Easy Cucumber Caprese Salad
This Easy Cucumber Caprese Salad is a refreshing, simple, and flavorful summer side dish made with cucumbers, tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil, tossed in a tangy balsamic glaze.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 English cucumbers or Persian cucumbers
- 1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes
- 8 ounces fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini) or diced mozzarella
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves
- 1/4 cup balsamic glaze
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Wash the cucumbers and tomatoes thoroughly. Slice the cucumbers into thin rounds and halve the cherry tomatoes.
- Drain the mozzarella balls and pat them dry with a paper towel. If using a large mozzarella ball, dice it into bite-sized pieces.
- Gently tear fresh basil leaves into smaller pieces to release their aroma without bruising them.
- If making balsamic glaze from scratch, reduce 1/2 cup of balsamic vinegar over low heat until thickened (about 5-7 minutes). Add 1 tablespoon of honey for sweetness, stir, and let cool.
- In a large salad bowl, layer the cucumber slices, halved tomatoes, mozzarella balls, and basil leaves.
- Drizzle olive oil and balsamic glaze over the salad. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.
- Use tongs to gently mix everything, ensuring the glaze coats the ingredients evenly.
- Serve immediately or chill for 10-15 minutes to let the flavors meld together.
Notes
For extra refreshment, refrigerate the salad for 15 minutes before serving. If making ahead, store the dressing separately to keep the salad crisp.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of the recipe
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 5
- Sodium: 150
- Fat: 10
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Carbohydrates: 8
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 7
Keywords: Caprese salad, cucumber salad, summer side dish, balsamic glaze, fresh mozzarella, easy salad recipe