Description
Cucumber Caprese Salad is a refreshing twist on a classic Italian favorite, featuring crisp cucumber, juicy cherry tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and vibrant red onion all tossed in a flavorful olive oil and balsamic marinade with dried oregano and basil. This salad is bright, herbaceous, and easy to prepare, perfect for warm-weather picnics or healthy side dishes.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon dried basil
- Pinch salt
- Pinch pepper
- 1 cucumber, peeled, fork-scored, and diced
- 1½ cups cherry tomatoes, cut into quarters
- 8 oz fresh mozzarella
- ½ large red onion, chopped into small pieces
- Fresh basil leaves (optional)
Instructions
- Mix together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, dried oregano, dried basil, salt and pepper in a small bowl.
- Peel cucumber, fork-score the surface, slice thinly, then dice into small pieces.
- Quarter the cherry tomatoes and add to the bowl with cucumbers.
- Dice red onion and add to vegetables.
- Cut mozzarella into bite-sized pieces and add to bowl.
- Pour marinade over ingredients and mix well.
- Allow salad to sit for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
For substitutions, use mini mozzarella balls or feta for fresh mozzarella, or swap in white wine vinegar for balsamic. Add avocado or kalamata olives for extra flavor. Prepare up to 1 day ahead—store in an airtight container; add fresh basil just before serving to prevent wilting. If the salad becomes watery, gently drain excess liquid. To avoid sogginess, keep cucumbers and tomatoes as dry as possible before mixing.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Italian