Description
Easy Cucumber Strawberry Salad is a refreshing and healthy summer salad made with crisp cucumbers, sweet strawberries, fresh herbs, and a light honey lemon dressing. This vibrant dish comes together in minutes and works perfectly as a light lunch, picnic salad, or fresh side dish for warm-weather meals.
Ingredients
- 2 large fresh cucumbers, thinly sliced
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
- 1/4 small red onion, very thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
- 2 tablespoons fresh mint leaves, chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil leaves, chopped
- 1/4 cup toasted almonds or walnuts (optional)
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 avocado, diced (optional)
- 1/4 cup blueberries (optional)
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds or sunflower seeds (optional)
- 1 tablespoon balsamic glaze for drizzling (optional)
Instructions
1. Wash cucumbers and strawberries thoroughly under cool running water and pat dry with a kitchen towel.
2. Slice the cucumbers into thin rounds and place them in a large mixing bowl.
3. Remove the green tops from strawberries and slice them into halves or quarters.
4. Thinly slice the red onion. For a milder flavor, soak the onion slices in cold water for five minutes and drain well.
5. Add the sliced cucumbers, strawberries, and red onion to the bowl and toss gently.
6. Add chopped fresh mint and basil to the salad mixture.
7. Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese and toasted almonds or walnuts if using.
8. In a small bowl whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, honey, apple cider vinegar, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
9. Pour the dressing over the salad mixture and toss gently to coat the ingredients.
10. Fold in diced avocado or blueberries if using.
11. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional lemon juice or honey if desired.
12. Chill the salad for 10 to 15 minutes before serving for best flavor.
13. Transfer to a serving bowl, garnish with extra herbs or nuts, and drizzle lightly with balsamic glaze before serving.
Notes
- Use ripe strawberries and firm cucumbers for the best flavor and texture.
- English cucumbers work well because they have thin skins and fewer seeds.
- For a vegan version, skip the feta cheese or replace with plant-based cheese.
- If preparing ahead of time, keep the dressing separate until just before serving.
- This salad pairs well with grilled chicken, fish, or vegetable dishes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 11g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 5mg