Cucumber Strawberry Salad with Arugula

Name: Cucumber Strawberry Salad with Arugula
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil; 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar; 1 teaspoon honey; 1 clove garlic, minced; salt and pepper, to taste; 1 1/2 cups baby arugula; 1 cup strawberries, sliced; 1 cup cucumber, chopped; 2 tablespoons crumbled goat cheese

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Cucumber Strawberry Salad with Arugula in a bowl.

You are going to want this Cucumber Strawberry Salad with Arugula all spring and summer long! It's super fresh, sweet, peppery, and tangy.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

What better way to celebrate the start of warm weather than with fresh strawberries! This Cucumber Strawberry Salad is simple, vibrant and super versatile. It comes together in less than 10 minutes and is light and refreshing.

If you're looking for more spring and summer salads, we've got plenty!

Ingredients

Arugula: Baby arugula is the base for this simple salad. It gives it a nice peppery flavor. You could use baby spinach or a spring lettuce blend if you prefer.
Strawberries: Fresh strawberries, sliced.
Cucumber: Chopped, fresh cucumber.
Goat Cheese: Crumbled goat cheese for some added creaminess. You can substitute for feta or shaved parmesan. I love this Vermont Creamery Crumbled Goat Cheese.
Balsamic Vinaigrette: Homemade (extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, garlic, salt and pepper) or store-bought.

Step-By-Step Instructions

Make the Balsamic Vinaigrette. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, honey, and minced garlic. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Set aside.
In a large bowl, toss the arugula, strawberry slices, and cucumber. Top with crumbled goat cheese and drizzle the vinaigrette over the top. Gently toss one more time.
Serve immediately and enjoy!

Variations

I love to keep this salad simple, but there are so many things you could do with it if you'd like to make any changes.

Add nuts. Walnuts, pecans and sliced almonds would all be great additions.
Toss in some chopped avocado for an added creamy texture.
Make it into a meal by adding a protein. Add grilled chicken, steak, baked tofu, or chickpeas.
Swap out the goat cheese for feta or shaved parmesan.
Add more fruit. Diced mango or fresh blueberries would both be delicious in this salad.
Use a different dressing. A champagne vinaigrette, honey lemon vinaigrette, or strawberry vinaigrette would all compliment this salad nicely.

Serving Suggestions

This Cucumber Strawberry Salad with Arugula is the perfect light lunch! You could also add a protein to make it into a dinner. Other favorite ways to serve this salad are as a summer side dish, bbq or cookout side salad, or even for a weekend brunch.

Expert Tip: If preparing ahead of time to bring to a bbq, bring the dressing in a mason jar to add just before serving. This will prevent the arugula from wilting.

Cucumber Strawberry Salad with Arugula on a salad plate with a fork.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

When are strawberries in season?

Though strawberries can typically be found all year round, they are considered in season from May through July. This is when they are naturally ripe and will be the sweetest and most flavorful.

How can you tell if strawberries are fresh?

Fresh strawberries will be vibrant in color with a fresh green stem/leaves. Select strawberries that are not dried out or shriveled, and look nice and plump.

More Summer Salad Recipes

If you like this salad recipe, then you'll love these other simple salads!