Description
A refreshing Fresh Cucumber Caprese Salad featuring diced cucumber, cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and red onion, tossed in a flavorful olive oil and balsamic vinegar marinade with herbs. Perfect for a light and vibrant appetizer or side dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Marinade
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon dried basil
- Pinch salt
- Pinch pepper
Salad
- 1 cucumber, peeled, fork-scored, thinly sliced, and diced
- 1½ cups cherry tomatoes, quartered
- 8 oz fresh mozzarella, sliced into bite-sized pieces or pearl-sized balls
- ½ large red onion, chopped into small pieces
- Optional: fresh basil leaves
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a small bowl, combine olive oil, balsamic vinegar, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and pepper. Stir well to blend the flavors. Set aside to let the marinade infuse while you prepare the salad ingredients.
- Prepare the Cucumber: Peel the cucumber, then use a fork to scrape the skin up and down to create texture. Thinly slice and then dice the cucumber into small pieces. Transfer to a medium bowl.
- Add Tomatoes and Onion: Quarter the cherry tomatoes and add them to the cucumber bowl. Thinly slice and dice the red onion, then add it to the bowl as well. If desired, omit the onion.
- Add Mozzarella: Slice the mozzarella into bite-sized pieces or use pearl mozzarella balls and add them to the bowl with the vegetables, ensuring even distribution.
- Toss Salad and Marinate: Pour the prepared marinade over the salad ingredients. Mix gently but thoroughly to coat everything evenly. Let the salad sit for 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld before serving.
Notes
- Use pearl mozzarella for quicker preparation and better bite-sized pieces.
- If you prefer less pungent flavor, soak the chopped red onion in cold water for 5 minutes before adding.
- Fresh basil leaves can be added for additional aroma and flavor.
- Allowing the salad to marinate improves the taste but avoid marinating more than 30 minutes to keep cucumber crisp.
- This salad is best served chilled or at room temperature.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
