This viral cucumber salad jar layers crisp cucumber, smoked salmon, herb and garlic cream cheese, capers, and everything bagel seasoning, then you shake it and eat. Naturally gluten free, ready in 5 minutes, and it hits 22g of protein.

Viral cucumber salad jar with smoked salmon and capers, top down

This is the one that turned me into a person who eats a whole cucumber standing at the kitchen counter.

The viral cucumber salad is the TikTok trend started by Logan Moffitt, who everyone calls the cucumber guy, where you slice a full cucumber into a jar, pile on toppings, shake, and dig in. This is my high-protein spin with smoked salmon, herb and garlic cream cheese, capers, fresh dill, and everything bagel seasoning. It comes together in about 5 minutes, it’s naturally gluten free, and it packs 22g of protein, which is why it actually holds me over as a lunch instead of leaving me hungry an hour later.

I keep everything bagel seasoning and a pack of smoked salmon on hand, so on the days I have zero time, I can still throw together a real food lunch all in one jar.

If you love a viral recipe, try my Viral Pickle Sandwich or my Date Bark next.

Whole cucumber salad with smoked salmon and capers in a glass container with chopsticks.

Ingredients For The Viral Cucumber Salad Jar

A short list, mostly from one grocery run. Exact amounts and nutrition are in the recipe card at the bottom.

English cucumber — One whole large cucumber. English cucumbers have thin skin and fewer seeds, so you don’t need to peel them, and they stay crisp.
Smoked salmon — The protein and the flavor. Cold smoked salmon works great, and Costco’s is about as affordable as you can get.
Herb and garlic cream cheese — The creamy layer that makes this feel like a bagel in a jar. Whipped cream cheese is lighter and easier to mix in.
Red onion — Thinly sliced for a sharp bite. Soak it in ice water for 5 minutes first if you want it milder.
Capers — Briny little pops that play off the salmon so well. Drain them first.
Fresh dill — The herb that always belongs with smoked salmon, full stop.
Everything but the Bagel seasoning — The whole reason this tastes like a loaded bagel. Don’t skip it.
Salt and black pepper — Go easy, the salmon, capers, and seasoning are already salty.

How To Make The Viral Cucumber Salad Jar

Grab a mason jar, a deli container, or any jar with a lid.
Slice the whole cucumber thin with a mandoline or a sharp knife, straight into the jar.
Add the thinly sliced red onion on top of the cucumber.
Add a generous layer of herb and garlic cream cheese, then the smoked salmon, capers, and fresh dill.
Finish with a good shake of everything bagel seasoning, salt, and pepper.
Put the lid on and shake until everything is coated and mixed.
Grab a fork and eat straight from the jar, or tip it into a bowl. If you’re taking it to go, the jar keeps it together until you’re ready.

Crisp cucumber salad with smoked salmon and everything bagel seasoning

Tips For The Best Cucumber Salad

Slice the cucumber thinly. A mandoline gives you even slices that soak up the cream cheese and seasoning. Thin is what makes every bite work.
Drain the water if you’re not eating it right away. Cucumbers release a lot of liquid. Salt the slices, let them sit 5 minutes, and pour off the water before adding everything else so it doesn’t go soupy.
Bring the cream cheese to room temp. Cold cream cheese clumps and won’t coat. Softened cream cheese melts into everything when you shake it up.
Chill it for 10 to 15 minutes before eating. It lets the flavors come together and tastes even better cold.
Hold the everything bagel seasoning till the end if you’re prepping ahead, so it stays crunchy instead of dissolving.

Flavor Variations

Mediterranean — Swap the salmon for crumbled feta, add Kalamata olives and cherry tomatoes, and finish with a squeeze of lemon.
Asian-inspired — Skip the cream cheese and make a sauce with soy sauce or tamari, sesame oil, rice vinegar, and a little chili oil. Top with sesame seeds and green onion.
Greek yogurt and herbs — Swap the cream cheese for Greek yogurt mixed with garlic and dill for a lighter, tangier, even higher-protein jar.
Caprese — Use fresh mozzarella instead of salmon, add cherry tomatoes and basil, and drizzle with balsamic glaze.
Swap the protein — Tuna, cooked shrimp, or shredded rotisserie chicken all work in place of the smoked salmon.

Cucumber salad with a whole cucumber and red onion on the side

How To Serve It

This is built for grab-and-go, so the jar is the serving dish. Eat it with a fork straight out of the container at your desk or in the car. At home, tip it into a bowl and add a little extra dill on top.

For a party, build it the other direction as cucumber bites: lay cucumber slices flat, add a dab of the cream cheese, a piece of smoked salmon, and a sprinkle of dill and everything bagel seasoning on each one.

How To Store Leftovers

This is best the day you make it, while the cucumbers are still crisp. If you have leftovers, keep them sealed in the jar in the fridge for up to 2 days, but know the cucumbers will release water and soften the longer they sit.

If you’re making it ahead on purpose, leave it layered and unshaken, and wait to add the everything bagel seasoning and dill until right before you eat so they stay fresh and crunchy.

Close up of viral cucumber salad in a jar with chopsticks

Viral Cucumber Salad FAQ

Who Started The Viral Cucumber Salad Trend?

Logan Moffitt, known online as the cucumber guy, started it on TikTok with his line, “sometimes you just need to eat an entire cucumber.” He posts a new version almost daily, and the whole-cucumber-in-a-jar format took off from there.

Is The Viral Cucumber Salad Healthy?

This version is a whole-food lunch with real protein from the smoked salmon and cream cheese, fiber from the cucumber, and no added sugar. It’s naturally gluten free. The salmon, capers, and everything bagel seasoning do make it salty, so go light on extra salt if that matters for you.

What Is Everything But The Bagel Seasoning?

It’s a blend of sesame seeds, poppy seeds, dried garlic, dried onion, and flaky salt, the same mix you’d find on an everything bagel. It’s what makes this jar taste like a loaded bagel without the bagel. You’ll find it at most grocery stores and at Trader Joe’s.

Close up top down view of the viral cucumber salad in a jar with smoked salmon and capers.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

5 from 1 vote

Viral Cucumber Salad Jar with Smoked Salmon

This viral cucumber salad jar layers crisp cucumber, smoked salmon, cream cheese, and everything bagel seasoning. A naturally gluten-free lunch with 22g protein.

Prep Time3

Total Time3

Course: Salad

Cuisine: American

Servings: serving

Calories: 266kcal

Author: Bailey Campbell

Ingredients

1 whole cucumber
3 tbsp red onion finely chopped
2 tbsp herb and garlic cream cheese
75 g smoked salmon approx but can add more or less
2 tbsp capers
1 tbsp fresh dill
2 tbsp Everything But The Bagel Seasoning
Salt + black pepper to taste
2 tsp chili onion crunch optional

Instructions

Grab a mason jar, tupperware container, or any glass jar you have on hand. Using a mandoline blade, slice the entire cucumber thinly.
Start by layering the cucumber slices at the bottom of the jar. Next, add the thinly sliced red onion.
Add a generous layer of herb and garlic cream cheese over the onions. Then lay down your smoked salmon slices, capers, and fresh dill.
Finally, give it a good sprinkle of Everything but the Bagel seasoning, salt, and black pepper. You can add the chili onion crunch if desired here as well.
Give the jar a good shake to mix everything together.
When you’re ready to eat, just grab a fork and dig in. If you’re taking it on the go, this salad is super portable, and the jar keeps everything fresh until you’re ready to enjoy it.

Notes

Storage – This is best served the day you make it. If you have leftovers, keep them sealed in the jar in the fridge for up to 2 days, but the cucumbers will release water and soften the longer they sit.

Soften the Cream Cheese – Bring the cream cheese to room temperature to help it soften and distribute evenly. Cold cream cheese will clump together.

Slicing the Cucumber – Slice the cucumber thinly into even slices using a mandoline or sharp knife.

Adjust the Salt – Everything Bagel seasoning and smoked salmon can be salty, so taste the salad before adding additional salt.

Nutrition

The nutrition information provided is calculated based on industry-standard software and should be used as a general guide only. The information may vary depending on ingredient substitutions, cooking techniques, and individual serving sizes. It is the responsibility of the reader to ensure the accuracy and appropriateness of the nutritional information provided. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for personalized medical or nutritional advice.

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More Viral And High Protein Recipes You’ll Love

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