This Tomato Cucumber Mozzarella Salad is the true taste of summer in every bite—vibrant, fresh, and bursting with juicy flavor! It’s a beautiful medley of crisp cucumbers, sweet tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and buttery avocado, all brought together with aromatic basil and a zesty balsamic vinaigrette.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Peak Freshness: Every bite celebrates simple, garden-fresh ingredients that shine all on their own.
- Quick & Easy: Made in just 15 minutes, this salad is perfect when you need a flavorful dish without the fuss.
- Crowd-Pleaser: From family dinners to summer parties, Tomato Cucumber Mozzarella Salad always disappears first!
- Beautiful and Versatile: Its colorful presentation elevates any table, and it pairs deliciously with countless mains.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Tomato Cucumber Mozzarella Salad is in its simplicity. Each ingredient brings its own unique flavor, texture, and pop of color, so choosing the freshest produce and best-quality cheese is key to letting their natural taste sing.
- English cucumber: Seedless and tender, English cucumbers provide refreshing crunch without excess water, perfect for salads.
- Cherry tomatoes: Sweet and juicy, halved cherry tomatoes add bursts of vibrant flavor and gorgeous color.
- Fresh mozzarella pearls or diced mozzarella: Creamy and mild, mozzarella gives the salad its irresistible richness—pearls are pretty, but diced works just as well.
- Avocado: Diced avocado adds a buttery softness that contrasts beautifully with the other crisp vegetables.
- Fresh basil leaves: Chopped basil perfumes the salad with that unmistakable summer aroma—don’t skip it!
- Extra virgin olive oil: High-quality olive oil is essential for the most fragrant, silky dressing.
- Balsamic vinegar: Just a splash lifts the flavors and brings a gentle tang that brightens the dish.
- Garlic: Freshly pressed or grated, garlic infuses the dressing with a warm, savory kick.
- Fine sea salt & freshly cracked black pepper: Essential for seasoning, bringing all the flavors into perfect balance.
Variations
One of the things I love most about Tomato Cucumber Mozzarella Salad is how effortlessly it adapts to what you have on hand, your dietary needs, or your mood. Don’t be shy—experiment and make it your own!
- Make it Greek: Swap out the mozzarella for crumbled feta, add kalamata olives, and sprinkle in some oregano for a Mediterranean twist.
- Go vegan: Use a plant-based mozzarella or sprinkle in cubes of marinated tofu for that creamy bite, and omit the cheese if you wish.
- Add grains: Toss in some cooked quinoa, farro, or orzo to transform this salad into a satisfying, wholesome meal.
- Extra herbs: Mix fresh mint or chives in with the basil to create new layers of flavor and fragrance.
How to Make Tomato Cucumber Mozzarella Salad
Step 1: Chop and Prep Your Ingredients
Begin by quartering and slicing your English cucumber, halving the cherry tomatoes, and dicing the avocado. If you’re using a ball of mozzarella, cut it into bite-sized cubes, or simply use mozzarella pearls. Chop the basil leaves just before assembling to keep them bright and fragrant. Prepping everything in advance makes assembling this salad a breeze.
Step 2: Make the Vibrant Balsamic Dressing
In a small bowl, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, freshly pressed or grated garlic, a generous pinch of sea salt, and plenty of cracked black pepper. You want a smooth, emulsified dressing that clings beautifully to every bite. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed—the dressing should taste lively and balanced.
Step 3: Combine and Toss
Add the cucumber, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, avocado, and chopped basil to a large serving bowl. Just before serving, drizzle the balsamic dressing over everything. Gently toss to coat the salad evenly—be careful not to mash the avocado or rip the mozzarella. The goal is a rainbow of perfectly dressed, plump vegetables and cheese.
Step 4: Serve and Savor
Serve your Tomato Cucumber Mozzarella Salad fresh, while the flavors are bright and the veggies still have their crunch. This salad is meant to be enjoyed immediately for that just-prepped, sun-kissed taste!
Pro Tips for Making Tomato Cucumber Mozzarella Salad
- Avocado at Its Best: Dice the avocado just before tossing to keep it perfectly green and creamy—leave the pit in any leftovers to help prevent browning.
- Basil Brightness: Tear basil leaves by hand instead of chopping for a rustic look and maximum fragrance (chopping can bruise the leaves).
- Dress at the Last Minute: Wait to add the balsamic vinaigrette until just before serving to keep the cucumber and tomatoes extra crisp.
- Cheese Matters: Opt for the freshest mozzarella you can find—look for smooth, creamy pearls or high-quality hand-pulled balls for the dreamiest texture.
How to Serve Tomato Cucumber Mozzarella Salad
Garnishes
Give your salad a flourish of freshly cracked black pepper, a scatter of extra chopped basil, or a few whole basil leaves for a pop of green. A light sprinkle of flaky sea salt right before serving really makes the fresh flavors shine.
Side Dishes
This sun-kissed salad is dreamy with grilled chicken, fish, or shrimp, and pairs wonderfully with crusty sourdough or toasted baguette. It’s also an ideal addition to potlucks, picnics, or as a fresh contrast to richer pasta dishes.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve this Tomato Cucumber Mozzarella Salad in a large, shallow platter for a festive centerpiece, or portion it into individual jars for adorable, grab-and-go servings at a picnic. For an elevated starter, try layering it in parfait glasses with extra basil or swirling a drizzle of balsamic reduction over the top.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers, transfer your Tomato Cucumber Mozzarella Salad to an airtight container and refrigerate. The flavors meld together, but keep in mind that avocado can brown over time. It’s best enjoyed within one day for maximum freshness.
Freezing
This salad isn’t suitable for freezing, as the fresh vegetables and cheese lose their appealing texture after thawing. For best results, always prepare and enjoy Tomato Cucumber Mozzarella Salad fresh.
Reheating
This dish is meant to be served chilled or at room temperature. There’s no need to reheat—it’s at its best cool and crisp, straight from the fridge or just after assembling.
FAQs
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Can I prepare Tomato Cucumber Mozzarella Salad ahead of time?
Yes, you can prep all the vegetables and cheese up to a few hours ahead, but wait to add the avocado and dressing until just before serving to keep everything tasting its freshest and brightest.
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What type of mozzarella is best for this salad?
Fresh mozzarella pearls are lovely for individual bites, but you can just as easily use a ball or log of mozzarella, torn or diced into bite-sized pieces. Always choose the highest quality for milky, creamy texture!
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Can I use different types of tomatoes?
Absolutely! While cherry tomatoes are particularly sweet and pretty, Roma or heirloom tomatoes (diced small) also work wonderfully in Tomato Cucumber Mozzarella Salad.
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Is there a way to keep avocado from browning in the salad?
Add the avocado just before serving, and sprinkle a little extra lemon juice or keep the pit in with any leftovers to help slow browning. Still, for the prettiest results, enjoy the salad soon after making!
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving something light, refreshing, and full of mouthwatering summer flavor, you simply have to try this Tomato Cucumber Mozzarella Salad. Whether you’re sharing it with friends or relishing it solo, it’s bound to become a new warm-weather favorite. Enjoy every delicious, vibrant bite!
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Tomato Cucumber Mozzarella Salad Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Tossing
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A refreshing and colorful Tomato Cucumber Mozzarella Salad that is perfect for a light and flavorful meal or as a side dish. This salad combines the freshness of cucumber and cherry tomatoes with creamy mozzarella and avocado, all tossed in a simple balsamic dressing.
Ingredients
Cucumber:
- 1/2 English cucumber, quartered lengthwise and sliced
Tomatoes:
- 3 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
Mozzarella:
- 8 oz fresh mozzarella pearls, or 1 cup diced fresh mozzarella cheese
Avocado:
- 1 large avocado, diced
Basil:
- 1/3 cup basil leaves, chopped
Dressing:
- 3 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 garlic clove, peeled and pressed or grated
- 1/2 tsp fine sea salt, plus more to taste
- 1/4 tsp freshly cracked black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Combine cucumber, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, avocado, and basil in a serving bowl.
- Make Dressing: In a separate bowl, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Toss and Serve: Just before serving, drizzle the dressing over the salad, toss to combine, and serve.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 380mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
