Strawberry Cucumber Salad with Honey Lime Dressing

This Strawberry Cucumber Salad is the ultimate spring and summer refresher. It’s crisp, vibrant, and just the right balance of sweet, salty, and tangy. Fresh strawberries and cool cucumber slices are tossed with creamy feta, crunchy pistachios, and fragrant mint, all drizzled with a zippy honey lime dressing. The result? A refreshing salad that steals the show whether you’re bringing it to a potluck, enjoying it as a side for grilled chicken, or just making a light lunch at home.

I originally whipped this up on a whim when I had a surplus of strawberries from the farmers market and needed something quick but beautiful for a picnic. It was gone in minutes. The honey lime dressing brings everything to life, and the combination of textures is seriously addictive. Plus, it’s just so pretty on the table.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Key Benefits

This salad is:

• Quick & easy – Less than 30 minutes start to finish, including resting time
• No cook – Zero stove time, making it perfect for hot days
• Flexible – Great as a side dish, light lunch, or even a brunch addition
• Entertaining-ready – A beautiful, colorful dish that looks fancy without the fuss

Taste & Texture

The flavor combination is bright and refreshing:

• Sweet and juicy from ripe strawberries
• Crisp and clean from cucumber
• Creamy, salty, and tangy from feta
• Crunchy and nutty from pistachios
• Fresh and aromatic from mint

Everything is tied together with a honey-lime vinaigrette that’s citrusy, lightly sweet, and ultra-refreshing.

Dietary Attributes

• Vegetarian
• Gluten-Free
• Refined Sugar-Free
• Can be made dairy-free by swapping feta for a plant-based cheese

This salad is naturally wholesome and perfect for a variety of dietary preferences.

Ingredients & Substitutions

Ingredient List

Here’s what you’ll need:

• 1 English cucumber
• 1 pound fresh strawberries
• 4 ounces feta cheese (block or crumbled)
• ¼ cup shelled pistachios
• 1 ounce fresh mint leaves

For the Honey Lime Dressing:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon honey
• Juice of 2 limes

Notes on Quality

• English cucumber is the best choice here—it’s crisp, mild, and doesn’t need peeling.
• Fresh strawberries are a must. Look for ripe, sweet berries with a bright red color.
• Feta cheese in block form tends to be creamier and richer than pre-crumbled.
• Pistachios should be roasted for the best flavor. Go unsalted if you want to control the saltiness.
• Fresh mint brings a refreshing note that ties everything together.

Possible Substitutions

• No pistachios? Try chopped almonds, walnuts, or sunflower seeds.
• Vegan? Swap the feta for a dairy-free version or omit entirely.
• No honey? Use agave syrup or maple syrup in the dressing.
• Lime not your thing? Lemon juice works in a pinch.

Step-by-Step Instructions

• Prep the cucumbers:
  Wash and slice the English cucumber into ¼-inch coins. Sprinkle lightly with salt and place in a colander to drain for at least 10 minutes (up to 30). This step helps remove excess moisture and keeps the cucumbers extra crunchy.
• Prep the other ingredients:
  While the cucumbers are resting, wash and slice the strawberries, crumble the feta (if not already crumbled), roughly chop the pistachios, and pull mint leaves from stems.
• Make the dressing:
  In a small bowl or jar, combine olive oil, honey, and lime juice. Blend with a hand blender or shake vigorously in a mason jar until fully emulsified.

• Rinse and dry cucumbers:
  Lightly rinse the salt off the cucumbers, then press them between paper towels or a clean kitchen towel to absorb excess moisture.
• Assemble the salad:
  In a large bowl, combine cucumbers, strawberries, and feta. Pour over the honey lime dressing and toss gently. Refrigerate for 5–10 minutes to let the flavors meld.
• Finish and serve:
  Right before serving, top with crushed pistachios and fresh mint leaves. Give it one more gentle toss and taste to adjust seasoning if needed.

Expert Tips & Tricks

Best Practices

• Salt the cucumbers to draw out water and keep the salad from getting soggy.
• Use a block of feta and crumble it yourself for the best flavor and texture.
• Chill before serving to let the flavors come together—it really makes a difference.

Common Mistakes

• Overmixing the salad can break down the strawberries and make everything mushy.
• Skipping the cucumber salting step can lead to a watery salad.
• Using overripe strawberries can make the salad too soft—look for berries that are just ripe.

Time-Saving Tips

• Use pre-crumbled feta and pre-shelled pistachios to save time.
• Make the dressing in advance and store it in the fridge for up to a week.
• You can prep all components a few hours ahead and assemble right before serving.

Serving Suggestions

Pairings

This salad makes a perfect side for:

• Grilled chicken, shrimp, or salmon
• Light pasta dishes
• Quiche or frittata at brunch

Or enjoy it solo as a light lunch with a slice of crusty bread.

Presentation Ideas

Serve it in a wide shallow bowl so the colors really shine. Top with a few whole mint leaves and extra pistachios for a pretty finish.

Beverage Pairings

• A chilled rosé or Sauvignon Blanc
• Cucumber mint sparkling water
• Limeade or a citrusy iced tea

Storage & Reheating

Leftover Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 day. After that, the strawberries and cucumbers may lose their texture.

Reheating Methods

This is a cold salad and isn’t meant to be reheated. If you want to revive leftovers, try adding a handful of fresh strawberries or mint to freshen it up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Substitutions & Adjustments

Can I use a different fruit?
Yes! Blueberries, raspberries, or even sliced grapes would all work beautifully here.

Can I double the recipe for a party?
Absolutely. It scales up really well—just be sure to salt the cucumbers in batches.

Troubleshooting

My salad is watery—what happened?
You likely skipped salting the cucumbers or didn’t dry them enough. This step is key!

The dressing is too tart. How can I fix it?
Add a bit more honey to balance out the lime.

Variations & Customizations

Dietary Adaptations

• Dairy-free: Use vegan feta or leave it out altogether.
• Nut-free: Omit pistachios or swap for roasted chickpeas for crunch.
• Vegan: Sub honey for maple syrup or agave and use plant-based feta.

Flavor Twists

• Add a pinch of chili flakes for a spicy kick.
• Toss in arugula or spinach for a more substantial salad.
• Try basil instead of mint for a different herbal note.

Seasonal/Holiday Versions

• In fall, swap strawberries for pomegranate seeds and use roasted butternut squash cubes.
• For a festive spring Easter menu, pair with this Beet Garden Salad with Goat Cheese for a colorful salad spread.

Looking for more fresh salad inspiration? You’ll love this Tomato Feta Salad — another bright, beautiful dish that’s packed with Mediterranean flavor.

Conclusion

This Strawberry Cucumber Salad with Honey Lime Dressing is truly one of those recipes that makes you feel like a kitchen rockstar with very little effort. It’s bright, balanced, beautiful, and so easy to throw together. Perfect for everything from lazy lunches to spring picnics to backyard BBQs.

If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear what you think! Leave a comment below, or tag me in your creations on Pinterest here so I can cheer you on. Happy salad-making!

Related Recipes You’ll Love

• Beet Garden Salad with Goat Cheese
• Tomato Feta Salad

Let me know in the comments how you made it your own!

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