Cucumber Strawberry Salad (Printable)
Crisp cucumbers and sweet strawberries with mint and a balsamic-honey dressing for a bright, summery side.
# What You Need:
→ Fresh Produce
01 - 2 medium cucumbers, thinly sliced
02 - 1 1/2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
03 - 1/4 small red onion, thinly sliced
04 - 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, chopped
→ Dressing
05 - 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
06 - 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
07 - 1 teaspoon honey
08 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
09 - 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
→ Optional Additions
10 - 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
11 - 2 tablespoons toasted slivered almonds
# How to Make It:
01 - In a large salad bowl, gently toss together the sliced cucumbers, strawberries, red onion, and chopped mint.
02 - In a small mixing bowl, vigorously whisk the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, salt, and black pepper until fully emulsified.
03 - Pour the dressing over the prepared produce and combine gently to ensure even coating without bruising the fruit.
04 - Sprinkle crumbled feta and toasted slivered almonds on top just before serving, if desired. Serve immediately for optimal freshness and texture.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The sweet-tangy dressing clings to every vibrant bite, making each mouthful unexpectedly addictive.
- It’s a breezy 15-minute recipe and nearly always impresses at potlucks without a fuss.
02 -
- Once, I made the mistake of dressing the salad too early and the cucumbers turned watery—always dress just before serving.
- Finding super ripe strawberries made the salad almost dessert-like; slightly underripe ones really change the flavor balance.
03 -
- Tossing greens by hand keeps berries from breaking up—gentle is the key.
- Letting the red onion soak in cold water for five minutes before adding tames the sharpness surprisingly well.