What could be more cooling and refreshing than this vibrant Cucumber Strawberry Salad with Watermelon? This incredibly simple salad is the perfect mix of sweet and savory, combining juicy strawberries, hydrating watermelon and cucumber, crisp red onion, and fresh mint, all tossed in a light lime and olive oil dressing. I absolutely adore making this Cucumber Strawberry Salad as soon as the weather starts warming up - it's like a taste of sunshine in a bowl! Perfect for spring picnics, summer barbecues, or just a light side dish, especially now on this beautiful late April day!
Why You'll Love This Cucumber Strawberry Salad
- Ultra Refreshing: Packed with hydrating watermelon and cucumber, sweet berries, and tangy lime - perfect for warm weather.
- Incredibly Easy & Quick: Requires only simple chopping and tossing; ready in 10 minutes!
- Fresh and Healthy: Loaded with fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs.
- Beautiful Presentation: The vibrant colors of the strawberries, watermelon, cucumber, and mint look stunning.
- Versatile Side Dish: Pairs wonderfully with grilled foods or serves as a light lunch.
Ingredients for Cucumber Strawberry Salad
Here's what you'll need to make this refreshing salad. The full list with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Salad Base
- Strawberries, hulled and diced (Fruit)
- Watermelon, seeded and cubed (Fruit)
- English cucumber, chopped (Vegetable)
- Red onion, sliced (Vegetable)
- Fresh mint leaves, chopped (Herb)
Dressing
- Olive oil (Oil)
- Fresh lime juice (Acid)
- Kosher salt (Seasoning)
- Fresh ground black pepper (Spice)
(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card below.)
Variations
I love the simple, bright flavors of this Cucumber Strawberry Salad, but feel free to customize:
- Add Feta or Goat Cheese: Crumble in some salty feta or creamy goat cheese for a savory contrast.
- Include Avocado: Gently fold in some diced avocado just before serving.
- Different Herbs: Use fresh basil or cilantro instead of or in addition to mint.
- Make it Spicy: Add some finely diced jalapeño for a little kick.
- Honey-Lime Dressing: Whisk a teaspoon of honey into the lime juice and olive oil for a slightly sweeter dressing.
- Add Other Berries: Toss in some blueberries or raspberries along with the strawberries.
How to Make Cucumber Strawberry Salad
Making this refreshing Cucumber Strawberry Salad couldn't be easier:
Combine Salad Ingredients & Dressing
- In a large serving bowl, I add my prepared fruits and vegetables: the diced strawberries, cubed watermelon, chopped English cucumber, and thinly sliced red onion.
- I scatter the chopped fresh mint leaves over the top.
- In a small bowl or jar, I whisk or shake together the olive oil, fresh lime juice, kosher salt, and fresh ground black pepper until combined.
- I drizzle this simple dressing over the ingredients in the large serving bowl.
Toss Gently and Serve
- Using large spoons or salad servers, I gently toss everything together until the fruit and vegetables are lightly coated with the dressing. I'm careful not to overmix or mash the delicate watermelon and strawberries.
- I taste the Cucumber Strawberry Salad and adjust the seasoning with more salt, pepper, or lime juice if desired.
- I can serve the salad immediately, or refrigerate it for up to 2 hours before serving for the flavors to meld and chill further. Enjoy! ❤️
Tips and Tricks for the BEST Fruit Salad
Here are my secrets for making this Cucumber Strawberry Salad truly exceptional:
- Use Fresh, Ripe Fruit: The quality of your strawberries and watermelon makes all the difference. Choose ripe, sweet, and juicy fruit.
- Chill Ingredients: Start with chilled watermelon and strawberries for the most refreshing salad.
- English Cucumber: English cucumbers have thinner skin and fewer seeds, making them ideal for salads where you might not want to peel or de-seed.
- Thinly Slice Onion: Slice the red onion very thinly so its flavor doesn't overpower the delicate fruits. Soaking sliced onion in ice water for 10 minutes can also mellow its bite.
- Fresh Mint & Lime: These fresh ingredients are crucial for the salad's bright, refreshing character.
- Gentle Toss: Mix gently to avoid crushing the watermelon and strawberries.
How to Serve
This Cucumber Strawberry Salad is the perfect refreshing side dish! Serve it chilled:
- At BBQs and Picnics: A fantastic cooling counterpoint to grilled meats, burgers, or barbecue chicken.
- For Potlucks: A light, healthy, and visually appealing contribution.
- As a Summer Side Dish: Perfect alongside grilled fish, shrimp skewers, or light pasta dishes.
- For Brunch: Adds a fresh, fruity element to a brunch spread.
Make Ahead and Storage
This salad is best enjoyed the day it's made due to the high water content of the ingredients.
- Prep Ahead: You can chop the watermelon, cucumber, and onion up to a day ahead. Store them separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. Slice the strawberries and chop the mint closer to serving time. Whisk the dressing ahead too.
- Assembly: Combine the ingredients and dress the salad within a few hours of serving for the best texture.
- Storage: Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 1 day. The fruit will release more water and soften over time, but it will still be tasty.
FAQs about Cucumber Strawberry Salad
- Can I use a different type of melon?
- Yes, cantaloupe or honeydew could be used instead of watermelon, though the flavor profile will be different and less classically "refreshing" perhaps than watermelon.
- Do I have to use mint?
- No, if you're not a fan of mint, fresh basil or cilantro would also be delicious herb choices in this Cucumber Strawberry Salad.
- Can I add cheese?
- Absolutely! Crumbled feta cheese is a very popular and delicious addition to watermelon salads, adding a salty contrast.
Enjoy this incredibly simple, refreshing, and beautiful Cucumber Strawberry Salad! It's a perfect taste of summer (and spring!).
Print
Cucumber Strawberry Salad (with Watermelon & Mint)
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: Salad, Side Dish, Vegan, Gluten-Free
- Cuisine: American
Description
This cucumber strawberry salad with watermelon is the perfect summer side to serve with grilled chicken or steak. What could be more cooling than a freshly cut strawberry salad with refreshing cucumber, watermelon, and mint?
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and diced
- 3 cups seedless watermelon, cubed
- 1 English cucumber, chopped (about 1 ½ cups)
- ½ red onion, thinly sliced
- Handful of fresh mint leaves, chopped
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- Juice of 1 fresh lime (about 2 tablespoons)
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt (or to taste)
- Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Prepare Fruits and Vegetables: Wash, hull, and dice the strawberries. Cube the watermelon (ensure it's seedless). Chop the English cucumber. Thinly slice the red onion. Chop the fresh mint leaves.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: Add the diced strawberries, cubed watermelon, chopped cucumber, thinly sliced red onion, and chopped fresh mint leaves to a large serving bowl.
- Dress and Season: Drizzle the olive oil and fresh lime juice over the ingredients in the bowl. Sprinkle with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Toss Gently: Toss the salad gently until all the ingredients are evenly combined and coated with the dressing. Be careful not to mash the fruit.
- Taste and Adjust: Taste the salad and adjust seasoning with more salt, pepper, or lime juice if desired.
- Serve or Chill: Serve the salad immediately or cover and refrigerate for up to 2 hours before serving for the flavors to meld and the salad to chill further.
Notes
- Fruit: Use ripe, sweet strawberries and watermelon for the best flavor.
- Cucumber: English cucumbers work well as they have thin skin and few seeds. Regular cucumbers can be used, but you may want to peel them and remove the seeds.
- Onion: For a milder onion flavor, soak the sliced red onion in cold water for 10-15 minutes, then drain well before adding to the salad.
- Herbs: Fresh mint is key here. You could also add fresh basil for a different flavor profile.
- Storage: This salad is best enjoyed the day it's made, as the watermelon and strawberries will release liquid over time. Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 1 day.
