Warm weather calls for light and cool meals. I love how a simple cucumber salad can make any day feel brighter. Today, I’m sharing some of my favorite refreshing cucumber salad recipes that are perfect for a quick lunch or a side dish.
These recipes use fresh ingredients and come together easily. You’ll find different flavor combinations, from tangy vinegar to sweet fruit, so there’s a cucumber salad for everyone. Let’s make some tasty, cool dishes!
Jump to Recipe:
- 1. Refreshing Chilled Cucumber Couscous Salad: A Cool Meal Idea
- 2. Refreshing Cucumber Feta Salad: A Simple Mediterranean Side
- 3. Refreshing Cucumber Strawberry Salad: Sweet & Cool Flavors
- 4. Refreshing Cucumber Vinegar Salad: A Tangy Classic
- 5. Refreshing Watermelon Cucumber Feta Salad: Sweet & Salty Goodness
Refreshing Chilled Cucumber Couscous Salad: A Cool Meal Idea
This salad combines tender couscous with crisp cucumber for a satisfying, cool dish. It’s light enough for lunch but hearty enough to keep you full.
Key Ingredients & Tips
- Couscous Prep: Cook your couscous with vegetable broth instead of just water for more flavor. Let it cool completely before mixing.
- Cucumber Choice: Use English cucumbers as they have fewer seeds and a thinner skin, making them great for salads without needing to peel.
What You Need
- 1 cup dry couscous
- 1 ½ cups vegetable broth
- 2 large English cucumbers, diced
- ¼ cup fresh mint, chopped
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
⏱️ Time: 25 minutes🍽️ Yields: 4 servings
How to Make It
Step 1: Cook Couscous
Bring the vegetable broth to a boil. Add the couscous, stir, cover, and remove from heat. Let it sit for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork. Let it cool completely in a wide bowl.
Step 2: Prep Vegetables
While the couscous cools, dice your cucumbers and chop the fresh mint. Place them in a large mixing bowl.
Step 3: Combine and Chill
Add the cooled couscous, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper to the bowl with the cucumbers and mint. Mix everything well. Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving.
📝 Final Note
For the best flavor, make this salad a few hours ahead and keep it in the fridge. This allows the flavors to blend together.
Refreshing Cucumber Feta Salad: A Simple Mediterranean Side
A classic combination, this salad brings together the crispness of cucumber with the salty kick of feta. It’s a quick and easy side that goes with almost anything.
Key Ingredients & Tips
- Feta Quality: Choose block feta and crumble it yourself for better texture and flavor compared to pre-crumbled types.
- Herb Freshness: Fresh dill or parsley adds brightness. Don’t skip it, as dried herbs won’t give the same vibrant taste.
What You Need
- 3 medium cucumbers, sliced
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
- ¼ cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- Salt and black pepper to taste
⏱️ Time: 15 minutes🍽️ Yields: 3-4 servings
How to Make It
Step 1: Slice & Chop
Slice your cucumbers and thinly slice the red onion. Chop the fresh dill. Put all these into a large salad bowl.
Step 2: Make Dressing
In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, salt, and pepper.
Step 3: Mix and Serve
Pour the dressing over the cucumber mixture. Add the crumbled feta cheese and gently toss everything together. Serve right away or chill for a bit.
📝 Final Note
If you prefer a milder onion taste, soak the sliced red onion in cold water for 10 minutes before adding it to the salad.
Refreshing Cucumber Strawberry Salad: Sweet & Cool Flavors
This unique salad pairs the coolness of cucumber with the sweetness of fresh strawberries. It’s a surprising and delightful combination that’s perfect for summer.
Key Ingredients & Tips
- Strawberry Ripeness: Use firm, ripe strawberries for the best flavor and texture. Avoid overly soft berries.
- Mint is Key: Fresh mint really elevates this salad by complementing both the cucumber and the strawberries.
What You Need
- 2 large cucumbers, sliced or diced
- 1 ½ cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
- ¼ cup fresh mint leaves, roughly chopped
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 tablespoon honey (optional)
- Pinch of salt
⏱️ Time: 10 minutes🍽️ Yields: 2-3 servings
How to Make It
Step 1: Prepare Fruits & Veggies
Slice your cucumbers and hull and slice the strawberries. Roughly chop the mint leaves. Combine them in a medium bowl.
Step 2: Make Light Dressing
In a small bowl, mix the lime juice, honey (if using), and a pinch of salt until well combined.
Step 3: Combine & Chill
Pour the dressing over the cucumber and strawberry mixture. Gently toss to coat. Chill for 15 minutes before serving for a cooler experience.
📝 Final Note
This salad is best enjoyed fresh. If you plan to make it ahead, keep the dressing separate and add it just before serving to prevent the strawberries from becoming too soft.
Refreshing Cucumber Vinegar Salad: A Tangy Classic
This simple cucumber salad uses a tangy vinegar dressing, making it a classic that’s always a hit. It’s incredibly easy to prepare and offers a crisp, zesty taste.
Key Ingredients & Tips
- Thin Slices: Use a mandoline or a very sharp knife to get extra thin cucumber slices for the best texture and to absorb the dressing well.
- Sweetener Balance: A touch of sugar or a sugar substitute balances the vinegar’s tang. Adjust it to your preference.
What You Need
- 3 medium cucumbers, thinly sliced
- ½ small red onion, very thinly sliced
- ½ cup white vinegar
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar (or sweetener)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill or parsley, chopped (optional)
⏱️ Time: 10 minutes (plus chilling)🍽️ Yields: 4 servings
How to Make It
Step 1: Slice Cucumbers & Onion
Thinly slice your cucumbers and red onion. A mandoline helps here. Place them in a large bowl.
Step 2: Prepare Vinegar Dressing
In a separate bowl, whisk together the white vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper until the sugar dissolves. Add chopped dill or parsley if you like.
Step 3: Mix and Chill
Pour the dressing over the sliced cucumbers and onion. Toss gently to ensure everything is coated. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or longer for more flavor.
📝 Final Note
The longer this salad chills, the more the cucumbers absorb the delicious tangy dressing. You can make it a day ahead for even better taste.
Refreshing Watermelon Cucumber Feta Salad: Sweet & Salty Goodness
This salad brings together the sweet juiciness of watermelon, the crispness of cucumber, and the salty taste of feta. It’s a fantastic mix of flavors, perfect for a sunny day.
Key Ingredients & Tips
- Seedless Watermelon: Opt for seedless watermelon to make prep easier and eating more enjoyable.
- Fresh Mint: Don’t skip the fresh mint! It truly brightens the whole salad and complements the watermelon wonderfully.
What You Need
- 3 cups cubed seedless watermelon
- 1 large cucumber, diced
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
- ¼ cup fresh mint leaves, chopped
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Pinch of salt and pepper
⏱️ Time: 15 minutes🍽️ Yields: 4 servings
How to Make It
Step 1: Cube Ingredients
Cut your watermelon into cubes and dice the cucumber. Crumble the feta cheese and chop the fresh mint. Place all these ingredients in a large bowl.
Step 2: Whisk Dressing
In a small bowl, whisk together the lime juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper until well combined.
Step 3: Combine and Serve
Pour the dressing over the watermelon, cucumber, feta, and mint. Gently toss the salad to mix everything. Serve immediately for the best texture.
📝 Final Note
This salad is best served fresh as watermelon can release a lot of water. If you need to prepare it ahead, keep the dressing separate and mix it in just before serving.
