10-Minute Easy Cucumber Caprese Salad That Wows Every Time

Name: 10-Minute Easy Cucumber Caprese Salad That Wows Every Time
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 2 medium cucumbers, sliced; 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved; 8 oz fresh mozzarella balls (ciliegine); 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped; 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil; 2 tbsp balsamic glaze; Salt and pepper to taste

Author: Tessa

Published: June 27, 2025

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Oh my gosh, you have to try this Easy Cucumber Caprese Salad! It’s my go-to summer lifesaver when I want something fresh, fast, and absolutely bursting with flavor. I first threw this together during one of those crazy hot weekends when turning on the oven felt like a crime – and wow, did it become an instant favorite. The crisp cucumbers, creamy mozzarella, and sweet tomatoes just sing together, especially with that balsamic glaze drizzled over everything. What I love most? You can whip this up in about 10 minutes flat, and it always looks like you put way more effort in than you actually did. Perfect for those “I need something impressive but I’m exhausted” moments!

Easy Cucumber Caprese Salad - detail 1

Why You’ll Love This Easy Cucumber Caprese Salad

Trust me, this salad checks all the boxes:

10-minute magic: Chop, toss, drizzle – done! Perfect for when hunger strikes fast.
No oven required: Your kitchen stays cool while you look like a kitchen rockstar.
Freshness explosion: That crisp cucumber crunch with creamy mozzarella? Absolute summer bliss!
Crowd-pleaser: I’ve served this at everything from BBQs to fancy brunches – always disappears first.
Endless adaptability: Swap ingredients based on what’s ripe or what you’re craving.

Seriously, once you try this combo, you’ll be making it all season long!

Ingredients for Easy Cucumber Caprese Salad

Here’s everything you’ll need to make this refreshing summer salad sing – and I promise, every ingredient matters! This isn’t one of those “throw whatever’s in the fridge” situations. The magic happens when you use:

2 medium cucumbers: Look for firm ones with smooth skin – they’ll give you that perfect crisp bite (I like English or Persian varieties best)
1 cup cherry tomatoes: Halved, and go for the sweetest you can find – they’re like nature’s candy!
8 oz fresh mozzarella balls (ciliegine size): Those little pearl-sized ones – drain them well so they don’t water down your salad
1/4 cup fresh basil leaves: Chopped, and please use fresh – dried basil just won’t give you that same pop of flavor
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil: The good stuff – it makes all the difference
2 tbsp balsamic glaze: That thick, syrupy kind that clings perfectly to every bite
Salt and pepper: To taste, but don’t be shy – they really wake up all the flavors

How to Make Easy Cucumber Caprese Salad

Okay, here’s the fun part – let’s put this gorgeous salad together! I promise it’s so simple you’ll have it memorized after one try. The key is treating each ingredient with care so every bite sings with freshness.

Step 1: Prep the Vegetables and Cheese

First, grab those gorgeous cucumbers and slice them into coins about 1/4-inch thick – not too thin (they’ll get soggy), not too thick (they won’t blend well). Pro tip: If your cukes have thick skins, I like to peel them in stripes – pretty and practical!

Halve those cherry tomatoes next. I find grape tomatoes work great too if they’re sweeter. Now drain those mozzarella pearls really well – I pat them dry with paper towels so they don’t water down our masterpiece.

Step 2: Assemble the Salad

Take your biggest mixing bowl (trust me, you’ll want room to toss) and gently combine the cucumbers, tomatoes, and mozzarella. Here’s where I get all chef-y: tear the basil leaves instead of chopping them! It keeps them from bruising and releases those amazing oils.

Step 3: Add Dressing and Seasoning

Drizzle everything with that golden olive oil first – it helps the glaze stick better. Then zigzag that thick balsamic glaze over the top like you’re painting edible art! Sprinkle with salt and fresh cracked pepper to taste.

Now the hardest part – wait 10 minutes if you can! Chilling lets the flavors mingle beautifully. But honestly? I’ve dug in immediately more times than I can count…

Easy Cucumber Caprese Salad - detail 2

Tips for the Best Easy Cucumber Caprese Salad

After making this salad more times than I can count (seriously, my family requests it weekly!), I’ve picked up some foolproof tricks:

Cucumber crunch is key: Always choose firm cucumbers – give them a little squeeze at the store. Soft ones turn soggy fast.
Chill time matters: Letting it sit for 10 minutes before serving works magic – the flavors really come alive!
Glaze control: If your balsamic glaze is too thick, warm the bottle briefly in hot water – it’ll drizzle like liquid gold.
Salt smart: Wait until just before serving to season – salt draws out moisture from the cucumbers.
Cheese hack: If you can’t find pearl mozzarella, just slice a larger ball into bite-sized chunks.

Follow these little secrets, and you’ll have people begging for your “secret recipe” – I won’t tell if you don’t!

Ingredient Substitutions & Variations

Listen, I’m all about sticking to the original recipe (it’s perfect!), but sometimes you gotta improvise based on what’s in your fridge or dietary needs. Here are my tried-and-true swaps:

No balsamic glaze? Use regular balsamic vinegar mixed with a teaspoon of honey – microwaved briefly to thicken.
Want some heat? A pinch of red pepper flakes turns this into a spicy-sweet dream.
Vegan option: Swap mozzarella for cubed avocado or vegan cheese – still creamy and delicious!
Tomato alternatives: In winter, try roasted red peppers or sun-dried tomatoes for a flavor punch.

The beauty? This salad forgives experimentation beautifully!

Serving Suggestions for Easy Cucumber Caprese Salad

Oh, the places this salad goes! I love it piled high on a platter with grilled chicken or shrimp skewers for a complete meal. During summer picnics, I’ll tuck it next to crusty bread for scooping up all those delicious juices. And honestly? Sometimes I just grab a fork and eat the whole bowl myself – it’s that satisfying as a light lunch. Pro tip: Serve in individual mason jars for the cutest portable salads ever!

Storage and Reheating

Here’s the honest truth – this salad shines brightest when eaten fresh! The cucumbers lose their perfect crunch after about a day in the fridge (though mine never lasts that long). If you must store it, keep it airtight for up to 24 hours – just know the tomatoes might get a bit soft. And reheating? Don’t even think about it! This beauty’s meant to be enjoyed cool and crisp right from the bowl.

Nutritional Information for Easy Cucumber Caprese Salad

Here’s the scoop on what’s in each delicious serving (about 1 cup) of this refreshing salad:

Calories: 180
Fat: 12g (4g saturated)
Carbs: 8g
Fiber: 2g
Sugar: 6g
Protein: 8g

Just remember – these numbers might wiggle a bit depending on your exact ingredients. That fancy olive oil or super-creamy mozzarella you splurged on? Totally worth any calorie variations!

FAQs About Easy Cucumber Caprese Salad

You’ve got questions? I’ve made this salad enough times to have all the answers!

Can I make this ahead of time?
Absolutely! Prep everything up to 4 hours early, but wait to add the dressing and basil until right before serving. Toss those in last to keep everything crisp and fresh.

What if I can’t find small mozzarella balls?
No sweat! Just grab a large fresh mozzarella ball and cube it up. I actually do this sometimes when I want bigger cheese bites in my salad.

Is there a substitute for balsamic glaze?
You bet! Mix 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar with 1 tsp honey – microwave for 15 seconds to thicken slightly. It’s not quite the same, but works in a pinch!

How long will leftovers keep?
Honestly? Maybe a day, but the texture won’t be as good. The cucumbers get soggy and the basil wilts. This salad’s really meant to be enjoyed fresh!

Did You Make This Recipe?

If you tried this Easy Cucumber Caprese Salad, I’d love to hear how it turned out! Leave a quick rating or comment below – or snap a photo and share it with me. Your feedback makes my day!