Quick & Zesty Strawberry Cucumber Salad Recipe for Summer

Cool summer days call for a vibrant strawberry cucumber salad that bursts with refreshing flavors and unexpected charm.

Crisp cucumber slices mingle with juicy strawberry pieces, creating a delightful dance of sweet and tangy notes.

Lightweight and elegant, this salad whispers of sunshine and relaxed afternoons.

Fresh herbs add a subtle complexity that makes each bite memorable.

The combination feels like a secret garden party on your plate.

Simple ingredients merge into something extraordinary with minimal effort.

You’ll love how quickly this dish comes together, promising a delicious escape from ordinary meal routines.

Strawberry Cucumber Salad with Fresh Flavor

• Refresh Your Palate: Burst with vibrant, crisp flavors that dance on your taste buds, creating a refreshing summer sensation.
• Quick Kitchen Magic: Assemble this stunning salad in mere minutes, perfect for busy cooks wanting maximum taste with minimal effort.
• Crowd-Pleasing Charm: Delivers a gorgeous mix of sweet strawberries, tangy feta, and cool cucumber that appeals to both adults and kids, making it a universal crowd-pleaser.
• Nutritious Delight: Packed with fresh ingredients that offer a healthy punch of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants without sacrificing incredible taste.

Ingredients for Strawberry Cucumber Salad

• Strawberries: Sweet summer fruit that adds a vibrant color and fresh flavor to the salad.
• Cucumbers: Crisp and refreshing vegetable that provides a cool crunch.
• Red Onion: Sharp and tangy ingredient that adds a zesty bite to the salad.
• Feta Cheese: Creamy and salty cheese that brings a rich, Mediterranean-style flavor.
• Fresh Mint: Aromatic herb that provides a bright, cooling note to the dish.

• Olive Oil, Golden Balsamic Vinegar, Lemon Juice: Smooth and tangy combination that creates a light, bright dressing.
• Black Pepper: Adds a subtle warmth and depth to the dressing's flavor profile.

How to Toss Strawberry Cucumber Salad

Step 1: Slice and Dice Fresh Produce

Cut strawberries into delicate quarters, revealing their vibrant red interior. Chop crisp cucumbers into bite-sized pieces.

Finely dice red onion for a sharp, zesty crunch. Carefully mince fresh mint leaves to release their aromatic essence.

Step 2: Craft Bright Vinaigrette

• Smooth olive oil
• Golden balsamic vinegar
• Tangy fresh lemon juice
• Cracked black pepper

Blend until the dressing becomes a harmonious, glistening mixture.

Step 3: Create Colorful Salad Medley

• Quartered strawberries
• Chopped cucumbers
• Diced red onion
• Crumbled feta cheese
• Minced mint leaves

Step 4: Dress and Toss with Finesse

Drizzle the vibrant vinaigrette over the salad ingredients.

Using gentle movements, softly toss everything together, ensuring each component gets coated with the refreshing dressing. The result will be a stunning, summer-inspired salad bursting with flavor and color.

Tips for Fresh and Crisp Strawberry Salad

• Use a sharp knife to quarter strawberries for clean, even cuts that maintain their juicy texture and prevent bruising.
• Adjust the amount of red onion to prevent overpowering the delicate strawberry and cucumber combination.
• Refrigerate the salad for 15-20 minutes before serving to enhance the flavors and create a refreshing taste.
• Select ripe strawberries and crisp cucumbers for the best overall taste and texture of the salad.
• Dress the salad just before serving to keep the ingredients crisp and prevent soggy vegetables.

Variations on Strawberry Cucumber Salad

• Watermelon Wonder: Replace strawberries with cubed watermelon for a sweeter summer version, keeping cucumber and feta for a refreshing contrast.
• Mediterranean Mix: Add kalamata olives and swap golden balsamic for red wine vinegar to create a Greek-inspired salad with Mediterranean flavors.
• Herbal Harvest: Substitute mint with fresh basil and add toasted pine nuts for an aromatic and crunchy variation that elevates the salad's complexity.
• Spicy Southwest Spin: Include diced jalapeños, swap feta for queso fresco, and drizzle with lime juice for a zesty, southwestern-style cucumber salad.

Best Pairings for Strawberry Cucumber Salad

• Boost Refreshing Flavor Harmony: Crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc perfectly complements the salad's light, fresh ingredients, cutting through the tangy feta and enhancing the sweet strawberries.
• Elevate Herb-Infused Pairing: Serve alongside grilled chicken or light fish to create a balanced meal that highlights the mint and cucumber's cooling notes, adding protein without overwhelming the delicate salad.
• Craft Sparkling Beverage Match: Prosecco or sparkling water with a hint of elderflower brings effervescence that dances with the salad's bright flavors, creating a delightful summer dining experience.

How to Store Strawberry Cucumber Salad Correctly

Store leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep dressing separate to prevent soggy vegetables.

Not recommended due to high water content in strawberries and cucumbers, which will cause texture breakdown when thawed.

Before serving chilled leftovers, drain excess liquid and add fresh mint leaves to revive flavor and appearance.

Let salad sit out for 10-15 minutes before serving to slightly soften cheese and enhance flavor blend.

FAQs

• Is this salad healthy?

Yes, it’s packed with nutrients. Strawberries provide vitamin C, cucumbers offer hydration, and feta adds protein. The fresh mint and light dressing make it a nutritious, low-calorie option.

• Can I make this salad ahead of time?

Prepare ingredients separately and combine just before serving to keep everything crisp. Store dressing and chopped ingredients separately in the refrigerator for up to 2 hours.

• What if I don't have golden balsamic vinegar?

Regular white balsamic or apple cider vinegar work perfectly as substitutes. The goal is a light, slightly sweet acidic flavor that complements the fresh ingredients.

Strawberry Cucumber Salad Recipe

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4.7 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Summer’s fresh Strawberry Cucumber Salad combines crisp garden vegetables with sweet berries in a light, zesty experience. Cool Mediterranean flavors dance across your palate, inviting refreshment with each delightful forkful.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Fruits and Vegetables:

• 1.5 pounds (680 grams) strawberries, quartered
• 4 cups (960 milliliters) cucumbers, chopped
• 1 small red onion, chopped
• 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) fresh mint, minced

Cheese and Dairy:

• 8 ounces (226 grams) feta cheese, cubed

Dressing Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup (80 milliliters) olive oil
• 1/3 cup (80 milliliters) golden balsamic vinegar
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon (1.25 milliliters) pepper

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Instructions

1. Slice strawberries into elegant wedges, creating a visually appealing texture that enhances the salad’s presentation.
2. Dice cucumbers and red onion into uniform, bite-sized pieces to ensure balanced flavor distribution and easy eating.
3. Crumble feta cheese into delicate chunks, allowing it to blend seamlessly with the fresh ingredients.
4. Finely chop mint leaves, releasing their aromatic oils and providing a vibrant, refreshing undertone to the salad.
5. Create the dressing by whisking golden balsamic vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, and cracked black pepper in a small mixing bowl until emulsified and smooth.
6. Gently transfer prepared strawberries, cucumbers, red onion, feta, and mint into a large serving bowl.
7. Drizzle the whisked dressing over the salad, using a light folding technique to coat ingredients without bruising delicate fruits and herbs.
8. Allow salad to rest for 5-10 minutes at room temperature, enabling flavors to meld and ingredients to absorb the dressing’s subtle nuances.

Notes

• Slice strawberries uniformly to ensure even flavor distribution and attractive presentation.
• Use English cucumber for a milder taste and fewer seeds, enhancing the salad’s delicate texture.
• Consider toasting pine nuts or sliced almonds for an extra crunch and nutty undertone.
• Adjust dressing quantities based on personal preference, adding more acid or oil to balance flavors.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: None
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 243
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 277 mg
• Fat: 21 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 9 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg