Ensalada de Pepino Estilo Cuernavaca
This rustic Mexican cucumber salad, called ensalada de pepino in Spanish, is popular in the city of Cuernavaca, Morelos about 45 minutes south of Mexico City. Serve it as a side dish for carne asada or grilled fish.
In Cuernavaca, it is always paired with another dish although it’s great on its own too. It’s perfect on a warm summer afternoon.
This salad only has four ingredients, five if you count the salt: cucumber, white onion, Mexican oregano, and lime juice. You might think a four-ingredient salad sounds dull but it’s not.
It’s bright, fresh, and has a surprisingly bold flavor. The secret is Mexican oregano which has a sharper flavor than Mediterranean oregano.
The sharp flavor of the oregano is balanced nicely by the mild flavor of the cucumber. It only takes a few minutes to make.
A Quick Salad
This is a great salad to prepare if you are short on time. It only takes 10 minutes to make and you probably have all of the ingredients on hand.
Cuernavaca Style Cucumber Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 cucumbers
- 1 large white onion
- 2 tsp. Mexican oregano
- 4 Mexican limes
- ½ tsp. salt + to taste
Instructions
- Scrub the cucumbers and peel.
- Cut the onion into ¼" rings then cut the rings in half to make long strips.
- Slice the cucumber into ¼" rounds.
- Put the cucumber and onion into a large mixing bowl.
- Sprinkle with the 2 teaspoons of Mexican oregano.
- Squeeze the juice of the 2 limes onto the vegetables.
- Sprinkle with salt to taste.
- Gently toss the salad to evenly distribute the oregano, salt, and lime juice.
- Cover the mixing bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.
- Serve chilled.
Notes
- Serve chilled.
- This is not a dainty salad. Be sure to cut cucumbers and onion are cut into substantial slices, about ¼″ thick.
- It’s is best served the same day that you make it but it will keep for a day in the refrigerator.
- Use Mexican oregano if possible. It has a stronger, sharper taste compared to the taste of Mediterranean oregano. Look for it in the Mexican section of the grocery store. It shouldn’t be too difficult to find.
- You can substitute 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar for the lime juice if you prefer.
Nutrition
More Mexican Salads
plasterers bristol says
This sounds lovely. Going to give this a go. thanks for sharing this recipe.
Simon
Douglas Cullen says
Simon,
Let us know what you think about the recipe after you have tried it.
SL says
The ingredients call for 4 limes, but the directions say squeeze the juice from the 2 limes. So, how many limes are needed? 2 or 4?
Diana says
Really good. Second time I made it. I think you can’t go wrong with this if you have lovely cukes in season.
Jen says
Wow! Beautiful flavors, this is definitely a keeper.
My local supermarket doesn’t have much by way of variety, so I used conventional lime and fresh oregano. So good and so simple!
Douglas Cullen says
Glad you liked the recipe! For having so few ingredients the flavor is surprising. Cheers!