Cucumber Strawberry Mint Salad (Print View)

Light and refreshing springtime salad with cucumber, strawberries, and mint, perfect for vibrant side dishes.

# Components:

→ Produce

01 - 1 large English cucumber, thinly sliced
02 - 1.5 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
03 - 0.25 cup fresh mint leaves, roughly chopped
04 - 2 cups mixed baby greens, optional

→ Dressing

05 - 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
06 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
07 - 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
08 - 0.25 teaspoon sea salt
09 - Freshly ground black pepper to taste

→ Garnish

10 - 0.25 cup crumbled feta cheese, optional
11 - 2 tablespoons toasted sliced almonds, optional

# Directions:

01 - In a large salad bowl, gently combine the cucumber slices, strawberries, mint, and baby greens if using.
02 - In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, honey, salt, and pepper until emulsified.
03 - Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine.
04 - Sprinkle with crumbled feta cheese and toasted almonds if desired.
05 - Serve immediately for optimal freshness and texture.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in 15 minutes flat, which means you can have a stunning salad on the table before anyone realizes you're cooking.
  • The combination of crisp, sweet, and herbaceous flavors tastes more elegant than it has any right to be for something this easy.
02 -
  • Don't make this salad more than 10 minutes before serving, or the cucumber will start releasing water and diluting your dressing—timing is everything with raw vegetable salads.
  • If you absolutely must prep ahead, keep the dressing separate and dress it just before your guests arrive, which is how restaurants manage it too.
03 -
  • Toast your own almonds in a dry skillet for 3-4 minutes if possible; store-bought toasted ones are never quite as fragrant, and the kitchen smell will convince you that you made the right choice.
  • Taste the dressing on its own before tossing—it should make you pause and say yes, this is right, because that's when you know the balance is perfect.
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