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Home » All posts » Side Dishes

Strawberry Cucumber Salad with Basil and Mozzarella

Updated: Jul 18, 2022 · Published: May 20, 2022 by Laura Yautz · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

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Strawberry Cucumber Salad is so fresh and delicious, you probably should double this recipe! It's sweet, crunchy, salty, herby, and tangy all at once. It goes well with most any typical Spring or Summer fare, which is great because you won't be able to get enough of it! Who doesn't love summer salads with strawberries?!

Strawberry cucumber salad on a small plate, from overhead

Is Mozzarella Cheese Healthy?

If you've followed me for any length of time, you may be surprised to see mozzarella cheese in a recipe. I use feta cheese here and there (check out Heart Healthy Pizza and Charred Corn Salad), but in general cheese is an ingredient I don't use much. Why?

Cheese tends to be quite high in sodium and saturated fat; two things that aren't good for heart health. Once in a while is totally fine to include, but I like to try to amp up flavor in other ways.

In this cucumber strawberry salad, we use fresh mozzarella. It really does bring something no other ingredient could, so we added it. Fresh mozzarella is lower in sodium than most cheese, but still adds some creamy brininess, so it was the perfect win-win here. I used fresh mozzarella pearls I found at Aldi, but you can use any size and cut it up to whatever size works best for you. We're using only 1 oz per person, and make sure to keep it there. Although fresh mozzarella can be called a healthier cheese, it still has 3 or 4 grams of saturated fat and about 85mg sodium per 1 oz serving. It's easy to eat lots of it because it's so tasty!

What's the best cucumber to use for salad?

The answer is a little individual, but I prefer English cucumbers or Persian cucumbers in salad. English cucumbers are the so-called seedless cucumbers, and what we're using in this balsamic cucumber salad. I like them because their skin is much thinner, and tends not to get bitter like some other cukes with thicker skins do. Also, since the seeds are so tiny/nonexistent, there's no "slimy" seedy middle to remove. They're a great slice-and-eat cucumber!

Persian cucumbers are very similar to English cucumbers in their taste, thin skins, and seedlessness, but they are tiny, and fun for snacking on whole. They'd be great to use in this recipe, too. I usually only buy Persian cucumbers in the summer, because it seems like their quality is hit or miss out of season (I have no official data to back that up!).

Cucumber strawberry salad with dressing, mostly eaten, on a plate.

What to eat with Strawberry Cucumber Salad

This delicious salad is a side dish, so it could really go with so many things! Here are some of my favorites:

  • Mediterranean Black Bean Quinoa Burgers
  • BBQ Chicken Breast
  • Lentil Baked Beans
  • Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers
  • Grilled Salmon or Trout
  • Marinated Vegetable Skewers
  • Zucchini Lasagna Rolls

FAQs and Substitutions

Can I use dried basil instead of fresh?

Yes, but the "fresh feel" of the salad may not be as high - still delicious though. To use dried basil instead of fresh, use about 1 tablespoon, and mix it in with the dressing instead of sprinkling it over the salad.

Where do you get white balsamic vinegar?

Most stores carry it right beside regular balsamic vinegar for about the same price. We use white balsamic mostly for aesthetics!

Can I use regular balsamic vinegar instead of white balsamic?

Yep. Just be prepared for the color of the balsamic to cover all the salad ingredients. Will still taste amazing!

If you make Strawberry Cucumber Salad with Basil and Mozzarella, tell me in the comments! I know you'll love it!

📖 Recipe

Strawberry cucumber salad on a small plate, from overhead

Strawberry Cucumber Salad with Basil and Mozzarella

Laura Yautz
Strawberry Cucumber Salad is so fresh and delicious, you probably should double this recipe! It's sweet, crunchy, salty, herby, and tangy all at once. It goes well with most any typical Spring or Summer fare, which is great because you won't be able to get enough of it!
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Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Total Time 15 minutes mins
Course Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 2
Calories 149 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the Salad

  • 1 cup slices of Seedless Cucumber (about ½ of a cucumber)
  • 1 cup slices of Strawberries
  • 2 oz Fresh Mozzarella Pearls
  • ¼ cup Fresh Basil, thin sliced (chiffonade)

For the Dressing

  • 1 tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 1 tablespoon White Balsamic Vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon Honey (optional)

Instructions
 

  • Toss all the ingredients for the salad together, or arrange decoratively on a plate if desired.
  • In a small bowl, whisk all the dressing ingredients together.
  • If eating immediately, toss the salad with the dressing.
  • If eating later, keep the dressing separate until just before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 149kcal (7%)Carbohydrates: 12.8g (4%)Protein: 10g (20%)Fat: 7.3g (11%)Saturated Fat: 1g (6%)Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.9gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 5.1mg (2%)Sodium: 214.5mg (9%)Potassium: 242.2mg (7%)Fiber: 2.3g (10%)Sugar: 8.8g (10%)Vitamin A: 47.3IU (1%)Vitamin C: 46.7mg (57%)Calcium: 300.6mg (30%)Iron: 0.7mg (4%)

*Nutrition information is an estimate, and will change based on the brand and individual ingredients and amounts you use. This is provided for your convenience only.

Keyword cucumber salad, strawberry salad
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Small plate with salad on it. Text overlay: Strawberry Cucumber Salad with basil, fresh mozzarella, and honey balsamic vinaigrette.

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Laura Yautz in her kitchen

Hi, I'm Laura!

I’m a Registered Dietitian and I love food and cooking, It’s my passion to help you discover how delicious and easy heart healthy eating can be! I’m glad you’re here! Take a look around. You’re going to LOVE Being Nutritious!

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