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Cucumber Caprese Salad with tomatoes and mozzarella on a wooden serving board

Cucumber Caprese Salad

A refreshing and easy salad featuring crisp cucumbers, sweet cherry tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and a light balsamic dressing, perfect for a summer meal.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: Italian, Mediterranean
Calories: 150
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Essentials
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil Use good, cold-pressed extra-virgin for best flavor.
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar Balances the oil with sweetness and tang.
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano Adds a warm, herb-y lift.
  • 1 tablespoon dried basil Brings classic Caprese flavor.
  • 1 dash salt Kosher or sea salt, to taste.
  • 1 dash black pepper Freshly ground, to your preference.
  • 1 large cucumber Peeled and sliced thinly; skin lightly scraped with a fork.
  • 1.5 cups cherry tomatoes Washed and quartered.
  • 8 oz fresh mozzarella Sliced into bite-sized pieces or use pearl mozzarella.
  • 0.5 large red onion Thinly sliced and diced; optional.
Optional Add-ons
  • to taste fresh basil leaves Chiffonade for a brighter note.
  • to taste fresh lemon juice Adds brightness.
  • to taste flaky sea salt For garnish before serving.
  • to taste toasted pine nuts For added texture.
  • a few olives Chopped for savory depth.
  • a drizzle honey To mellow the balsamic if tomatoes are tart.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Gather all ingredients: cucumber, tomatoes, mozzarella, onion, and dressing bowl.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Set aside to let flavors mingle.
  3. Peel the cucumber and scrape the skin with a fork, then slice thin and dice into pieces.
  4. Add quartered cherry tomatoes to the cucumber in a mixing bowl.
  5. Optional: Thinly slice and dice red onion. If preferred, rinse under cold water to soften the bite and add to the bowl.
  6. Add mozzarella pieces to the vegetable mixture.
  7. Pour dressing over the salad and gently toss to combine.
  8. Allow salad to sit for about 10 minutes for flavors to meld before serving.
  9. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary, adding fresh basil or flaky salt just before serving.

Notes

If salad sits longer than 10 minutes, it deepens in flavor; can be chilled beforehand but avoid adding herbs until right before serving.