Strawberry Cucumber Salad

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This beautiful summer salad recipe with strawberries and cucumbers is refreshing and delicious.

It's perfect for late spring and early summer when strawberries are at their peak. The crunchy cucumber pairs perfectly and it's topped with a healthy portion of chopped herbs and crumbly feta.

Why You'll Love this Salad

This fresh strawberry cucumber salad is a delightful dish that serves 4 to 6 as a side salad. You could also enjoy it as a light lunch for 2 to 3 people.

Cucumber and strawberries might not seem like a natural pairing, but they work well together. The juicy brightness of the berries is offset by the crunchy, cool flavor of the cucumbers. Paired with the balsamic vinaigrette it's a perfect salad.

This is also just a really pretty salad, so it would be a great dish to take to a picnic or potluck or to serve at a dinner party or brunch.

Ingredients

You don't need much to make this recipe, so focus on getting the freshest/best quality ingredients possible!

Strawberries - You'll need two cups of strawberries for this recipe. I like to cut them into coins, because they look cute, but they can be quartered as well.

Cucumber - You'll need one English cucumber that you'll cut into thin slices. If you use a regular hothouse cucumber for this recipe, peel the skin first as it tends to be bitter. The nice thing about English cucumbers is their skin is thin enough and mild enough that you don't need to peel it.

Feta - You'll use 2 ounces of crumbly feta. I like to crumble feta quite small, that way there are more pieces of it throughout the salad and you get the flavor in each bite.

Herbs - You'll need ¼ cup of chopped mint and ½ cup of chopped basil.

Toppings - Finally, you'll need 2 tablespoons of the best quality olive oil you have, 2 teaspoons of balsamic glaze (this is reduced balsamic vinegar), and 2 teaspoons of flaky sea salt (I used Maldon).

Instructions

Slice the strawberries and cucumbers into thin, coin-shaped slices. Then toss with the feta. Place them in a large bowl. 

Drizzle the olive oil and balsamic over the top of the salad. Sprinkle the sea salt over the salad and then top with the basil and mint.

Allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving, so the flavors come together. 

Substitutions & Variations

Try some of these variations for some different flavors.

• Red Onion - if you'd like an allium kick, add a few slices of red onion or shallots to your salad.
• Cheese - you can substitute the feta for goat cheese or blue cheese.
• Salad Dressings - feel free to substitute the balsamic for some balsamic glaze or add in some apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, or lime juice.
• Nuts or Seeds - if you'd like a bit more heft, add in some chopped pistachios, sesame seeds, or toasted pine nuts.

How to Choose the Best Strawberries

If you love fresh strawberries, you need to know these tips for choosing the freshest berries.

• Smell - The best strawberries will actually smell like strawberries. When you walk into a grocery store or pick up a pint at a farmer's market and you can smell the sweetness of the berries, they're going to taste great.
• Size - The best strawberries are usually smaller - they have the most flavor.
• Color - The best strawberries will be red all the way through. Berries that have been picked early will get redder on the outside but will never fully ripen inside.
• Appearance - Avoid berries that have holes, bruising, or gouges.
• Mold - If you're buying berries in a plastic container, flip them over to check the berries on the bottom. Usually the bottom of the container molds first, so make sure there are no signs of mold or moisture.

More Fresh Fruit Salad Recipes to Try

If you like a refreshing fruit salad, check out some of our other simple recipes for busy weeknights.

• Strawberry and Cantaloupe Salad - full of flavor and super easy to make, this strawberry cantaloupe salad is one of our all-time favorite recipes
• Goldenberry Burrata Salad - tart and tangy goldenberries combine with creamy burrata for a wonderful salad that can be served with toasted bread
• Watermelon Mozzarella Salad - these fun watermelon mozzarella stacks are a perfect appetizer or side salad for summer
• Italian Tomato Salad - this fresh tomato salad is topped with herbs and a delicious dressing.

Tips for Making a Strawberry Cucumber Salad

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Specialty Ingredients - You can use any sea salt you like for this recipe, but I love Maldon sea salt - the large flakes work well in salads like this.

Storing Tips - You can save this salad in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in an airtight container.

Diet/Allergy Alternatives - If you'd like to make this recipe vegan or dairy-free, omit the feta cheese and add another ¼ of herbs or some toasted pine nuts.

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