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 1/2 cups)
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
- Handful of fresh mint leaves, chopped
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- Juice of 1 fresh lime (about 2 tablespoons)
- 1/4 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.