Strawberry Cucumber Salad

Make Strawberry Cucumber Salad: a bright, crunchy, and easy-to-assemble salad that dazzles with balsamic glaze.

Ingredients

• 1 1/3 cup sliced strawberries
• 1/4 cup slivered red onion
• 1 1/3 cup diced cucumber (about ½ large)
• 1 tsp chopped fresh mint
• 1 tsp chopped fresh basil
• 1 teaspoon fresh lime juice
• pinch kosher salt
• freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tbsp balsamic glaze
• 2 tbsp sliced almonds (toasted)

Instructions

Step 1: Toss the fruits and vegetables together

Place the sliced strawberries, slivered red onion, and diced cucumber in a large mixing bowl. Add the chopped fresh mint and basil so their oils begin to mingle with the fruit. Season with the fresh lime juice, a pinch of kosher salt and a few turns of freshly ground black pepper; use a light hand so the strawberry juices stay bright and the cucumber remains crisp. Gently fold everything together with a soft spatula until the pieces are evenly coated and you can see little beads of lime clinging to the strawberry flesh and cucumber cubes.

Step 2: Let flavors marry and adjust seasoning

Taste a small spoonful and adjust the salt and pepper if needed, letting the lime lift the sweetness of the berries and the herbs bloom. Keep the mixture loose and airy — you want distinct pieces, not a crushed mash — so mix with short, delicate motions. At this point the salad should look tossed and glossy, the herbs distributed, and the onion softened just enough to mellow but still visible.

Step 3: Drizzle and finish with crunch

Transfer the tossed salad back into the same shallow serving bowl used for mixing. Lightly drizzle the balsamic glaze over the top in thin, glossy ribbons — avoid soaking the fruit; the glaze should sit as shiny accents on the surface. Scatter the toasted slivered almonds evenly so every bite gains a toasted crunch that contrasts the juicy strawberries and crisp cucumber.

Step 4: Final visual check and serve

Give the finished salad a final, gentle toss to let a few ribbons of glaze and a few almond slivers move into pleasing clusters. Ensure a few whole mint leaves remain visible for color and aroma. Serve immediately so textures remain vibrant: glossy strawberries, crunchy almonds, crisp cucumber, translucent onion, and delicate herb flecks.

Notes

• Serve immediately for best texture.
• Keep glaze and almonds separate until serving if storing leftovers.
• Use ripe strawberries for maximum flavor.
• Toast nuts lightly to release aroma but watch closely to avoid burning.