Refreshing Cucumber Blueberry Harmony: Summer Salad Recipe

Summer’s heat calls for a refreshing cucumber blueberry salad that dances with vibrant flavors and colors.

Crisp cucumbers mingle with juicy blueberries, creating a delightful contrast of textures and tastes.

Bright purple berries and cool green slices make this salad a visual stunner on any plate.

A light, zesty dressing ties together the fresh ingredients with a tangy punch.

Each forkful bursts with sweet and refreshing notes that instantly cool you down.

The dish comes together in mere minutes, perfect for lazy afternoons or quick gatherings.

You’ll love how this simple yet elegant salad becomes the star of your summer spread.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time:

Total Time: 10 minutes

Calories: 150 kcal

Servings: 5

Everything That Goes in Cucumber Blueberry Salad

• Cucumber: Crisp base that adds refreshing crunch and hydration to the salad, select firm and bright green cucumbers without soft spots.
• Blueberries: Sweet bursts of flavor that complement the cucumber's mild taste, choose plump, deep blue berries with smooth skin.
• Fresh Mint Leaves: Aromatic herb that elevates the salad's brightness, pick vibrant green leaves without wilting or browning edges.

• Sliced Almonds: Provides delightful nutty crunch and nutritional boost, select golden-colored almonds with no signs of rancidity.

• Lemon Juice: Tangy element that balances flavors and adds zesty brightness, use fresh lemons for maximum citrus punch.
• Olive Oil: Smooth binding agent that creates silky dressing texture, choose extra virgin for richer flavor profile.
• Honey: Natural sweetener that softens dressing's acidity, opt for local or raw honey for deeper taste.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor complexity, use fine sea salt for even distribution.
• Black Pepper: Adds subtle warmth and spiciness, freshly ground provides more robust taste.

What You’ll Use to Assemble This Summer Salad

• Large bowl: Essential for mixing and combining salad ingredients.
• Cutting board: Sturdy surface for slicing cucumbers and mint leaves.
• Sharp knife: Precise tool for creating bite-sized cucumber pieces and thin mint ribbons.
• Small bowl: Used for whisking together the dressing ingredients.
• Whisk: Perfect for blending lemon juice, olive oil, honey, salt, and pepper smoothly.

Mixing Your Salad Just Right

• Cucumber Preparation

Chop cucumbers into delightful bite-sized chunks that will dance in your salad bowl.

• Berry and Nut Magic

Sprinkle sweet blueberries and crunchy almonds alongside the cucumber pieces, creating a colorful landscape of flavors.

• Mint Ribbon Creation

Gently shred fresh mint leaves into delicate, whisper-thin strips that will add a bright, aromatic touch to the mix.

• Zesty Dressing Fusion

Whirl together a quick dressing of tangy lemon juice, smooth olive oil, golden honey, and a pinch of seasoning until the mixture sings with harmony.

• Final Salad Symphony

Drizzle the vibrant dressing over the ingredients and gently toss, ensuring every morsel gets a loving coat of flavor. Serve chilled and enjoy the refreshing burst of summer on your plate.

Flavor Tips: Herbs, Add-Ins, and Texture Tricks

• Swap blueberries with strawberries or raspberries for a different fruity twist and vibrant color palette.
• Sprinkle chia seeds or hemp hearts for added protein and omega-3 fatty acids, making the salad more filling and nutritious.
• Prepare the dressing and chop ingredients separately, then combine just before serving to maintain crisp textures and prevent soggy salad.
• Replace almonds with toasted pumpkin seeds or chopped walnuts for varied texture and complementary nutty flavors that enhance the salad's overall profile.
• Experiment with alternative fresh herbs like basil or cilantro instead of mint to create unique flavor combinations that surprise and delight your taste buds.

Ways to Serve This Fresh and Fruity Mix

• Summer Picnic Star: Pack this refreshing salad in a portable container for outdoor gatherings, keeping it chilled with an ice pack for maximum enjoyment.
• Protein Power Boost: Sprinkle grilled chicken strips or crumbled feta cheese on top to transform this light salad into a more substantial meal with added protein.
• Elegant Appetizer Approach: Serve the salad in small cocktail glasses or on delicate appetizer spoons for an impressive presentation at dinner parties or brunches, creating a beautiful and sophisticated starter.
• Wine and Dine Pairing: Complement the fresh, bright flavors with a crisp white wine like sauvignon blanc or a light rosé to enhance the overall dining experience.

Keeping Your Salad Crisp in the Fridge

• Fresh Storage Solutions: Keep the salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, maintaining crisp cucumber texture and bright blueberry flavor.
• Smart Prep Strategy: Chop cucumbers and slice mint just before serving to prevent wilting and preserve maximum freshness and crunch.
• Dressing Separation Tip: Store dressing separately from salad ingredients to prevent soggy vegetables, mixing only when ready to enjoy for optimal taste and texture.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare ingredients individually in sealed containers, combining just before serving for a quick, refreshing meal that stays vibrant and delicious.

Cool Cucumber Blueberry Salad

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4.6 from 30 reviews

• Total Time: 10 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

Print Recipe

Description

Mediterranean cucumber blueberry salad offers refreshing summer flavors with crisp textures and zesty dressing. Cool ingredients blend seamlessly, creating a light and elegant dish that delights palates and satisfies nutritional cravings.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cucumbers
• 1 pint (340 g/12 oz) blueberries
• ½ cup (43 g/1.5 oz) sliced almonds
• ¼ cup (8 g/0.3 oz) fresh mint
• 3 tbsps (45 ml/1.5 fl oz) lemon juice
• 2 tbsps (30 ml/1 fl oz) olive oil
• 1 tbsp (21 g/0.7 oz) honey (or maple syrup)
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1/8 tsp pepper

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Instructions

1. Prep Base: Dice cucumbers into uniform cubes and transfer to a large mixing bowl, creating a crisp foundation for the salad.
2. Layer Ingredients: Scatter fresh blueberries and sliced almonds across the cucumber base, introducing vibrant color and textural contrast.
3. Mint Embellishment: Chiffonade mint leaves by stacking, rolling, and slicing into delicate ribbons, then distribute evenly throughout the salad.
4. Dress Creation: Whisk lemon juice, olive oil, honey, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until the mixture transforms into a cohesive, glistening vinaigrette.
5. Final Composition: Gently drizzle the dressing over the salad, folding carefully to ensure each ingredient is luxuriously coated without compromising the ingredients’ structural integrity, then serve chilled or immediately to capture peak freshness and flavor profile.

Notes

• Slice Uniformly: Ensure cucumber pieces are cut to the same size for consistent texture and even dressing absorption.
• Bruise Mint Gently: Tear mint leaves carefully to release essential oils without causing browning or wilting.
• Dress Just Before Serving: Add dressing at the last moment to maintain cucumber crispness and prevent soggy salad.
• Chill for Flavor Boost: Let salad rest in refrigerator for 10-15 minutes to allow ingredients to harmonize and intensify taste profiles.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 60 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 17 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg