This strawberry cucumber salad is made with tangy feta, refreshing mint and zesty balsamic dressing. Light and delicious, it's the perfect summer salad, suitable for any occasion. Ready in only 10 minutes!
Strawberry cucumber salad is a sweet and savoury summer dish that's full of colour, texture and delicious flavours. Strawberries, which are predominantly used in 'sweet' recipes, make a surprisingly delicious ingredient when used in a savoury dish (see also my strawberry pasta). The combination of strawberries and cucumber is sweet but also refreshing while the addition of feta intensifies the savouriness of this summer salad (and adds protein!).
My zesty strawberry and cucumber salad is easy to make and comes together quickly. Simply cut the strawberries and cucumber into slices, arrange on top of arugula (or other salad greens, see suggestions below) and add the rest of the ingredients. I added the balsamic vinegar and the oil separately (that way you can taste the balsamic but the salad won't be too vinegary) though you can combine them before using, if preferred.
Strawberry cucumber salad ingredients and substitutions
- Strawberries: use fresh. Frozen then defrosted strawberries are not a suitable alternative.
- Cucumber: if possible, use seasonal.
- Feta cheese: you can use goat's cheese, instead. For a vegan option omit the cheese.
- Red onion: you can use white onion or another sweet onion variety, instead.
- Arugula/rocket leaves: baby spinach, watercress or other soft salad leaves (not crunchy iceberg lettuce) are good alternatives.
- Pistachios: these add colour and crunch, but you can use toasted sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds, instead.
- Herbs: mint and dill.
- Balsamic vinegar: you can use balsamic crema, instead (halve the amount) and omit the honey.
- Honey: use maple syrup as a vegan alternative.
- Oil: I recommend good quality extra virgin olive oil.
- Lemon juice: add to taste.
- Salt and pepper: these help to bring all the flavours together, so don't forget to season your cucumber and strawberry salad!
Step-by-step recipe instructions
1. Assemble salad: Spread the arugula over the bottom of your serving dish. Arrange the strawberries and cucumber on top in a single layer.
2. Add remaining ingredients: Add the herbs, feta, onion and pistachios.
3. Serve: Combine the balsamic vinegar with honey and drizzle over the salad. Add the oil, a little lemon juice and salt and pepper to taste. Serve.
Serving suggestions
This summer strawberry cucumber and feta salad makes a delicious bbq dish, perfect with grilled chicken or grilled vegetables. You can also serve it as a light meal with fresh crusty bread.
If you would like to add a different flavour twist drizzle it with blueberry vinaigrette instead of balsamic.
What dish to use
This strawberry salad with cucumber is best served in a shallow wide-base bowl or large plate/platter as this will make it visually appealing. Also deep bowls work better for hearty salads, such as potato or egg salad, and since strawberries are quite delicate they shouldn't become mixed in with the other ingredients and end up at the bottom of the dish.
Top tips
- For best results use fresh seasonal ingredients, if possible.
- I recommend arranging your salad on top of a large bowl with a wide base or plate/platter.
- You can assemble your fresh strawberry cucumber salad (without the dressing) 20 minutes before serving. Add the dressing when you are ready to serve it (otherwise the salad will become soggy and the strawberries, infused with balsamic vinegar, won't taste as fresh).
More salads with fruit to try next
- Balsamic Blueberry Salad
- Grapefruit Salad
- Cantaloupe Summer Salad
- Quinoa Roasted Fruit Salad
- Vegetarian Pomelo Salad
See also these other easy, delicious salad recipes!
Recipe
Strawberry Cucumber Salad with Feta
Ingredients
- ⅔ pound (300 g) strawberries sliced
- 1 cucumber 8"/20cm, unpeeled, sliced
- 2.12 ounces (60 g) arugula/rocket leaves 2 handfuls
- ½ cup (90 g) feta cubed or crumbled
- ½ small red onion very finely sliced
- 2 tablespoons mint leaves finely chopped, approx. 10 leaves
- 1 tablespoon dill chopped, no stems
- ⅓ cup (40 g) pistachios roughly chopped
- fine sea salt and pepper to taste
For the Dressing:
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar or balsamic crema, use less
- 2 teaspoons honey omit if using crema
- 1-2 teaspoons lemon juice or to taste
Instructions
- Assemble salad: Spread the arugula over the bottom of your serving dish. Arrange the strawberries and cucumber on top in a single layer.
- Add remaining ingredients: Add the herbs, feta, onion and pistachios.
- Serve: Combine the balsamic vinegar with honey and drizzle over the salad. Add the oil, a little lemon juice and salt and pepper to taste. Serve.
Notes
- For best results use fresh seasonal ingredients, if possible.
- I recommend arranging your salad on top of a large bowl with a wide base or plate/platter.
- You can assemble your fresh strawberry cucumber salad (without the dressing) 20 minutes before serving. Add the dressing when you are ready to serve it (otherwise the salad will become soggy and the strawberries, infused with balsamic vinegar, won't taste as fresh).
Nutrition
*Nutritional information is automatically generated and should be considered as an estimate.
**A note about baking: If using a fan-assisted oven refer to your appliance's instructions and adjust the temperature accordingly.
Keep in touch!
If you make this easy strawberry cucumber salad recipe I'd love to know how it turned out for you. Let me know in the comments below, thanks:)
Follow me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for regular recipe updates! Or you could subscribe to this blog and receive all my latest recipes right into your mailbox!
Kate says
The strawberries look like they really make this dish! great salad! xx
Monika says
Thank you:)
Jhuls says
This looks delicious!
Monika says
Thank you:)
Angie says
I love it! It's gorgeous. I do have strawberries and in the garden!
Monika says
Then you must make this salad:) You'll like it.
Alex says
Such a beautiful Summer salad!
Monika says
Thank you:)
Vicky says
Wow that is simply stunning! Seasonal, fresh and delicious ingredients x
Monika says
Thank you:)