Craving a side dish that’s incredibly fresh, ridiculously easy, and ready in minutes? Look no further than this Cucumber Mozzarella Salad. It’s a vibrant, crisp, and satisfying salad that combines cool cucumbers, creamy mozzarella, and a simple yet flavorful vinaigrette. Perfect for a quick lunch, a light dinner side, or your next summer potluck, this recipe is guaranteed to become a new favorite.
Why You’ll Love This Cucumber Mozzarella Salad
This isn’t just another boring salad. It’s a delightful mix of textures and flavors that come together in perfect harmony. It’s the ultimate solution when you need something delicious on the table fast, without ever turning on the stove.
- Quick & Easy: This entire salad comes together in just 10 minutes with minimal chopping and no cooking required.
- Incredibly Fresh: Crisp cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, and creamy mozzarella create a refreshing taste experience.
- Versatile Side Dish: It pairs beautifully with almost any main course, from grilled chicken to steak. For another versatile option, check out this easy orzo salad.
- Healthy & Light: Packed with fresh vegetables, it’s a healthy choice you can feel good about eating.
The Freshest Ingredients for Your Salad
The beauty of this Cucumber Mozzarella Salad lies in its simplicity. That means using high-quality, fresh ingredients is key to getting the best possible flavor. Here’s what you’ll need.
Choosing Your Cucumbers
For the best texture and flavor, I recommend using English or Persian cucumbers. They have thin skin, which means you don’t need to peel them, and their seeds are small and minimal. This gives you a crunchier, less watery salad.
The Best Mozzarella to Use
Fresh mozzarella is a must for this recipe. Look for mozzarella pearls (also called “ciliegine”) as they are the perfect bite-size and require no slicing. If you can’t find them, a ball of fresh mozzarella chopped into half-inch cubes works just as well.
Simple Vinaigrette Components
The dressing is simple but elegant. You’ll need a good quality extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar for a tangy kick, a touch of Dijon mustard to help it emulsify, and a sprinkle of salt, pepper, and dried oregano to bring it all together.
How to Make Cucumber Mozzarella Salad Step-by-Step
Making this fresh mozzarella and cucumber salad is as easy as 1-2-3. Just chop, mix, and serve! It’s the perfect recipe for busy weeknights or lazy summer days when you want maximum flavor with minimum effort.
The Recipe
Cucumber Mozzarella Salad (The Perfect 10-Minute Side)
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a small jar with a lid, combine the extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, oregano, salt, and pepper. Secure the lid and shake vigorously until the vinaigrette is well combined and slightly thickened. Alternatively, whisk all ingredients together in a small bowl.
- In a large salad bowl, add the sliced cucumber, halved cherry tomatoes, mozzarella pearls, and thinly sliced red onion.
- Pour the prepared vinaigrette over the salad ingredients. Add the chopped fresh basil.
- Gently toss everything together until all the ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing.
- For the best flavor, let the salad sit for 5-10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
Make-Ahead Tip: You can prepare the vinaigrette and chop the vegetables ahead of time. Store them separately in the refrigerator and combine just before serving to keep the salad crisp.
Expert Tips for the Best Results
Want to take your salad from great to absolutely unforgettable? Here are a few simple tips from my kitchen to yours.
- Don’t Overdress: Start with a little less dressing than you think you need. You can always add more, but you can’t take it away. The goal is to lightly coat the ingredients, not drown them.
- Salt the Cucumbers (Optional): If you have extra time and are using a standard cucumber, you can lightly salt the slices and let them sit for 15-20 minutes. This draws out excess water and ensures a crunchier salad. Just be sure to pat them dry before adding them to the bowl.
- Serve Immediately: This salad is at its best when served fresh. The cucumbers are at their crispiest, and the cheese is perfectly creamy.
Delicious Variations to Try
While this Cucumber Mozzarella Salad is fantastic as is, it’s also a great base for customization. Feel free to get creative and make it your own!
- Add Protein: Turn this into a complete meal by adding grilled chicken or chickpeas. If you love chickpeas in salads, you’ll love our Greek Chickpea Salad.
- Make it Spicy: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the vinaigrette for a little kick of heat.
- Include More Veggies: Thinly sliced bell peppers, Kalamata olives, or artichoke hearts would all be wonderful additions.
- Herb Variations: Swap the basil for fresh dill, parsley, or mint for a different flavor profile.
What to Serve with Cucumber Mozzarella Salad
This versatile salad pairs well with a wide variety of main courses. It’s the perfect cooling contrast to something hot off the grill, like our Garlic Butter Steak. It’s also fantastic alongside grilled chicken, fish, or a simple sandwich like a Chicken Avocado Melt.
Storing Your Salad
This salad is best enjoyed the day it’s made. If you do have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. The cucumbers will soften slightly but it will still taste delicious. I do not recommend freezing this salad.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can prep the components ahead of time. Chop the vegetables and mix the dressing, but store them in separate airtight containers in the fridge. Combine them just before serving to ensure the cucumbers stay crisp.
This salad is best eaten the day it is made. However, leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. The cucumbers will soften slightly but it will still be delicious.
A simple red wine vinaigrette is perfect. All you need is extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, oregano, salt, and pepper. It’s light, zesty, and complements the fresh ingredients without overpowering them.
Fresh mozzarella pearls (ciliegine) are the most convenient choice as they are already bite-sized. If you can’t find them, a fresh mozzarella ball cut into 1/2-inch cubes works perfectly as well.
English or Persian cucumbers are ideal for this salad because they have thin skins and very few seeds, which provides a better, crunchier texture. There is no need to peel them.
Share Your Creation!
I hope you love this simple and refreshing Cucumber Mozzarella Salad as much as I do! If you make it, please leave a comment below and let me know what you think. And don’t forget to share a picture of your beautiful creation on Pinterest!
