Fresh Cucumber Salad Recipe
A refreshing and flavorful Fresh Cucumber Salad combining crisp cucumbers, sweet cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and vibrant red onion, all tossed in a zesty homemade balsamic and herb marinade. Perfect as a light side dish or a quick, healthy snack.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Marinade
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon dried basil (or fresh basil)
- Pinch salt
- Pinch pepper
Salad
- 1 cucumber, peeled, fork-scored, thinly sliced, then diced
- 1½ cups cherry tomatoes, cut into quarters
- 8 oz fresh mozzarella, sliced or pearl-sized
- ½ large red onion, chopped into small pieces
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a small bowl, combine 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar, 1 tablespoon dried oregano, 1 tablespoon dried basil, and a pinch each of salt and pepper. Stir well until all ingredients are fully blended. Set aside to allow the flavors to meld.
- Prepare the Cucumbers: Peel a washed cucumber and use a fork to scrape the skin vertically several times to create a textured surface. Thinly slice the cucumber, then dice into small pieces. Transfer the diced cucumber to a medium-sized bowl.
- Add Tomatoes and Onion: Quarter 1½ cups of washed cherry tomatoes and add them to the bowl with the cucumbers. Chop ½ large red onion into small pieces and add to the bowl as well. If desired, you may omit the onion.
- Add the Mozzarella: Slice 8 oz fresh mozzarella into bite-sized pieces or use pearl-sized mozzarella balls if available. Add the mozzarella to the bowl with the other vegetables. Gently mix to distribute all ingredients evenly.
- Combine and Marinate: Pour the prepared marinade over the salad ingredients. Toss thoroughly to coat every piece well. Let the salad sit for at least 10 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to blend beautifully.
Notes
- For a fresher flavor, use fresh basil instead of dried if available.
- Adjust the amount of salt and pepper to taste.
- You can substitute balsamic vinegar with lemon juice for a different tang.
- This salad is best served chilled or at room temperature.
- Omit red onion for a milder salad or if you prefer less pungency.
Keywords: cucumber salad, fresh salad, mozzarella salad, balsamic dressing, Mediterranean salad, no-cook salad, healthy salad, summer salad
Find it online: https://todayfoodrecipe.com/fresh-cucumber-salad-recipe/
