The Quick Zesty Summer Garden Party Salad Cucumber Strawberry Mint Delight

Zesty Strawberry Cucumber Salad

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Preparation time:15 Mins

Cooking time:0

Servings:4 servings

Ingredients:

• 2 medium English cucumbers, thinly sliced
• 1 pint fresh strawberries, hulled and quartered
• ¼ small red onion, very thinly sliced (optional)
• ¼ cup loosely packed fresh mint leaves, roughly chopped
• 3 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 2 Tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 1 Tablespoon honey or maple syrup
• ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
• ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
• ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Instructions:

• Prepare the Produce: Wash and dry all vegetables and fruit thoroughly. Slice the cucumbers thinly (about ⅛ inch thick). Hull and quarter the strawberries. Slice the red onion paper-thin, if using.
• Make the Vinaigrette: In a small jar, combine the olive oil, lime juice, honey/maple syrup, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. Seal the jar tightly and shake vigorously until the dressing is fully emulsified and slightly thickened. Taste and adjust seasoning.
• Combine Main Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, gently combine the sliced cucumbers, strawberries, and red onion (if using).
• Dress the Salad: Pour about two-thirds of the vinaigrette over the salad mixture. Toss very gently to coat everything without bruising the strawberries.
• Add Mint & Rest (Optional): Gently fold in the fresh mint. Cover the bowl and let the salad sit in the fridge for 15 minutes for maximum flavour infusion.
• Final Toss and Serve: Give the salad one final, very gentle toss before transferring it to a serving platter. Drizzle with the remaining dressing only if necessary. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts

Calories:497 kcal

Protein:6.3 g

Fat:3.3 g

Carbs:52.0 g

Fiber:7.9 g

Sugar:0.0 g

Sodium:10339 mg

Recipe Info

Category:Side Dish, Salad

Cuisine:American

Why This Cucumber Strawberry Salad Reigns Supreme on Summer Tables

There is an undeniable magic that happens when two seemingly simple ingredients—the cool, hydrating crunch of cucumber and the sweet, sun-ripened burst of a strawberry—meet in one bowl. This Cucumber Strawberry Salad isn't just another side dish; it’s the very essence of warm-weather dining captured in a refreshing mix. Forget those heavy, mayonnaise-laden slaws that weigh down a summer plate. Our version, officially titled "The Quick & Zesty Summer Garden Party Salad," is designed to be utterly bright, allowing the superior quality of peak-season produce to shine through. It’s a vibrant, light side dish that comes together in mere minutes, making it the ideal complement for anything from a casual afternoon picnic to a sophisticated al fresco dinner.

The Perfect Fusion: Sweet Berries Meet Garden Crispness

The success of any Strawberry Cucumber Salad with Feta and Mint (though we are holding the feta for an optional flourish here) relies entirely on balancing textures and inherent flavours. We use English cucumbers because their thin, almost negligible skin and lack of large seeds mean less prep and a more uniform, crisp bite throughout the salad. Paired with strawberries that are perfectly ripe—sweet but still firm enough to hold their shape after tossing—you achieve that satisfying interplay of cool vegetable and sweet fruit that makes you reach for another forkful immediately. This combination truly defines what a Light Summer Salad Recipe should taste like.

Beyond the Ordinary: Introducing Our Signature Zest

While the base ingredients are stellar, what truly transforms this into something memorable is the dressing. Many Strawberry Salad with Cucumber recipes rely on heavy sweeteners or thick balsamic glazes, but we are opting for a brighter, zippier profile. Our signature touch involves using fresh lime juice as the acidic backbone. This sharp zest cuts beautifully through the sweetness of the berries and the mildness of the cucumber, providing an immediate awakening on the palate.

The Essential Refreshment for Any Al Fresco Gathering

When hosting outdoors, you need dishes that actively combat the heat, rather than contributing to it. Hydration is key, and both cucumbers and strawberries are naturally high in water content. Serving this Simple Strawberry Salad guarantees your guests feel refreshed. It’s visually stunning, too; the deep reds juxtaposed against the bright greens make for a stunning presentation that requires minimal garnish effort.

Why We Skip the Heavy Dressing in this Classic Pairing

A thick, overpowering dressing tends to mask the delicate flavour of fresh mint and ripe fruit. For this particular pairing, we champion a light, almost sheer coating that enhances, rather than drowns, the main components. The resulting Strawberry Cucumber Salad Dressing needs to be powerful enough to season but thin enough to feel barely present, ensuring the salad remains light from the first bite to the last.

Assembling Your Peak-Season Produce for the Best Cucumber Strawberry Salad

To achieve the unparalleled freshness this salad promises, ingredient selection is paramount. While the process is fast (our active prep time is only about 15 minutes), taking a moment to source the best components will elevate this beyond a quick chop job into a true culinary delight.

Selecting the Ideal Strawberries and English Cucumbers

For the fruit, look for strawberries that are deep red all the way to the top, avoiding any pale shoulders, as this signals a lack of ripeness and sweetness. You’ll want to hull and quarter about one pint’s worth (roughly 12 ounces) for the perfect size ratio when combined with the cucumber slices. English cucumbers are our go-to because they are typically seedless and their skin is tender enough to leave on, saving you peeling time while maximizing that essential garden crunch. Aim for two medium-sized specimens, sliced thinly—think about ⅛ of an inch thick.

Essential Pantry Staples for Depth (Including That Feta Touch)

While the dressing is vibrant, a tiny touch of complexity can be added by incorporating a small amount of very thinly sliced red onion. This is optional, but that faint, sharp bite adds a necessary grounding element to the sweetness. On top of that,, while this recipe focuses on simplicity, many chefs adore adding 3 ounces of salty, tangy Feta cheese crumbles right before serving. The creaminess and saltiness of the Feta beautifully balance the sweetness of the berries, turning this into a more substantial offering, often seen in a classic Strawberry Cucumber Salad with Feta and Mint .

The Secret Herb: Why Fresh Mint Elevates Everything

If you take away only one piece of advice for perfecting this dish, let it be this: do not substitute dried herbs here. This salad requires the cool, almost crystalline aroma of fresh mint. A quarter cup of loosely packed leaves, roughly chopped or sliced into thin ribbons (chiffonade), will release essential oils as you toss the salad, instantly infusing every bite with an authentic garden perfume that marries perfectly with the lime in the dressing.

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Crafting the Bright Citrus Vinaigrette: The Flavor Catalyst

The difference between a good salad and a great one often resides in the emufication process. We are not aiming for a heavy, gloopy dressing; rather, we seek a bright, perfectly seasoned glaze that coats every piece of fruit and vegetable without pooling at the bottom of the bowl. This is the core of our Honey Balsamic Dressing Recipe ’s lighter cousin—a sharp lime-forward approach.

Whipping Up the Lightest Dressing You've Ever Tasted

To create this phenomenal Strawberry Cucumber Salad Dressing , you will need three tablespoons of quality extra virgin olive oil as your fat base. The acid comes from two tablespoons of freshly squeezed lime juice. To balance this sharpness, we incorporate one tablespoon of honey or maple syrup (for a vegan option). The secret ingredient for structure is half a teaspoon of Dijon mustard; it acts as a natural emufier, helping the oil and lime juice bind together beautifully. Season generously with half a teaspoon of fine sea salt and a quarter teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper. The best technique? Place all these components into a small jar with a tight lid and shake vigorously until the mixture thickens slightly and looks homogenous.

Step-by-Step Construction: From Prep to Plating Perfection

Once all your components are ready—the cucumbers sliced, the berries quartered, and the dressing shaken—the final construction phase moves quickly. We want to treat the delicate strawberries with respect to maintain their shape and structural integrity.

The Precise Method for Slicing and Preparing the Produce

First, ensure your produce is thoroughly washed and completely dried. Moisture is the enemy of a crisp salad! Slice your cucumbers into uniform, thin rounds. Hull your strawberries and cut them into neat quarters; if you have very large berries, slicing them into eights is fine, but aim for pieces that are roughly the same size as the cucumber slices. If you are adding the optional red onion, make sure the slices are nearly translucent—use a mandolin if you have one for ultimate thinness.

Marinating Time: Allowing the Flavors of This Salad to Meld

This is where patience, even for a few minutes, pays dividends. Combine the cucumbers, strawberries, and onion in your large mixing bowl. Pour about two-thirds of the prepared citrus vinaigrette over the mixture. Toss gently, using large spoons or your hands, ensuring the coating is light. Now, for optimal flavour integration, cover the bowl and allow the Cucumber Strawberry Salad to rest in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes. This brief chill time allows the flavours to marry without causing the cucumbers to weep excessively.

Techniques for Maximum Crunch and Flavor Integration

Just before serving, gently fold in your freshly chopped mint. Give the salad one final, extremely light toss to distribute the mint evenly. Transfer the salad to your chosen serving platter. Resist the urge to pour over any remaining dressing unless the salad appears dry; usually, the amount used during the initial toss is sufficient, leaving you with a bright, flavourful, yet light finish.

Elevating Your Cucumber Strawberry Salad: Pro Tips and Smart Swaps

Every great recipe has room for personalization. These final tips ensure your salad is perfect for your occasion, addressing common concerns like sogginess and offering exciting additions.

Optional Add-Ins: Peaches, Nuts, and Herb Variations

If strawberries aren't quite at their peak, or you simply want to add another layer of texture, consider diced ripe peaches or nectarines for a complementary stone fruit sweetness. For crunch, toasted slivered almonds or candied pecans work beautifully, scattering golden texture across the top. While we champion mint, basil offers a richer, more savory counterpoint if you prefer a slightly different herbaceous note in your Strawberry Salad with Cucumber .

Preventing Soggy Cucumbers: The Pre-Salting Trick Explained

If you are using standard garden cucumbers (which are higher in water content than English varieties), employ the ancient Roman trick: slice the cucumbers, sprinkle them lightly with fine sea salt, and place them in a colander over a bowl for 10 minutes. The salt draws out excess moisture. Before adding them to the salad, blot them completely dry with paper towels. This step guarantees maximum crunch, even if you are making the salad an hour ahead of time.

Nutritional Snapshot: Light, Bright, and Healthy

This salad truly is a champion of healthy eating. Dominated by whole foods, it remains low in calories (typically around 150-180 per serving) and fat, deriving its modest fat content from heart-healthy olive oil. The natural sugars from the fruit are paired with substantial fibre, making it satisfying without being heavy—a perfect component for weight management or clean eating regimes.

Pairing Suggestions: What Main Dishes Complement This Dish Best

Because this Cucumber Strawberry Salad Recipe is so refreshing, it acts as a palate cleanser next to richer main courses. It shines alongside grilled protein, particularly salmon or chicken seasoned simply with lemon and herbs. It’s also the quintessential sidekick to a backyard barbecue spread, effortlessly balancing the smoky richness of brisket or pulled pork sliders. For beverage pairings, look for something equally crisp: a chilled dry Rosé or a homemade lemon-verbena iced tea will complement the lime and mint beautifully.