This Strawberry Cucumber Salad is the epitome of refreshing. It’s a vibrant, crisp, and incredibly simple dish that perfectly balances sweet and savory flavors. If you’re looking for a go-to summer salad that comes together in minutes, you’ve found it. This recipe is perfect for everything from a light lunch to a beautiful side dish for potlucks and BBQs.
We combine juicy strawberries, cool cucumbers, sharp red onion, and creamy feta cheese, all tossed in a simple yet elegant balsamic vinaigrette. It’s a delightful mix of textures and tastes that will have everyone asking for the recipe. Let’s get started!
Why You’ll Love This Strawberry Cucumber Salad Recipe
- Incredibly Refreshing: The combination of cool cucumber and sweet strawberries is the ultimate antidote to a hot day.
- Quick and Easy: With no cooking required, this salad is ready in just 15 minutes. It’s simplicity at its finest.
- Packed with Flavor: From the fresh ingredients to the tangy balsamic dressing, every bite is bursting with flavor.
- Versatile Side Dish: It pairs beautifully with almost any main course, especially grilled proteins. For another great summer side, check out this refreshing watermelon salad.
- Visually Stunning: The bright red and green colors make it a gorgeous addition to any table.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this strawberry cucumber salad lies in its simplicity. We’re using fresh, whole ingredients to create a truly memorable dish.
For the Salad
- English Cucumber: We prefer English cucumbers as they have thin skin and fewer seeds, making them perfectly crisp.
- Fresh Strawberries: Look for bright red, firm, and fragrant strawberries for the best sweet flavor.
- Feta Cheese: A block of feta crumbled by hand provides a creamy, salty counterpoint to the sweet fruit.
- Red Onion: Thinly sliced red onion adds a sharp, savory bite that cuts through the richness.
- Fresh Mint: A handful of fresh mint leaves brings a cool, aromatic quality that ties everything together.
For the Balsamic Vinaigrette
- Olive Oil: A good quality extra virgin olive oil forms the base of our dressing.
- Balsamic Vinegar: This adds a deep, tangy, and slightly sweet flavor.
- Honey or Maple Syrup: Just a touch to balance the acidity of the vinegar.
- Dijon Mustard: Helps to emulsify the dressing and adds a layer of complexity.
- Salt and Black Pepper: To season and enhance all the flavors.
How to Make Strawberry Cucumber Salad Step-By-Step
Making this salad is as easy as 1-2-3. Just chop, whisk, and toss!
- Prepare the Produce: Wash and dry all your produce. Slice the cucumber, hull and quarter the strawberries, and thinly slice the red onion. Roughly chop the fresh mint leaves.
- Make the Vinaigrette: In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey (or maple syrup), and Dijon mustard. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to your liking.
- Combine the Salad: In a large salad bowl, gently combine the sliced cucumber, strawberries, red onion, and crumbled feta cheese. Pour the vinaigrette over the salad.
- Toss and Serve: Gently toss everything together until well combined. Garnish with the chopped fresh mint and serve immediately for the best texture and flavor.
Tips for the Best Results
A few simple tricks can take your Strawberry Cucumber Salad from good to absolutely unforgettable.
- Use Fresh, High-Quality Ingredients: Since this salad has so few components, the quality of each one really shines through. Use the freshest produce you can find.
- Don’t Dress it Too Early: To prevent the salad from becoming watery, only add the dressing right before you plan to serve it. This keeps the cucumber crisp and the strawberries firm.
- Slice Onions Thinly: A mandoline is great for getting paper-thin slices of red onion, which ensures the flavor is present but not overwhelming. If you find raw onion too strong, you can soak the slices in cold water for 10 minutes to mellow them out.
- Chill Your Ingredients: For an extra refreshing salad, make sure your cucumber and strawberries are well-chilled before you begin.
Delicious Variations to Try
While this recipe is fantastic as is, it’s also a great canvas for customization. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Add a Crunch: Toasted pecans, walnuts, or slivered almonds would be a delicious addition.
- Switch up the Cheese: Not a fan of feta? Try creamy goat cheese or small fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini).
- Introduce More Herbs: Fresh basil is a classic pairing with strawberries and would work beautifully in place of or in addition to the mint.
- Add Some Protein: Make it a full meal by topping the salad with grilled chicken or shrimp. This grilled shrimp bowl recipe could provide great inspiration.
- Bring in Some Greens: Toss the salad with a bed of spinach or arugula for a more traditional green salad. If you enjoy greens in your salads, you might also like our summer kale salad.
What to Serve with Strawberry Cucumber Salad
This versatile salad complements a wide range of main courses. It’s the perfect fresh element to balance richer dishes. Consider serving it alongside a hearty chicken and avocado melt, grilled fish like salmon, or a perfectly cooked steak. It’s also an excellent standalone dish for a light and healthy lunch.
How to Store
This Strawberry Cucumber Salad is best enjoyed fresh, as the cucumber will release water over time. If you do have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. The texture will be slightly softer, but the flavors will still be delicious. For best results, if making ahead, store the chopped salad ingredients and the dressing separately and combine just before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! It’s a surprisingly delightful combination. The sweetness of the strawberries balances the cool, crisp flavor of the cucumber, creating a unique and incredibly refreshing taste profile perfect for summer.
Yes, you can prep the components ahead of time. Chop the cucumber, strawberries, and onion and store them in a separate airtight container in the fridge. Mix the dressing and keep it in a separate jar. When you’re ready to serve, simply combine everything and toss.
The key is to dress the salad just before serving. Cucumbers naturally release water, especially when they come into contact with salt and acid from the dressing. By waiting until the last minute to toss, you ensure every bite is crisp and refreshing.
A simple balsamic vinaigrette is the perfect dressing. Its tangy and slightly sweet profile complements the sweet strawberries and fresh cucumber without overpowering them. A poppy seed dressing would also be a delicious alternative.
This salad is incredibly versatile. It pairs wonderfully with grilled chicken, salmon, or shrimp. It’s also a fantastic fresh side for heartier dishes like steak, pork chops, or burgers.
More Summer Recipes You’ll Love
If you enjoyed this fresh and easy recipe, be sure to check out some of our other favorites perfect for warm weather, like our vibrant Blueberry Peach Feta Salad.
Share Your Creation!
We hope you love this refreshing Strawberry Cucumber Salad! If you make it, please leave a comment below and let us know what you think. We’d also love to see your creations—share a photo on Pinterest and tag us!
Strawberry Cucumber Salad
Strawberry Cucumber Salad (The Only Recipe You Need)
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Wash and dry all your produce. Slice the cucumber, hull and quarter the strawberries, and thinly slice the red onion. Roughly chop the fresh mint leaves.
- In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey (or maple syrup), and Dijon mustard. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to your liking.
- In a large salad bowl, gently combine the sliced cucumber, strawberries, red onion, and crumbled feta cheese. Pour the vinaigrette over the salad.
- Gently toss everything together until well combined. Garnish with the chopped fresh mint and serve immediately for the best texture and flavor.
Notes
Don't Dress Too Early: Add the vinaigrette just before serving to keep the salad crisp.
Mellow the Onion: If you find raw onion too sharp, soak the slices in cold water for 10 minutes before adding to the salad.
