Strawberry Cucumber Salad (Print Version)
A vibrant mix of juicy strawberries, crisp cucumbers, and fresh herbs tossed in a tangy balsamic dressing. Light, refreshing, and ready in just 15 minutes.
# What You Need:
→ Produce
01 - 2 cups strawberries, hulled and sliced
02 - 1 large English cucumber, thinly sliced
03 - 2 tablespoons fresh mint leaves, finely chopped
04 - 2 tablespoons fresh basil leaves, finely chopped
05 - 1 small shallot, finely sliced (optional)
→ Dressing
06 - 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
07 - 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
08 - 1 tablespoon lemon juice
09 - 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
10 - Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
→ Garnish
11 - 2 tablespoons crumbled feta cheese (optional)
12 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
# Preparation Steps:
01 - In a large mixing bowl, combine sliced strawberries, cucumber, mint, basil, and shallot (if using).
02 - In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, lemon juice, honey, salt, and pepper until the dressing emulsifies.
03 - Drizzle the dressing over the strawberry-cucumber mixture. Gently toss to coat all ingredients evenly.
04 - Transfer salad to a serving platter or individual bowls. Garnish with crumbled feta and extra black pepper, if desired. Serve immediately.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The sweetness of strawberries against cool cucumber hits that perfect note you never knew you needed
- It comes together in fifteen minutes flat and looks stunning on the table
02 -
- This salad waits for no one, so dress it right before serving or the cucumbers will release water and everything goes limp
- Room temperature ingredients matter here because cold cucumbers mute the dressing and the strawberries lose their perfume
03 -
- Use a vegetable peeler to create ribbon style cucumber slices instead of rounds for something that looks elegant and holds dressing differently
- Toast some nuts like pistachios or pine nuts and scatter them on top for texture contrast