Crisp Cucumber Salad with Blueberries Recipe: Summer’s Joy Bowl

A refreshing cucumber salad with blueberries brings unexpected magic to your summer table.

Sweet and tangy flavors dance across crisp vegetable slices.

Juicy berries peek out between cucumber ribbons, creating visual intrigue.

Mediterranean influences inspire this light and zesty combination.

Each bite promises cool refreshment with surprising depth of flavor.

Bold colors and contrasting textures make this dish stand out from typical side offerings.

You’ll want to savor every forkful of this vibrant, health-packed creation.

Why Cucumber and Blueberries Make a Great Pair

• Include fresh ingredients like cucumber, blueberries, and herbs, delivering a nutritious and light meal option.
• Perfect as a side dish for barbecues, picnics, or a light lunch, easily adaptable to different dining occasions.
• Enjoy the unexpected sweet and tangy mix of blueberries, lime, and feta that elevates a simple cucumber salad into a gourmet experience.

What to Mix for This Unexpected Salad Hit

• Honey: Natural sweetener that balances the tangy lime and adds smooth texture.
• Lime Juice: Bright citrus element that brings freshness and acidity to the dressing.
• Olive Oil: Smooth base that helps blend flavors and creates silky dressing consistency.
• Salt: Essential seasoning that enhances overall flavor profile.
• Black Pepper: Adds subtle warmth and spice to complement other ingredients.

• Cucumber: Crisp, cool vegetable that provides refreshing base for the salad.
• Blueberries: Sweet and juicy fruit that adds unexpected burst of flavor and color.
• Red Onion: Sharp, pungent ingredient that provides extra zesty crunch (optional).

• Fresh Herbs: Adds aromatic freshness and green color to the salad.
• Feta Cheese: Creamy, salty cheese that provides rich, tangy complement to sweet blueberries (optional).

How to Balance Sweet, Crisp, and Tangy

Step 1: Whip Up the Zesty Dressing

• Honey
• Freshly squeezed lime juice
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Salt
• Cracked black pepper

Blend until the ingredients create a smooth, well-combined dressing.

Step 2: Prepare the Crisp Vegetable and Fruit Mix

• Thinly sliced cucumber
• Plump blueberries
• Finely chopped red onion (optional)
• Freshly chopped herbs (such as mint, basil, or parsley)

Gently mix the ingredients to distribute them evenly.

Step 3: Dress and Toss the Salad

Pour the vibrant dressing over the cucumber and blueberry mixture. Use a light touch to toss and coat all ingredients, ensuring each piece gets a flavor boost.

Step 4: Add a Creamy Finishing Touch

Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese on top for an extra layer of tangy goodness. The cheese adds a creamy contrast to the crisp vegetables and sweet berries.

Step 5: Chill and Enhance Flavors

Let the salad rest in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes. This short chilling time allows the flavors to mingle and intensify, creating a more complex and delightful taste experience.

Tips to Keep Cucumbers Crunchy

• Swap Sweeteners: Replace honey with agave nectar or maple syrup for a vegan-friendly alternative.
• Reduce Onion Bite: Soak sliced red onion in cold water for 5 minutes to mellow its sharp flavor and make it more palatable.
• Boost Herb Freshness: Use a mix of fresh herbs like mint, basil, or dill to add complexity and brightness to the salad.
• Customize Texture: Dice cucumber instead of slicing for a different mouthfeel, or add toasted nuts for extra crunch.
• Make Ahead Tip: Prepare dressing separately and add to salad just before serving to keep vegetables crisp and prevent wilting.

Storage Tips for This Light Summer Dish

• Store leftover cucumber salad in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Keeps best when chilled and covered tightly.
• Before storing, use a slotted spoon to transfer salad, leaving behind accumulated juices to prevent soggy texture.
• Do not freeze this salad, as cucumber and blueberries will lose their crisp texture and become mushy when thawed.
• When ready to serve again, give the salad a gentle stir and add a sprinkle of fresh herbs to revive its vibrant flavors.

Pairings for Your Cucumber and Blueberry Combo

• Crisp Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio perfectly complement the salad's light, refreshing flavors, cutting through the honey's sweetness and enhancing the cucumber's cool crunch.
• Accompany the salad with lemon-herb grilled chicken or delicate white fish like tilapia, creating a balanced meal where the salad's brightness lifts the protein's richness.
• Serve alongside crusty sourdough or rustic ciabatta to soak up the zesty dressing, adding texture and providing a hearty counterpoint to the salad's delicate ingredients.
• A dry, light rosé wine echoes the salad's summery vibe, its subtle fruit notes harmonizing with the blueberries while its crisp acidity matches the lime dressing.

Fun Salad Twists That Surprise

• Vegan Berry Cucumber Salad: Replace feta with vegan cheese or nutritional yeast for a plant-based version.
• Low-Carb Citrus Cucumber Mix: Swap honey with stevia or monk fruit sweetener to reduce sugar content and add orange segments for extra zest.
• Mediterranean Herb Salad: Incorporate fresh mint, dill, and parsley instead of mixed herbs, and use Greek yogurt-based dressing for a tangy profile.
• Protein-Packed Cucumber Blend: Add grilled chicken chunks or quinoa to transform the salad into a complete meal with increased protein content.

FAQs on Fruit-and-Veg Salads

• Can I use different types of cucumbers for this salad?

Yes, you can use English cucumbers, Persian cucumbers, or regular garden cucumbers. Each variety will work well, but English or Persian cucumbers are often preferred because they have fewer seeds and a more delicate texture.

• How can I make this salad more protein-rich?

Add some grilled chicken, shredded rotisserie chicken, or crumbled goat cheese to increase the protein content. Alternatively, you can sprinkle some toasted nuts like almonds or pumpkin seeds for extra protein and crunch.

• Is this salad suitable for a summer picnic or potluck?

Absolutely! This cucumber and blueberry salad is perfect for outdoor gatherings. It’s refreshing, light, and can be prepared in advance. Just keep it chilled and dress it just before serving to maintain the crisp texture of the cucumbers.

• Can I replace honey with another sweetener?

Yes, you can substitute honey with maple syrup, agave nectar, or even a small amount of stevia. Each alternative will slightly change the flavor profile, so choose based on your preference and dietary needs.

Cucumber Salad with Blueberries Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Mediterranean-inspired cucumber salad with blueberries offers a refreshing symphony of crisp textures and tangy flavors. Cool ingredients dance together, creating a delightful summer dish that will surprise and delight you with its unexpected combination.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Produce:

• 2 cups (480 milliliters) thinly sliced English cucumber
• 1 cup (150 grams) fresh blueberries
• ¼ cup (40 grams) thinly sliced red onion

Herbs and Cheese:

• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint or basil
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
• 2 tablespoons crumbled feta cheese

Dressing:

• 1 ½ tablespoons honey
• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 pinch black pepper

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Craft a zesty vinaigrette by thoroughly whisking honey, lime juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper in a compact mixing vessel until ingredients emulsify smoothly.
2. Slice cucumbers into delicate, translucent rounds, ensuring uniform thickness for aesthetic presentation.
3. Prepare the salad base by layering cucumber slices with vibrant blueberries, creating a colorful geometric pattern.
4. Incorporate thinly shredded red onion for an aromatic punch, distributing pieces evenly throughout the mixture.
5. Sprinkle freshly chopped herbs across the surface, allowing their verdant essence to perfume the entire composition.
6. Gently cascade the prepared dressing over the salad, using a light folding technique to ensure each ingredient receives a delicate coating without bruising.
7. Optional: Crumble tangy feta cheese atop the salad, providing a creamy contrast to the crisp vegetables and juicy berries.
8. Refrigerate the salad for approximately 10 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and intensify while chilling the dish to optimal serving temperature.
9. Just before presenting, perform a final gentle toss to redistribute the dressing and reinvigorate the salad’s visual appeal.

Notes

• Substitute honey with agave nectar or maple syrup for a vegan-friendly version of the dressing.
• Use rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar instead of lime juice if you prefer a different tangy profile.
• Quickly salt cucumber slices and let sit for 10 minutes to remove excess water, ensuring a crisp and not watery salad texture.
• For added protein and crunch, sprinkle toasted sunflower seeds or sliced almonds on top before serving.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 120
• Sugar: 12 g
• Sodium: 80 mg
• Fat: 4 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 1 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 10 mg