Cucumber blueberry salad is a refreshing summer side dish that's filled with fresh seasonal ingredients. Cucumber, blueberries, almonds, and fresh mint are tossed in a homemade lemon-honey vinaigrette dressing.
Make a batch of refreshing and light cucumber blueberry salad to keep you cool this summer. Filled with fresh and nutritious ingredients, this cold salad recipe makes the perfect picnic side dish.
Sliced fresh cucumbers, blueberries, almonds, and mint are tossed together and drizzled in a homemade honey-lemon vinaigrette dressing. The flavors are light, fresh, and bright - the perfect combination to cool you down on a hot summer day.
Serve this salad at your next picnic, barbecue, or as a light lunch. You may also enjoy my other fruit salad recipes like arugula watermelon salad and strawberry walnut salad.
Ingredients and substitutions
- Cucumbers - Any cucumbers will work in this recipe, like slicing cucumbers, seedless, English, or pickling cucumbers.
- Blueberries - Fresh blueberries could be substituted with other berries if desired. I don't recommend using frozen, thawed blueberries since they have a softer, mushier texture that doesn't hold up well in a salad.
- Almonds - Sliced almonds can be substituted with your favorite chopped nuts, like pecans, walnuts, or pistachios.
- Honey - Can be substituted with maple syrup to make this recipe vegan friendly.
- Lemon juice - Fresh lemon juice is best - it has a much fresher, brighter flavor compared to lemon juice concentrate.
- Mint - Fresh, julienned mint adds a fresh, bright flavor to the salad. Mint could be substituted with fresh basil for a different flavor.
- Olive oil - Necessary to make the dressing.
- Salt & pepper - Adds flavor to the dressing.
Does cucumber need to be peeled?
Does cucumber need to be peeled for salad? Cucumber skin is edible and doesn't need to be removed. However, it depends on the type of cucumber you have on hand.
- Waxy coating - Some cucumbers come with a waxy coating. This should be peeled off before dicing into a salad.
- Thick skin - If your cucumbers have a thick, bitter skin, I'd recommend peeling them.
- Thin skin - Some cucumbers have a thin skin that won't affect the texture of your salad. These don't need to be peeled (unless you want to).
Health benefits
- Blueberries - Contains antioxidants, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, and fiber.
- Cucumber - Increases hydration and contains Vitamin K, fiber, and antioxidants.
- Almonds - Contains vitamin E, fiber, and protein.
- Mint - May help relieve indigestion and contains Vitamin A.
Making ahead
I don't recommend preparing your salad ingredients more than 24 hours in advance. The cucumber releases liquid as it sits and the fresh mint will begin to wilt.
Prepare and store your ingredients separately in three containers:
- Diced cucumber
- Blueberries, almonds, and mint
- Lemon vinaigrette
Toss the salad ingredients together just before serving.
Leftovers and storage
Have leftover salad? It will keep for up to 3 days in the refrigerator, but will get watery over time. Simply toss the salad again just before serving leftovers.
Recommended
📖 Recipe
Cucumber Blueberry Salad
Ingredients
- 2 cucumbers
- 1 pint (340 g) blueberries
- ½ cup (43 g) sliced almonds
- ¼ cup (8 g) fresh mint
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice, juice of 1 lemon
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon honey, or maple syrup
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Slice cucumber into bite size pieces and add to bowl along with blueberries and sliced almonds. Gather fresh mint leaves into a stack, roll tightly together, and slice into long, thin ribbons. Add to bowl with other ingredients and set aside.
- In a small bowl, whisk together lemon juice, olive oil, honey, salt, and pepper. Pour over salad ingredients and toss until evenly coated. Serve immediately, or refrigerate until ready to serve.
Equipment Recommendations
Notes
- Salad is best served the same day as preparing.
- If making ahead, store cucumber separately and wait until just before serving to toss salad in dressing. Cucumber will release water as it sits, making your salad watery.
- Leftovers can be kept in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Looks and sounds yummy!
Do you have any suggestions on a sub for almonds/no nuts?
Thanks!
Hi Jaelyn, in the ingredients and substitutions section: "Sliced almonds can be substituted with your favorite chopped nuts, like pecans, walnuts, or pistachios." Sunflower seeds would also work if you're looking to go nut-free!
LOVED this salad! Even my husband, who dislikes fresh cucumbers, enjoyed it. And I enjoyed using the garden-fresh blueberries in a non-carb way. The lemon dressing is so bright to the tastebuds! Yummo!
I loved this! Super fresh and easy! Will definitely be making this again!
This was just ok with me. It didn’t have a lot of flavor and I didn’t really get much of a blueberry taste. I think I can find a better use for my blueberries next time.
Much of the flavor in this recipe comes from the fresh produce (cucumber, blueberry, mint, lemon) used. If there wasn't much blueberry flavor, it sounds like maybe your blueberries weren't quite ripe or in season.
Absolutely excellent!!
Glad you enjoyed it Pauline!