Juicy Cucumber Caprese Salad (Printer-friendly)

Crisp cucumbers meet ripe tomatoes and creamy mozzarella in a tangy balsamic dressing for a fresh Italian-inspired dish.

# What You Need:

→ Vegetables & Herbs

01 - 2 large cucumbers, sliced into half-moons
02 - 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
03 - 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, torn

→ Cheese

04 - 8 oz fresh mozzarella balls (ciliegine), halved

→ Dressing

05 - 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
06 - 2 tbsp balsamic glaze or balsamic reduction
07 - 1/2 tsp sea salt
08 - 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

# How to Make It:

01 - In a large salad bowl, combine the sliced cucumbers, halved cherry tomatoes, and halved mozzarella balls.
02 - Add the torn basil leaves and gently toss to distribute evenly throughout the salad.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic glaze, salt, and black pepper until well combined and emulsified.
04 - Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly without damaging the delicate components.
05 - Serve immediately, garnished with extra basil leaves if desired. For optimal freshness, serve chilled.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The cucumbers add a satisfying crunch that perfectly balances the creamy mozzarella
  • You can throw it together in under 15 minutes with minimal prep work
  • It travels beautifully to potlucks and actually tastes better after sitting for a bit
02 -
  • The salad releases water as it sits, so dress it right before serving to keep everything crisp
  • Room temperature ingredients absorb the dressing better than cold ones from the fridge
  • Balsamic glaze is thicker and sweeter than regular vinegar, making it worth the special trip to the store
03 -
  • If using regular balsamic vinegar instead of glaze, add a teaspoon of honey to balance the acidity
  • Mix in a handful of arugula for a peppery bite that cuts through the creamy mozzarella

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