5-Minute Refreshing Cucumber Strawberry Salad You’ll Crave

Author: Sarah

Published: July 19, 2025

Picture this: a hot summer day, you’re craving something cool and refreshing, and boom – my cucumber strawberry salad comes to the rescue! This isn’t just any salad, friends. It’s that magical combo of crisp cukes and juicy sweet strawberries that makes your taste buds do a happy dance. I’ve been making this beauty for years, and let me tell you – it’s foolproof! Five minutes of prep, zero cooking, and you’ve got this gorgeous bowl of goodness that’s as good for your body as it is delicious. The way the balsamic dressing ties everything together? Absolute perfection. Whether you need a quick lunch, a potluck star, or just a healthy snack, this cucumber strawberry salad has your back!

Table of contents:

Why You’ll Love This Cucumber Strawberry Salad

Oh, where do I even start? This salad is my summer lifesaver for so many reasons! First, it’s ready in a flash—no cooking, no fuss, just fresh, vibrant flavors that come together in minutes. The sweet strawberries and crisp cucumbers? A match made in heaven. And that tangy-sweet balsamic dressing? It’s like a little party in your mouth. Whether you’re serving it at a BBQ, packing it for lunch, or just craving something light and refreshing, this salad does it all. Plus, it’s healthy enough to feel good about but tasty enough that you’ll keep going back for seconds. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll be hooked!

Ingredients for Cucumber Strawberry Salad

Okay, let’s gather our goodies! Here’s what you’ll need for that perfect sweet-and-crisp combo:

2 large cucumbers – thinly sliced (I like them with just a bit of skin left on for color)
1 pint fresh strawberries – hulled and sliced (use the ripest, juiciest ones you can find!)
¼ cup red onion – thinly sliced (trust me, it adds the perfect zing)

2 tablespoons fresh mint – chopped (this makes it taste like summer in every bite)
2 tablespoons olive oil – the good stuff
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

1 teaspoon honey – adjust to taste if your berries are super sweet
¼ teaspoon each salt & black pepper – just enough to make flavors pop

See? Nothing fancy – just fresh, simple ingredients that work magic together!

How to Make Cucumber Strawberry Salad

Alright, let’s get to the fun part – putting this beauty together! I promise it’s so easy you could do it with your eyes closed (though maybe keep them open for the knife work). Just follow these simple steps, and you’ll have a showstopper salad in no time.

Step 1: Prepare the Vegetables and Fruits

First things first – give those cucumbers and strawberries a good rinse under cold water. I like to leave just a bit of cucumber peel on for color and texture. Slice them about ¼-inch thick – you want everything bite-sized but still substantial. For the red onion, go as thin as you can manage (my knife skills aren’t perfect, and that’s okay!). The key is getting everything roughly the same size so each forkful is perfectly balanced.

Step 2: Make the Dressing

Now for the magic potion! Grab a small bowl and whisk together the olive oil and balsamic vinegar until they’re best friends. Stir in the honey – you might want to adjust this depending on how sweet your strawberries are. A pinch of salt and pepper, give it one more quick whisk, and boom – you’ve got dressing that’ll make this salad sing!

Step 3: Assemble the Salad

Time to bring it all together! Gently toss the cucumbers, strawberries, onions and mint in a big bowl – I use my hands because I’m messy like that. Drizzle that gorgeous dressing over top and give it just a few light tosses to coat everything evenly. Here’s the secret: let it chill for at least 15 minutes before serving. This lets the flavors get to know each other and turns good into absolutely amazing!

Tips for the Best Cucumber Strawberry Salad

Oh honey, let me share my hard-earned tricks for making this salad truly shine! First, always use ripe strawberries – they should smell like summer before you even slice them. Taste your dressing as you go – sometimes those berries are sweet enough that you can cut back on the honey. And here’s my secret weapon: crumble in some feta cheese right before serving. That salty tang against the sweet fruit? Absolute perfection! One last thing – don’t skip the chilling time. Those 15 minutes in the fridge transform good into “can I have the recipe?” amazing!

Cucumber Strawberry Salad Variations

Listen, this salad is so versatile it practically begs for personal touches! For extra creaminess, toss in some diced avocado right before serving (just don’t let it sit too long or it’ll brown). Need crunch? Toasted almonds or pecans are my go-to. And if you want to make it a meal, grilled shrimp or shredded chicken turn it into something truly special. Not a balsamic fan? Try lemon juice instead – still bright and tangy but a whole different vibe. The beauty of this salad is how easily it adapts to what you’re craving!

Serving Suggestions for Cucumber Strawberry Salad

Oh, the places this salad will go! My favorite way? Piled high next to some juicy grilled chicken – the cool crunch against that smoky char is everything. It’s also dreamy with seared salmon or shrimp skewers for a light summer dinner. But honestly? Sometimes I just grab a fork and eat it straight from the bowl while standing at the fridge – no shame in my salad game!

How to Store Cucumber Strawberry Salad

Okay, real talk – this salad is best the day you make it, but I get it, sometimes you’ve got leftovers! Pop them in an airtight container in the fridge, and they’ll keep for about 2 days. Just know the cucumbers will get a bit softer and the strawberries might release some juice – still tasty, just different! My tip? If you know you’ll have leftovers, keep the dressing separate until you’re ready to eat again.

Cucumber Strawberry Salad Nutrition Information

Here’s the scoop on what’s in this beautiful bowl of goodness! One generous serving (about 1 cup) comes in at around 90 calories, with 5g of good-for-you fats from that olive oil. You’re getting 2g of fiber and just 8g of natural sugars from the strawberries. Now, keep in mind – nutrition can vary depending on your exact ingredients (especially if you add that feta I keep raving about!). But overall? This is one of those rare treats that’s as nutritious as it is delicious!

Frequently Asked Questions

Absolutely! While I love balsamic’s rich depth, apple cider vinegar gives a brighter, fruitier tang. Start with half the amount as it’s more potent, then taste and adjust. Either way, you’ll get that delicious sweet-tart balance we’re after!

Honestly? It’s happiest eaten within a day. The strawberries release juice and cucumbers soften over time. If you must store it, keep it airtight in the fridge up to 2 days – just expect texture changes. I often prep ingredients separately and combine right before serving.

Totally! Prep everything except the dressing up to 4 hours ahead. Keep sliced ingredients chilled separately, then toss together with dressing about 30 minutes before serving. The mint stays perkier this way too!