Zingy Cherry, Cucumber & Mozzarella Salad Recipe for Summer

Summer’s vibrant cherry, cucumber, and mozzarella salad promises a refreshing culinary adventure that tantalizes taste buds with unexpected flavor combinations.

Crisp vegetables and juicy fruits dance together in a light, elegant harmony that revamps ordinary ingredients into something extraordinary.

Mediterranean-inspired ingredients create a delightful contrast of textures and temperatures, making this dish perfect for warm afternoons.

Bold yet balanced flavors emerge from each carefully selected component, promising a delightful sensory experience.

Seasonal produce takes center stage, celebrating natural freshness and simple ingredient pairings that feel both sophisticated and approachable.

Complex yet uncomplicated, this salad offers a delightful way to reimagine traditional salad expectations.

You’ll appreciate how minimal effort yields maximum enjoyment with this colorful, nutritious creation.

Cherry, Cucumber, and Mozzarella Salad That Surprises

• Slice with Finesse: Mandoline technique transforms cucumber into elegant, paper-thin ribbons that create a delicate, sophisticated presentation while ensuring uniform texture.
• Quick Flavor Burst: Toasted pine nuts deliver a rich, nutty crunch in just one minute, elevating the salad's complexity with minimal effort and maximum taste impact.
• Fresh Summer Symphony: Combining sweet cherries, creamy mozzarella, crisp cucumber, and bright mint creates a vibrant, refreshing dish perfect for warm days and light dining experiences.
• Effortless Gourmet Touch: Simple vinaigrette and minimal preparation steps allow home cooks to craft a restaurant-quality salad in under 15 minutes, making impressive eating accessible and enjoyable.

Key Ingredients for Sweet, Crisp, and Creamy Harmony

• Cucumber: Crisp vegetable that provides a light, refreshing base for the salad with a delicate texture.
• Cherries: Sweet and tangy summer fruit that adds natural sweetness and vibrant color to the dish.
• Fresh Mint Leaves: Bright herb that brings a cool, aromatic freshness to the salad.

• Mozzarella: Soft, mild cheese that offers creamy texture and subtle flavor contrast.
• Pine Nuts: Buttery and rich nuts that provide a delicate crunch and nutty depth to the salad.

• Olive Oil: Smooth, fruity base that helps blend and carry the vinaigrette flavors.
• Vinegar: Tangy ingredient that balances and brightens the overall taste of the salad.
• Salt: Essential seasoning that enhances the natural flavors of all ingredients.
• Black Pepper: Warm, spicy seasoning that adds a subtle heat and complexity to the dish.

How to Assemble a Salad That Looks as Good as It Tastes

Step 1: Prepare Cucumber

Use a mandoline to create delicate cucumber ribbons or slice into thin rounds based on your preference.

Step 2: Process Cherries

Carefully halve the cherries and remove their pits, ensuring clean cuts.

Step 3: Toast Pine Nuts

Heat a dry skillet over high heat and toast pine nuts for 1 minute, watching closely to prevent burning.

Step 4: Create Vinaigrette

In a small mixing bowl, combine all vinaigrette ingredients and whisk until well blended.

Step 5: Assemble Salad

• Cucumber ribbons
• Halved cherries
• Torn mozzarella pieces
• Toasted pine nuts

Step 6: Finish and Serve

Drizzle the prepared vinaigrette over the salad.

Garnish with fresh mint leaves.

Sprinkle salt and pepper to enhance the flavors.

Optional: Gently toss ingredients to distribute dressing evenly.

Serve immediately to enjoy the freshest taste and crisp textures.

Tips to Keep Cucumber from Getting Watery

• Slice Smartly: Use a mandoline for paper-thin, uniform cucumber ribbons that create an elegant, delicate texture in the salad.
• Pit with Precision: Remove cherry pits carefully to maintain their beautiful shape and prevent any unwanted hard bits in your bite.
• Toast Carefully: Watch pine nuts closely while toasting; they can burn in seconds, so keep them moving constantly in the hot skillet.
• Chill Before Serving: Refrigerate the salad components briefly to enhance the refreshing quality and keep ingredients crisp and cool.
• Balance Flavors: Taste and adjust seasoning gradually, ensuring the salt and pepper complement the sweet cherries and creamy mozzarella without overpowering the delicate ingredients.

How to Store This Delicate Combo Just Right

• Refrigerate: Store leftover salad in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Keep dressing separate to prevent soggy cucumber ribbons and maintain crisp texture.
• Chill Quickly: Place container in the coldest part of your refrigerator, away from the door, to preserve freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Revive Before Serving: Let salad sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before eating. Gently toss ingredients and add a fresh drizzle of vinaigrette to refresh flavors and restore vibrant appearance.

What Complements Cherry and Mozzarella Beautifully

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Select a light, refreshing Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc to complement the salad's delicate flavors, cutting through the creamy mozzarella and enhancing the sweet cherry notes.
• Match with Fresh Bread: Serve a crusty sourdough or rustic baguette alongside the salad, perfect for soaking up the tangy vinaigrette and adding a satisfying textural contrast to the cucumber ribbons.
• Boost with Grilled Protein: Add a simple grilled chicken breast or seared salmon to transform this salad into a complete meal, balancing the light, fresh ingredients with a protein-rich component.
• Create a Summer Appetizer Spread: Pair with other light small plates like prosciutto-wrapped melon or goat cheese crostini to build a refreshing, elegant starter selection that highlights the salad's vibrant ingredients.

New Takes on the Classic Cherry Cucumber Salad

• Summer Garden Salad: Replace cherries with peaches and add crisp radish slices for extra crunch and peppery flavor.
• Mediterranean Remix: Swap pine nuts for toasted almonds, incorporate kalamata olives, and use feta cheese instead of mozzarella for a Greek-inspired version.
• Herb-Infused Delight: Substitute mint with fresh basil and add chopped chives to the vinaigrette for an aromatic herb profile that elevates the salad's complexity.
• Protein Power Bowl: Transform the salad by adding grilled chicken strips or seared shrimp to create a more substantial meal while maintaining the original fresh ingredients.

Cherry, Cucumber, And Mozzarella Salad Recipe

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4.8 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 22 minutes
• Yield: 2 1x

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Description

Mediterranean flavors dance in this refreshing salad where sweet cherries mingle with crisp cucumbers and creamy mozzarella. Zesty herbs and a light vinaigrette bring Mediterranean charm that makes you crave another forkful of this delightful summer dish.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Fresh Ingredients:

• 1 cup fresh cherries, pitted
• 1 cucumber, sliced
• 8 ounces (226 grams) fresh mozzarella, cubed

Dressing Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

Seasoning and Flavor Enhancers:

• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1 teaspoon grainy or strong mustard

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Instructions

1. Prepare the cucumber by carefully slicing it into delicate, translucent ribbons using a mandoline slicer. If a mandoline is unavailable, use a sharp knife to create thin, elegant slices.
2. Carefully pit the ripe cherries, cutting them precisely in half to reveal their vibrant interior.
3. Heat a dry skillet over high temperature and carefully toast the pine nuts, constantly stirring to prevent burning. The nuts should turn golden brown and release a fragrant aroma, which typically takes about 60-75 seconds.
4. Craft the vinaigrette by combining all designated ingredients in a small mixing bowl, whisking until the components are thoroughly integrated and emulsified.
5. Build the salad by artfully arranging the cucumber ribbons as a base layer on individual serving plates.
6. Distribute the halved cherries across the cucumber foundation, creating a visually appealing pattern.
7. Gently tear the fresh mozzarella into rustic pieces and scatter them over the cherry and cucumber arrangement.
8. Sprinkle the toasted pine nuts evenly across the salad, adding textural complexity.
9. Drizzle the prepared vinaigrette over the composed salad, ensuring a light and even coverage.
10. Garnish with delicate, freshly torn mint leaves for an aromatic finishing touch.
11. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper according to personal preference, ensuring a balanced flavor profile.

Notes

• Cool and refreshing salad that balances sweet cherries with crisp cucumber and creamy mozzarella.
• Toasting pine nuts quickly enhances their nutty flavor and adds a delightful crunch to the dish.
• Use a mandoline for perfectly thin, uniform cucumber ribbons that create an elegant presentation.
• Carefully remove cherry pits to ensure a smooth, enjoyable eating experience.
• Fresh mint leaves provide a bright, aromatic finish that elevates the entire salad.
• Homemade vinaigrette brings all ingredients together with a tangy, balanced dressing.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Mediterranean

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 2
• Calories: 180 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 16 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 5 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 10 mg