Chef Sarah Mitchell - Fresh Food Specialist
👨‍🍳 Fresh Food Chef

Recipe by Mitchell

🎓 Nutrition Certification ⏰ 12+ Years Experience 🍽️ Farm-to-Table Expert

❤️ My Recipe Story

"This refreshing salad was inspired by a summer farmers market visit where I discovered the perfect pairing of crisp cucumbers and sweet strawberries. The combination creates a surprisingly sophisticated flavor profile that's both cooling and satisfying."

Sarah specializes in fresh, seasonal cooking that celebrates the natural flavors of high-quality ingredients. She's passionate about creating healthy dishes that don't compromise on taste or visual appeal.

View All Mitchell's Recipes →
Colorful cucumber strawberry salad with fresh mint, crumbled feta, and pine nuts in a white ceramic bowl, showing vibrant green and red colors

The Perfect Summer Combination

The magic of this salad lies in the unexpected harmony between crisp, cooling cucumbers and sweet, juicy strawberries. The contrasting textures and complementary flavors create a refreshing dish that's both satisfying and light.

The mint and lime dressing ties everything together, providing bright acidity that enhances both the fruit and vegetable components. Feta cheese adds a creamy, tangy element that elevates this simple salad into something special.

💡 Professional Tip

Slice cucumbers as thinly as possible for the best texture. A mandoline slicer works perfectly, but a sharp knife and steady hand will also achieve great results.

Frequently Asked Questions

This salad is best enjoyed within 2 hours of preparation. The strawberries will release juice and the cucumbers may become watery if left too long.

Yes, the dressing can be made up to 2 days ahead and stored in the refrigerator. Give it a good whisk before using as the oil may separate.

English (seedless) cucumbers are ideal as they have thin skin and fewer seeds. Regular cucumbers work too, but you may want to peel them and remove seeds if they're large.

Yes, goat cheese, fresh mozzarella, or even ricotta work well. For a dairy-free option, try toasted sunflower seeds or chopped avocado.

Salt the cucumber slices lightly and let them drain for 15 minutes, then pat dry. Add the dressing just before serving to minimize juice release.

Watermelon, cantaloupe, or fresh peaches make excellent substitutions or additions to the strawberries for variety.

Absolutely! Grilled chicken, shrimp, or chickpeas work wonderfully. You can also add quinoa or couscous for a heartier salad.

Store components separately - keep dressing separate and add just before eating. The salad components can be prepped 1 day ahead when stored properly.

Recipe Troubleshooting Guide

✅

Watery Salad

Problem: Salad becomes too watery after sitting

Solution: Salt cucumbers and drain, pat strawberries dry, and add dressing just before serving. Use a slotted spoon to serve.

✅

Bland Flavor

Problem: Salad lacks flavor despite following recipe

Solution: Add more lime juice and salt to brighten flavors. Fresh herbs like basil or mint can also enhance taste.

✅

Soggy Texture

Problem: Ingredients become mushy too quickly

Prevention: Keep ingredients well-chilled, slice just before serving, and avoid over-dressing the salad.

✅

Unbalanced Sweetness

Problem: Salad is either too sweet or not sweet enough

Recovery: Adjust honey in dressing, choose strawberries at proper ripeness, or add a pinch of salt to balance sweetness.

✅

Poor Presentation

Problem: Salad doesn't look as appealing as expected

Prevention: Use uniform slicing, arrange ingredients attractively, and garnish with fresh herbs and colorful toppings.

✅

Flavor Balance Issues

Too Sweet: Add more lime juice or a pinch of salt

Too Salty: Add more honey or fresh fruit

Bland: Increase lime zest, add more mint, or use flaky sea salt for finishing

Fresh ingredients for cucumber strawberry salad including sliced cucumbers, strawberries, mint, lime, and feta cheese arranged on a marble surface

Selecting the Best Ingredients

Choose firm, ripe strawberries with bright red color and fresh green tops. Avoid berries that are overly soft or have white shoulders, as they won't provide the best flavor or texture for this salad.

English cucumbers are preferred for their thin skin and minimal seeds, but regular cucumbers work well too. Look for firm cucumbers without soft spots, and consider peeling regular cucumbers if the skin is thick or waxy.

Essential Ingredient Notes

  • Strawberries: Choose berries that are firm, fragrant, and deep red. Smaller berries often have more concentrated flavor than larger ones.
  • Cucumbers: English cucumbers need no peeling, but if using regular cucumbers, peel them and remove seeds if they're large and seedy.
  • Fresh Mint: Look for bright green leaves without brown spots. Mint should smell fresh and aromatic. Store in water like cut flowers to maintain freshness.
Hands tossing fresh cucumber strawberry salad with mint dressing in a large glass bowl, showing the mixing technique

Assembly and Presentation Tips

The key to a beautiful cucumber strawberry salad is uniform slicing and gentle mixing. Slice ingredients just before serving to maintain the best texture and prevent the salad from becoming watery.

Layer the ingredients strategically for the most appealing presentation. Start with cucumbers as a base, add strawberries for color contrast, then finish with cheese and nuts for texture variety.

Perfect Slicing Technique

Use a mandoline or sharp knife to create thin, uniform slices. This ensures even distribution of flavors and creates an elegant, restaurant-quality appearance.

Cucumber Strawberry Salad

Prep 15 min
Cook 0 min
Serves 4 servings
Level Easy

📋 Ingredients

For the Salad

  • 60ml fresh lime juice
    Provides bright acidity
  • 15ml honey
    Balances tartness naturally
  • 30ml extra virgin olive oil
    Creates smooth dressing base
  • Zest of 1 lime
    Adds aromatic citrus oils
  • 1/4 tsp salt
    Enhances all flavors
  • 1/8 tsp black pepper
    Adds subtle warmth

For the Dressing

  • 2 large English cucumbers, thinly sliced
    Provides crisp, cooling base
  • 450g fresh strawberries, sliced
    Choose ripe, firm berries
  • 30g fresh mint leaves, chopped
    Adds aromatic freshness
  • 60g crumbled feta cheese
    Provides creamy, tangy contrast
  • 30g toasted pine nuts
    Adds satisfying crunch
  • 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
    Soaking reduces sharpness
  • Fresh mint sprigs
    For beautiful garnish

Instructions

  1. Prepare Vegetables and Fruit

    Wash and thinly slice cucumbers using a mandoline or sharp knife. Hull strawberries and slice them into quarters. Thinly slice red onion and soak in cold water for 10 minutes to reduce sharpness.

  2. Make Dressing

    In a small bowl, whisk together lime juice, honey, olive oil, lime zest, salt, and pepper until well combined. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

  3. Assemble Salad

    In a large serving bowl, combine sliced cucumbers, strawberries, and drained red onion. Add chopped mint and gently toss with the dressing.

  4. Add Toppings

    Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese and toasted pine nuts over the salad. Garnish with fresh mint sprigs and serve with lime wedges.

  5. Serve Fresh

    Serve immediately at room temperature or chilled. Best enjoyed within 2 hours of preparation to maintain optimal texture and freshness.

Recipe Notes & Tips

Storage

This salad is best served fresh. If you must store it, keep the dressing separate and add just before serving. Components can be prepped 1 day ahead.

Serving Suggestions

Perfect as a light lunch, side dish for grilled meats, or starter for dinner parties. Pairs beautifully with white wine or sparkling water with mint.

Variations

Try adding fresh basil instead of mint, substitute goat cheese for feta, or add sliced avocado for extra creaminess. Watermelon can replace some strawberries for variety.