Easy Cucumber Mozzarella Salad Recipe
A fresh and vibrant cucumber mozzarella salad featuring cherry tomatoes, ripe avocado, and fresh basil, tossed in a simple homemade balsamic dressing. Perfect as a light lunch or a side dish to complement any meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 1/3 cup chopped fresh basil
- 3 cups halved cherry tomatoes
- 1/2 English cucumber, peeled and diced
- 1 large avocado, diced (ripe but firm)
- 8 oz fresh mozzarella pearls or small balls, drained
Dressing Ingredients
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 garlic clove, minced very fine
- 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper, freshly ground
Instructions
- Assemble the Salad Ingredients: Begin by placing all the fresh salad ingredients into a serving bowl. Add the peeled and diced cucumber, halved cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, diced avocado, and chopped fresh basil. Arrange them nicely in the bowl to create an attractive presentation.
- Prepare the Dressing: In a small separate bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients. Combine the extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, minced garlic, fine sea salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Whisk continuously until the dressing is emulsified and all the flavors are well combined.
- Dress and Serve the Salad: Just before serving, drizzle the prepared dressing evenly over the salad. Gently toss all the ingredients together to ensure every component is coated with the flavorful dressing. Serve immediately to enjoy the fresh and vibrant flavors at their best.
Notes
- For best texture, choose an avocado that is ripe yet firm to avoid mushiness in the salad.
- Use fresh mozzarella pearls for even distribution of cheese throughout the salad.
- Prepare the dressing just before serving to maintain brightness and prevent the salad from wilting.
- If you prefer, substitute balsamic vinegar with red wine vinegar for a different tangy note.
- This salad is best enjoyed fresh and does not store well due to the avocado.
Keywords: cucumber salad, mozzarella salad, avocado salad, cherry tomato salad, fresh basil, balsamic dressing, easy salad recipe, vegetarian salad
