumber Everything Bagel Salad deserves its spot.

  • Cucumbers: Crisp and hydrating, cucumbers are the star, offering a refreshing bite and the perfect base for soaking up all that seasoning and dressing.
  • Cherry Tomatoes: Halved juicy tomatoes bring a pop of sweetness and color that balances out the savory seasoning and tangy onion.
  • Red Onion: Sliced ultra-thin for a gentle, zesty kick without overpowering the other veggies—if you love a mild onion crunch, you’ll love this!
  • Cream Cheese: Cubed or torn into pieces, the cream cheese brings the bagel vibe, melting slightly into the salad for pockets of creamy, tangy decadence.
  • Everything Bagel Seasoning: You can’t have a Cucumber Everything Bagel Salad without this mix of sesame, poppy, onion, garlic, and salt—it’s the secret to that signature bagel shop flavor!
  • Olive Oil: A good glug coats every bite and helps the seasoning stick, while adding subtle richness.
  • White Wine Vinegar or Lemon Juice: Just a splash lifts the flavors and brightens the salad; choose whichever you have on hand or prefer.
  • Salt & Black Pepper: A finishing sprinkle brings every ingredient to life—taste as you go for the perfect bite.
  • Fresh Dill (optional): The best finishing touch for extra color and classic brunchy aroma—totally optional, but highly recommend if you have it!

How to Make Cucumber Everything Bagel Salad

Step 1: Slice and Prep the Veggies

Start by slicing your cucumbers nice and thin—you want them crisp, not floppy. Halve those cherry tomatoes for juicy bursts throughout the bowl, and slice your red onion as thinly as you can for the perfect hint of tang without overpowering the salad. Take a moment to cube or gently tear your cream cheese into bite-size pieces; this way each forkful gets its fair share of creamy goodness.

Step 2: Mix the Base

Grab your biggest salad bowl (trust me, you’ll want plenty of tossing space) and combine the sliced cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, and red onion. Add in your cubes (or dollops) of cream cheese last, so they stay pleasantly chunky and don’t break down too much. This layering technique helps everything toss evenly, ensuring every serving gets a colorful mix.

Step 3: Whisk the Dressing

In a smaller bowl, whisk together your olive oil and white wine vinegar (or lemon juice) with that magical everything bagel seasoning. Throw in a solid pinch of salt and a crack of black pepper. The mixture should be fragrant and nuanced, smelling irresistible even before it hits the salad. Tasting the dressing before pouring is always a good idea for that chef’s touch!

Step 4: Toss It All Together

Pour the dressing over your veggie and cheese mixture. With a light hand (you don’t want to mash the cream cheese), toss everything together so the vegetables are glossy and each piece of cheese gets dusted with seasoning. Let the assembled Cucumber Everything Bagel Salad rest for 5–10 minutes—this tiny pause allows the flavors to truly meld and makes every bite taste a little more magical.

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

Right before you dig in, scatter some fresh dill over the top for that classic deli flair and a splash of green. Serve immediately and get ready for raves—you officially have the most irresistible salad on the table!

How to Serve Cucumber Everything Bagel Salad

Cucumber Everything Bagel Salad Recipe - Recipe Image

Garnishes

Don’t skip the finishing touches—fresh dill sprinkled on top is a beautiful nod to traditional bagel spreads, and you can add a few extra pinches of everything bagel seasoning if you really want the flavors to pop. For extra crunch and color, a handful of thinly sliced radishes or even a few slices of ripe avocado can take your presentation from simple to show-stopping in seconds.

Side Dishes

This Cucumber Everything Bagel Salad shines as a standalone dish but pairs delightfully with other brunch favorites. Try it alongside scrambled eggs, a platter of smoked salmon, or a stack of toasted bagels and whipped butter for a breakfast-inspired lunch spread. It’s even a hit as part of a light dinner, served with a bowl of soup or some roasted potatoes.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties or picnics, spoon the salad into individual ramekins or mason jars for a grab-and-go starter. You can also serve it family-style on a big platter, with extra everything bagel seasoning and dill on the side for guests to sprinkle as they wish. Or, nestle the salad into lettuce cups for a clever, bite-size twist—perfect for passing around at summer gatherings or potlucks.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you happen to have leftovers, store your Cucumber Everything Bagel Salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The salad holds up well for several hours, though the cucumbers will release a bit of liquid. Give it a gentle toss before serving again, and add a fresh sprinkle of seasoning if needed to perk up the flavor.

Freezing

This salad is best enjoyed fresh and doesn’t freeze well. The ingredients—especially cucumbers and cream cheese—don’t maintain their texture after thawing, becoming watery and less inviting. Stick to making just what you’ll enjoy within a day or so for prime crunch and creaminess.

Reheating

No need to reheat—Cucumber Everything Bagel Salad is meant to be served chilled or at room temperature! If it’s been in the fridge for a bit, simply let it sit out for 10 minutes to take the chill off and revive the flavors before serving.

FAQs

Can I use a different kind of cheese in this salad?

Absolutely! While cream cheese brings that classic bagel vibe, you can substitute with whipped or herbed cream cheese for a new flavor spin, or even try small dollops of ricotta or goat cheese if you want to shake things up a bit.

How do I keep my cucumbers from turning watery?

If you want to prep ahead, you can lightly salt and drain sliced cucumbers for 10 minutes, then pat them dry before assembling the salad. This helps draw out some extra moisture and keeps everything crisp even after sitting for a while.

What’s the best way to make this salad vegan?

It’s easy! Replace the cream cheese with a non-dairy alternative (there are some great cashew-based options out there) and double-check that your everything bagel seasoning is vegan-friendly. The salad will still be rich, satisfying, and full of the same awesome flavors.

Can I add protein to make this a main dish?

Definitely. Toss in some hard-boiled eggs, chickpeas, flaked smoked salmon, or your favorite deli meats if you’d like to bulk it up. The flavors are super versatile and play well with lots of protein options.

Is this Cucumber Everything Bagel Salad gluten-free?

Yes! As long as your everything bagel seasoning is gluten-free (check the label just to be sure), this salad is naturally gluten-free and ready to go for any brunch or lunch guest—no bread required.

Final Thoughts

Give this Cucumber Everything Bagel Salad a try the next time you’re craving big flavor with little fuss. It’s wildly refreshing, endlessly adaptable, and packed with the bagel shop magic we all love. Whip it up, share it with friends, and enjoy every unforgettable bite—you’re officially one step closer to salad stardom!

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Cucumber Everything Bagel Salad Recipe

Cucumber Everything Bagel Salad Recipe


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4.8 from 20 reviews

  • Author: Emma
  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

This Cucumber Everything Bagel Salad is a refreshing and flavorful dish that combines the crunch of cucumbers with the creaminess of cheese, all tossed in a zesty dressing.


Ingredients

Cucumbers:

2 large cucumbers, thinly sliced

Cherry Tomatoes:

1 cup, halved

Red Onion:

¼ small, thinly sliced

Cream Cheese:

½ cup, cubed or torn

Everything Bagel Seasoning:

2 tablespoons

Olive Oil:

2 tablespoons

White Wine Vinegar or Lemon Juice:

1 tablespoon

Salt and Black Pepper:

to taste

Fresh Dill:

for garnish (optional)


Instructions

  1. Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, and red onion. Add cream cheese.
  2. Make Dressing: Whisk olive oil, vinegar or lemon juice, everything bagel seasoning, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
  3. Toss: Pour dressing over salad, toss gently to coat.
  4. Let Sit: Allow flavors to blend for 5–10 minutes.
  5. Garnish: Add fresh dill before serving.

Notes

  • Enhance with avocado or radishes.
  • Try whipped or herbed cream cheese for variation.
  • Best when fresh, but can be chilled for up to 2 hours.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Category: Salad
  • Method: No-Cook
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cup
  • Calories: 180
  • Sugar: 4g
  • Sodium: 430mg
  • Fat: 15g
  • Saturated Fat: 5g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 9g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 7g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 4g
  • Cholesterol: 20mg

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