Sweet & Crisp Strawberry Cucumber Salad with Honey Balsamic Dressing Recipe

Cool summer days welcome a refreshing strawberry cucumber salad that combines unexpected flavor profiles for maximum enjoyment.

Crisp vegetables and sweet berries dance together in delightful harmony.

Simple ingredients create magic on your plate with minimal preparation.

Fresh ingredients make this dish sing with bright, tangy notes.

Vibrant colors and contrasting textures guarantee a memorable culinary experience.

Crunchy cucumbers and juicy strawberries provide delicious nutrition in every bite.

Whip up this quick salad and surprise yourself with an incredible taste adventure.

Why Strawberry Cucumber Salad Feels So Refreshing

• Refresh Your Palate: A vibrant salad that bursts with summer flavors and surprising ingredient combinations.
• Create Quick Culinary Magic: No complex cooking skills needed – just simple slicing and mixing for an impressive dish that looks professionally prepared.
• Nutrition Packed Delight: Loaded with fresh produce, this salad delivers a powerful punch of vitamins, antioxidants, and healthy nutrients in every colorful bite.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect for picnics, potlucks, or as a light lunch, this salad adapts easily to different dining scenarios and pleases various taste preferences.

What You’ll Need For Strawberry Cucumber Salad

• Strawberries: Sweet summer fruit that provides a bright and juicy base for the salad.
• Cucumber: Crisp vegetable that adds refreshing texture and lightness to the dish.
• Mint Leaves: Fresh herb that contributes a cool and aromatic flavor enhancement.
• Red Onion: Sharp ingredient that provides a subtle bite and depth to the salad.

• Feta Cheese: Tangy cheese that offers a creamy and salty contrast to the sweet fruits.

• Honey, Balsamic Vinegar, Olive Oil: Smooth mixture that creates a balanced and glossy dressing with sweet and tangy notes.

• Almonds: Crunchy nuts that add a nutty texture and additional protein.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance and balance the overall flavor profile of the salad.

How To Toss Strawberry Cucumber Salad Fast

Step 1: Prepare Fresh Ingredients

Wash strawberries, cucumber, and mint leaves under cool running water. Pat dry with clean kitchen towels.

Step 2: Slice Strawberries

Cut strawberries into elegant thin wedges, creating a vibrant visual appeal for the salad.

Step 3: Transform Cucumber

• Partially or fully peel cucumber
• Slice into delicate half-moons or quarter-rounds for a crisp base

Step 4: Chop Additional Components

• Mince red onion into fine slivers
• Finely chop fresh mint leaves

Step 5: Create Honey Balsamic Dressing

• Honey
• Balsamic vinegar
• Olive oil

Blend until smooth and fully integrated

Step 6: Combine Salad Ingredients

• Sliced strawberries
• Cucumber pieces
• Red onion slivers
• Chopped mint leaves

Step 7: Dress and Season Salad

Drizzle honey balsamic dressing over the mixture, tossing carefully to ensure even coating

Step 8: Add Finishing Touches

• Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese
• Scatter chopped almonds
• Dust with salt and freshly ground black pepper

Step 9: Chill and Serve

Refrigerate for 10-15 minutes to allow flavors to develop and merge, creating a refreshing taste experience

Tips To Elevate Strawberry Cucumber Salad

• Wash Thoroughly: Rinse all produce under cool water to eliminate dirt, ensuring food safety and clean ingredients.
• Slice Strategically: Cut strawberries and cucumbers into uniform, thin pieces for consistent texture and beautiful presentation.
• Balance Flavors: Adjust honey and balsamic ratio to create perfect sweet-tangy dressing that complements fresh ingredients.
• Serve Chilled: Refrigerate salad briefly before serving to enhance flavor integration and provide refreshing eating experience.
• Customize Texture: Experiment with different nut toppings like walnuts or pistachios for varied crunch and nutty undertones.

Fresh Variations Of Strawberry Cucumber Salad

• Mediterranean Cucumber Salad: Replace strawberries with cherry tomatoes, add kalamata olives, and swap honey balsamic dressing for lemon-oregano vinaigrette.
• Spicy Asian Cucumber Salad: Incorporate sesame oil, rice vinegar, chili flakes, and replace feta with toasted sesame seeds for an Asian-inspired profile.
• Tropical Fruit Cucumber Salad: Substitute strawberries with diced mango and pineapple, use coconut honey dressing, and garnish with toasted coconut flakes.
• Herbal Green Cucumber Salad: Add chopped fresh dill and parsley, use green apple instead of strawberries, and replace feta with crumbled goat cheese for a herbaceous version.

What Pairs Great With Strawberry Cucumber Salad

• Pairing with Crisp White Wine: Select a light, refreshing Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio that complements the salad's delicate strawberry and cucumber notes, enhancing the bright, summery flavors without overpowering the dish.
• Serve with Grilled Protein Companion: Add a light grilled chicken breast or seared white fish alongside the salad to create a balanced meal, allowing the fresh salad to cut through the protein's richness with its vibrant honey balsamic dressing.
• Match with Rustic Bread Option: Pair the salad with a crusty artisan sourdough or whole grain baguette to provide a hearty texture contrast, using the bread to soak up the delicious honey balsamic dressing and add a satisfying carbohydrate element.

Storage Tips For Strawberry Cucumber Salad

• Store the salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, keeping the ingredients crisp and fresh.
• Keep the honey balsamic dressing in a sealed jar in the refrigerator for up to a week, preventing the salad from becoming soggy.
• Store sliced strawberries, cucumber, and other ingredients in individual containers to maintain their texture and prevent premature wilting.
• Do not freeze this salad, as it will destroy the delicate texture of strawberries and cucumber, compromising the overall quality and taste.

Strawberry Cucumber Salad FAQ Guide

• Why combine strawberries and cucumber in a salad?

These ingredients create a perfect balance of sweet and crisp textures. Strawberries add natural sweetness while cucumbers provide refreshing crunch, making the salad light and incredibly enjoyable.

• Can I substitute feta cheese with another cheese?

Absolutely! Goat cheese works wonderfully as an alternative. It offers similar tangy notes and creamy texture that complement the strawberries and cucumber beautifully.

• How do I select the best strawberries for this recipe?

Choose strawberries that are bright red, firm, and have a fragrant aroma. Avoid berries with white or green patches, which indicate they’re underripe. Ripe strawberries will enhance the salad’s overall flavor profile.

• Is this salad considered healthy?

Yes, this salad is incredibly nutritious.

Strawberry Cucumber Salad With Honey Balsamic Dressing Recipe

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4.7 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 25-30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Refreshing strawberry cucumber salad with honey balsamic dressing brings summer’s crisp symphony to your plate. Delicate strawberries and cool cucumbers mingle with sweet-tangy dressing, offering perfect balance for light, elegant dining.

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Ingredients

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Salad Ingredients:

• 2 cups strawberries, fresh
• 1 large cucumber
• 1/4 cup red onion
• 2 tablespoons fresh mint leaves

Dressing Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons honey
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Garnish Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup feta cheese
• 2 tablespoons chopped almonds
• Salt to taste
• Black pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Thoroughly wash strawberries, cucumber, and mint leaves under cool running water to remove any potential dirt or residue.
2. Hull and slice strawberries into thin, elegant wedges, creating a vibrant and appealing visual texture for the salad.
3. Peel cucumber partially or completely, then slice into delicate, translucent half-moons or quarter-rounds for a crisp foundation.
4. Finely mince red onion into delicate, translucent slivers to distribute a subtle, sharp flavor throughout the salad.
5. Gently chop fresh mint leaves into fine, aromatic pieces to enhance the herb’s delicate fragrance and flavor profile.
6. Whisk honey, balsamic vinegar, and olive oil together in a small bowl until the mixture becomes smooth and fully integrated.
7. In a large serving bowl, combine sliced strawberries, cucumber, red onion, and mint leaves, creating a colorful and fresh base.
8. Drizzle the honey balsamic dressing over the salad, carefully tossing to ensure even coating and distribution of flavors.
9. Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese across the salad, allowing the tangy cheese to provide a creamy contrast to the sweet and fresh ingredients.
10. Garnish with chopped almonds, adding a delightful crunch and nutty dimension to the salad’s texture.
11. Season with a light dusting of salt and freshly ground black pepper to enhance and balance the overall flavor profile.
12. Chill for 10-15 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld and develop a refreshing temperature.

Notes

• Swap feta for vegan alternatives like cashew cheese or nutritional yeast to create a dairy-free version that maintains creamy richness.
• Reduce honey quantity or replace with agave nectar for a lower glycemic index option suitable for diabetic-friendly diets.
• Toast almonds briefly before adding to enhance their nutty flavor and create a more intense, roasted crunch in the salad.
• Slice vegetables uniformly to ensure consistent texture and balanced flavor distribution throughout the dish.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Mixing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 12g
• Sodium: 120mg
• Fat: 8g
• Saturated Fat: 1g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 19g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 3g
• Cholesterol: 5mg