Fresh and Simple Cucumber Caprese Salad: A Refreshing Twist

Are you searching for a delightful way to refresh your summer dining? Perhaps something that’s effortless to prepare, bursting with fresh taste, and looks absolutely radiant on the table? We all cherish the classic Caprese salad, renowned for its flawless combination of sun-ripened tomatoes, soft mozzarella, and aromatic basil. But what if we suggested a simple enhancement to introduce an extra dimension of cool, crisp texture? That is precisely what we have achieved with our Fresh and Simple Cucumber Caprese Salad. It’s the familiar favourite you hold dear, updated with a crunchy, delightful twist that makes it the quintessential meal for a warm, sunny day.

This recipe honours everything wonderful about the original while incorporating the cool, hydrating snap of fresh cucumber. This simple addition elevates the dish from a humble starter to a more texturally interesting and substantial salad, perfect on its own or as a companion to your favourite grilled dishes. We consider it a modern interpretation that respects the classic while making it even more suitable for a light lunch, a garden gathering, or a straightforward weeknight supper when you’d rather not use the hob. Let’s get started and prepare this beautiful dish together.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Wonderfully Cool and Crisp: The addition of cucumber provides a fantastic, hydrating crunch that makes this salad incredibly cooling and ideal for hot weather.
• Effortlessly Quick to Prepare: As no cooking is involved, this gorgeous salad can be assembled in less than 15 minutes, perfect for impromptu meals or swift lunches.
• A Beautifully Colourful Dish: The vivid hues of red tomatoes, green cucumber and basil, and creamy white mozzarella create a stunning plate that is as much a feast for the eyes as it is for the taste buds.
• A Guilt-Free, Light Meal: Brimming with fresh vegetables and protein from the cheese, this is a light Italian salad that leaves you feeling pleasantly full and energised.
• Easily Customisable to Your Taste: Feel free to make this salad your own by adding other ingredients like sliced red onion, creamy avocado, or salty olives.

Ingredients

• 400g cherry or baby plum tomatoes, halved
• 1 large English cucumber, partially peeled and sliced into rounds
• 250g fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini), drained and halved
• 1 small red onion, very thinly sliced (optional)
• A large handful of fresh basil leaves, roughly torn or chopped
• 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
• 1.5 tablespoons of balsamic glaze, plus extra for drizzling
• 1 tablespoon of red wine vinegar
• 1 clove of garlic, minced (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon of sea salt, or to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper, or to taste

Crafting Your Perfect Cucumber Caprese Salad: Step-by-Step

Assembling this delightful salad is beautifully simple. The real secret lies in using the freshest ingredients available, allowing their vibrant, natural flavours to take centre stage. We have outlined the entire process in clear, manageable steps.

Step 1: Prepare the Vegetables and Cheese

First and foremost, let’s get our core ingredients prepped and ready. The appeal of this tomato mozzarella cucumber salad is its simplicity, which makes mindful preparation essential.

1. Tomatoes: Gently wash your cherry or plum tomatoes and pat them dry. Slice them in half before placing them into a large salad bowl. Using these smaller, sweeter varieties will yield the best flavour.
2. Cucumber: Give the cucumber a good wash. For visual appeal and a little extra texture, we like to partially peel it in alternating strips. Slice it into bite-sized rounds, roughly 1/4-inch thick, and add them to the bowl.
3. Mozzarella: Drain the bocconcini from their liquid. While they can be left whole, we find that halving them helps them absorb the dressing more effectively. Add the cheese to the bowl.
4. Basil and Onion: Roughly tear the fresh basil leaves and add them to the mix. If you are including red onion for a touch of sharpness, ensure it is sliced as thinly as you can before adding it in.

Step 2: Whisk Together the Simple Vinaigrette

A true Caprese salad sings with the flavours of good olive oil and balsamic, and our version is no exception. This simple vinaigrette harmonises all the fresh components without overshadowing them.

1. In a small jar or bowl, combine the extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, and the finely minced garlic (if you’ve chosen to include it).
2. Season with the sea salt and a few grinds of black pepper.
3. Whisk everything together with gusto until the dressing is well combined and emulsified. Alternatively, a mess-free method we love is to place all the ingredients in a jar with a secure lid and shake it vigorously.

Step 3: Combine and Serve

Now for the most satisfying part: bringing all the elements together. The timing is key here; we suggest dressing the salad right before serving to ensure the cucumber stays crisp and the basil remains bright and fresh.

1. Pour approximately three-quarters of your prepared vinaigrette over the ingredients in the large bowl.
2. Gently toss everything to combine, ensuring the tomatoes, cucumber, and mozzarella are lightly coated. Be careful not to bruise the delicate basil or break up the cheese.
3. Arrange the salad on a large, shallow serving dish or platter. This style of presentation truly showcases the salad’s vibrant colours.
4. Drizzle the rich, syrupy balsamic glaze over the top in an artistic pattern. This adds a lovely visual touch and a concentrated burst of sweet flavour.
5. Serve immediately and savour the wonderfully fresh and bright tastes of summer!

The Perfect Twist on a Classic Caprese

What truly elevates this salad is the thoughtful addition of cucumber. A traditional Caprese offers a symphony of soft, juicy, and creamy textures. By introducing cucumber, we add a wonderful textural counterpoint. Its crisp, aqueous crunch cuts beautifully through the richness of the mozzarella and the tender flesh of the tomatoes, leading to a more dynamic and refreshing experience with every bite. It is a genuine twist on classic caprese that feels both imaginative and perfectly logical.

This enhancement also boosts the salad’s hydrating properties, making it the ultimate summer cucumber salad recipe. On a hot day, there’s nothing more satisfying than a cool, crisp dish, and this salad delivers precisely that. If you’re looking for more inspiration for vibrant salads, you may also like to discover other Nutrient Packed Salad Bowl Recipes that champion fresh, wholesome ingredients.

Tips for Ingredient Perfection

A straightforward recipe such as this relies almost entirely on the quality of its components. Below are our key tips for choosing the very best ingredients for your salad:

• Tomatoes: Select tomatoes that are perfectly ripe, firm to the touch, and smell sweet. Vine-ripened cherry or baby plum tomatoes typically offer the best balance of sweetness and texture.
• Cucumber: English or Persian cucumbers are ideal for this recipe. They have thin skins and minimal seeds, which results in a less watery and sweeter flavour.

– Mozzarella: Always choose fresh mozzarella that is packed in water or brine, avoiding the low-moisture blocks used for pizza. Bocconcini are wonderfully convenient, but for a touch of luxury, a large ball of buffalo mozzarella torn into chunks is sublime. For more detail, BBC Good Food has a great guide to the various types of mozzarella.

• Basil: Fresh basil is an absolute must! Look for vibrant green leaves that are free from any dark spots. This is an easy caprese with basil, and the herb’s fragrant perfume is integral to the final dish.

Should you be seeking another simple yet elegant side dish, a Classic House Salad with Red Wine Vinaigrette always makes a superb accompaniment to any Italian-themed meal.

FAQ

Conclusion: Your New Go-To Summer Salad

We are confident that as soon as you try this Fresh and Simple Cucumber Caprese Salad, it will secure a permanent spot in your culinary repertoire. It achieves a wonderful harmony between classic comfort and modern innovation, resulting in a dish that is both reassuringly familiar and delightfully new. It is quick, wholesome, beautiful, and truly encapsulates the essence of summer in a single bowl.

So, the next time you are organising a barbecue, packing a picnic, or simply in need of a quick and satisfying meal, we hope you’ll give this recipe a try. It’s a fantastic way to celebrate the season’s fresh produce. We would be delighted to hear how you get on! Please leave a comment below to share your thoughts or any creative twists you might have added. Happy cooking!

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Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 400g cherry or baby plum tomatoes, halved
• 1 large English cucumber, partially peeled and sliced into rounds
• 250g fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini), drained and halved
• 1 small red onion, very thinly sliced (optional)
• A large handful of fresh basil leaves, roughly torn or chopped
• 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
• 1.5 tablespoons of balsamic glaze
• 1 tablespoon of red wine vinegar
• 1 clove of garlic, minced (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon of sea salt, or to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper, or to taste

Instructions

1. In a large salad bowl, combine the halved tomatoes, sliced cucumber, halved mozzarella, torn basil, and thinly sliced red onion (if using).
2. In a small jar or bowl, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, minced garlic (if using), sea salt, and black pepper until well emulsified.
3. Pour the vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently to coat all ingredients. Arrange on a serving platter, drizzle with balsamic glaze, and serve immediately for the best texture and flavor.

Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 299 kcal, Carbs: 13 g, Protein: 14 g, Fat: 22 g