Crisp, juicy cucumbers and sweet, vibrant strawberries come together in this refreshing Cucumber Strawberry Salad—an absolute burst of summer on your plate! With a bright honey-lime dressing and a sprinkle of fresh mint, this salad dances with flavor, color, and irresistible crunch. Whether you’re serving it at a backyard BBQ or savoring it as a light lunch, this recipe brings pure joy in every bite.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ultimate Freshness: Every bite bursts with juicy strawberries and the crisp coolness of cucumber, making this salad incredibly revitalizing.
- Simple, Wholesome Ingredients: With just a handful of easy-to-find components, you can whip up something truly special in under 15 minutes.
- Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: It shines at picnics, potlucks, or as a light side for any meal, delighting both kids and adults alike.
- Eye-Catching Presentation: The bold reds and greens make Cucumber Strawberry Salad as beautiful as it is delicious!
Ingredients You’ll Need
There’s so much magic in simplicity, and that’s exactly what makes Cucumber Strawberry Salad shine—the ingredients are few but each plays a key role in taste, texture, or vibrant color. Here’s what you’ll need to create this gorgeous, invigorating dish.
- Strawberries: Use ripe, chilled berries for peak sweetness and bold, juicy color—quarter or slice them so every piece gets coated with dressing.
- Cucumber: Thinly sliced, crisp cucumber adds a refreshing crunch and keeps every bite feeling light and hydrating; English or Persian varieties are especially nice.
- Honey: This touch of natural sweetness balances the tart lime and enhances the berry flavor beautifully.
- Olive Oil: Choose a good quality extra-virgin olive oil—its smooth, buttery finish ties all the elements together in the dressing.
- Lime Juice: Freshly squeezed lime brings the ultimate zingy brightness and keeps the salad lively.
- Fresh Mint: Both in the dressing and sprinkled on top, mint gives the salad its intoxicating, ultra-refreshing aroma and a pop of green.
- Salt and Pepper: Just a pinch elevates all the flavors—don’t skip this little finishing step!
Variations
One of my favorite things about Cucumber Strawberry Salad is how forgiving and adaptable it is—you can swap, add, or tweak ingredients and still end up with something totally delicious. Try one of these spins next time or make it your own masterpiece:
- Add Cheese: Crumbled feta or creamy goat cheese takes this salad to a whole new level with a savory contrast.
- Boost the Greens: Toss in a handful of baby spinach or arugula for an extra pop of color and fresh flavor.
- Go Nutty: Scatter in some toasted almonds, pistachios, or pepitas for crunch and extra protein.
- Citrus Swap: Try swapping lime for lemon juice, or mix in a bit of orange zest for a different citrus vibe.
- Herb Options: Don’t have mint? Fresh basil pairs beautifully with both cucumber and strawberry.
How to Make Cucumber Strawberry Salad
Step 1: Mix the Dressing
In a small bowl or a mason jar with a tight lid, whisk or shake together the honey, olive oil, lime juice, and chopped fresh mint. The honey dissolves best if your lime juice is at room temperature, while mint infuses every drop of the dressing with summery fragrance.
Step 2: Prepare the Salad Ingredients
Chop strawberries into quarters or slice them into 3-4 even pieces, and thinly slice the cucumber into rounds or half-moons for appealing, bite-sized pieces. Keeping everything chilled makes the final Cucumber Strawberry Salad extra crisp and refreshing!
Step 3: Toss & Dress
Combine the strawberries and cucumbers in a large bowl. Drizzle over just enough dressing to lightly coat the fruit and veggies—don’t flood it! Gently toss everything together, adding a little salt and pepper to taste. Serve the extra dressing alongside in case anyone wants a little more zing.
Step 4: Garnish and Serve
Finish your salad with more fresh mint scattered on top for a burst of color and coolness. Serve right away while it’s crisp—or refrigerate briefly if you want it even colder for a hot day.
Pro Tips for Making Cucumber Strawberry Salad
- Chill for Crunch: For the absolute crispest texture, make sure both your cucumbers and strawberries are well-chilled before slicing and mixing.
- Slice Uniformly: Uniform slices ensure the dressing coats everything evenly and every forkful looks as gorgeous as the last.
- Dress Just Before Serving: Add the dressing right before eating to keep the salad crisp and bright—it can get watery if it sits too long.
- Don’t Overdo the Dressing: You want a light, glistening coating rather than a soggy salad. Save some extra dressing for serving on the side if folks want more!
How to Serve Cucumber Strawberry Salad
Garnishes
Fresh mint leaves are absolutely perfect as a garnish for this salad, but don’t hesitate to add a sprinkle of lemon zest or a handful of microgreens for bonus color and fragrance. If you’re feeling fancy, a few edible flowers really elevate the look for parties or special occasions!
Side Dishes
This salad loves to be the star at picnics alongside grilled chicken, flaky fish, or simple veggie skewers. It’s also delightful served with a spread of bruschetta, soft cheeses, or as a palate-refreshing contrast to a spicier main course.
Creative Ways to Present
For a show-stealing presentation, serve your Cucumber Strawberry Salad in beautiful glass bowls or layer it over a platter of leafy greens. Mini salad cups look adorable at brunches, and piling it onto toasted sourdough crostini with a dollop of whipped goat cheese transforms it into a stunning appetizer.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have any Cucumber Strawberry Salad left over (lucky you!), store it in an airtight container in the fridge. It keeps best for up to a day, but be aware the strawberries and cucumber will naturally release a little extra juice as they sit.
Freezing
Because both cucumbers and strawberries are full of water, freezing this salad isn’t recommended—the texture will lose its irresistible crispness and become mushy once thawed. Instead, make just what you need for the freshest results.
Reheating
This is a salad meant to be enjoyed chilled—no reheating required! If your leftovers have released a bit of extra liquid, simply drain gently and give it a quick toss before serving again.
FAQs
-
Can I make Cucumber Strawberry Salad ahead of time?
For the best texture, it’s ideal to assemble and dress this salad just before serving. You can, however, prep the dressing and chop the strawberries and cucumbers up to a few hours in advance. Just store everything separately in the fridge and toss together when ready to serve.
-
What type of cucumber is best for this salad?
English cucumbers and Persian cucumbers are both wonderful because of their thin skins and small seeds, which means you don’t even need to peel them. If using standard cucumbers, you might want to peel and seed them for a tender, less bitter bite.
-
Is there a way to make this salad vegan?
Absolutely! Simply swap the honey for maple syrup or agave nectar in the dressing—both options lend natural sweetness while keeping the recipe totally plant-based.
-
Can I double or triple this recipe for a party?
Yes! Cucumber Strawberry Salad is easy to scale up. Just use a bigger bowl, increase the dressing ingredients proportionally, and slice all the strawberries and cucumbers right before your guests arrive for the freshest appeal.
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving a salad that promises pure summer happiness, Cucumber Strawberry Salad is about to become your new go-to. With every forkful, you get bright, juicy, refreshing flavors—and a splash of color that makes every table look irresistible. Give it a try and watch it disappear in a flash!
Print
Cucumber Strawberry Salad Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 3 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Tossing
- Cuisine: International
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This refreshing Cucumber Strawberry Salad is a delightful blend of sweet and tangy flavors, perfect for a light and healthy meal or as a side dish. The crisp cucumbers and juicy strawberries are tossed in a honey-lime dressing with a hint of fresh mint, creating a vibrant and summery dish.
Ingredients
Salad
- 1 1/2 cup strawberries, chilled, hulled, and quartered or sliced into 3–4 pieces
- 2 cups sliced cucumber, chilled, thinly sliced
Dressing
- 1 1/2 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon olive oil, good quality
- 1 tablespoon lime juice, freshly squeezed
- 1 1/2 teaspoon fresh mint + more for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the dressing: Mix honey, olive oil, lime juice, and fresh mint in a small bowl or a tightly sealed mason jar. Stir or shake well until combined.
- Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, combine cucumbers and strawberries. Drizzle with the dressing, tossing lightly to coat. Serve with extra dressing on the side or refrigerate for later.
- Season and serve: Season the salad with salt and pepper, garnish with fresh mint, and serve immediately.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
