Description
A fresh, crisp, and easy cucumber mozzarella salad ready in 15 minutes, perfect for a light snack or side dish.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 large English cucumber or 2 Persian cucumbers (about 12 oz / 340g)
- 8 oz (225g) fresh mozzarella
- 2 tablespoons (30ml) extra virgin olive oil
- A handful of fresh basil leaves (about 10 leaves)
- Salt to taste
- Freshly cracked black pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon (15ml) red wine vinegar or lemon juice (optional)
- 1 cup (150g) cherry tomatoes, halved (optional)
Instructions
- Wash cucumber and basil leaves. Slice cucumber into thin rounds about 1/4-inch thick. Halve cherry tomatoes if using. Tear or slice mozzarella into bite-sized pieces.
- In a mixing bowl, combine cucumber slices, mozzarella pieces, basil leaves, and cherry tomatoes if using.
- Drizzle olive oil evenly over the salad and add vinegar or lemon juice if using.
- Season with flaky salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste.
- Gently toss everything together using salad tongs or two forks, being careful not to smash the mozzarella.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate for 10-15 minutes to let flavors meld, but consume within an hour to avoid sogginess.
Notes
Use English cucumbers for less watery salad. Tear mozzarella by hand for better texture. Add vinegar or lemon juice sparingly to avoid overpowering the cheese. Season after tossing to prevent cucumber from releasing too much water. Serve fresh or chilled briefly. Store leftovers in airtight container and drain excess liquid before serving again.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Snack, Side Dish, Salad
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1 cup per serv
- Calories: 180
- Sodium: 250
- Fat: 14
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 5
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 10
Keywords: cucumber salad, mozzarella salad, quick salad, fresh snack, easy side dish, basil salad, healthy snack