Description
This refreshing Summer Cucumber Caprese Salad is packed with juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, creamy goat cheese, and vibrant herbs. It’s the perfect easy side dish for BBQs, potlucks, or a healthy light lunch. Naturally gluten-free and easily adaptable for dairy-free diets.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved (about 1¾ cups)
- 1 medium cucumber, chopped (about 1½ cups)
- 1 bell pepper, diced (any color, about 1 cup)
- 1 cup sliced snap peas
- 1 cup fresh corn kernels (may use canned or thawed frozen corn)
- ½ small red onion, sliced or diced (about ½ cup)
- ¾ cup (4 ounces) crumbled soft goat cheese
- ½ cup roasted sunflower seed kernels
- ½ cup finely chopped fresh parsley or fresh basil
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 garlic clove, finely minced
- ½ teaspoon fine salt, plus more to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper, plus more to taste
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Halve the cherry tomatoes, chop the cucumber and bell pepper, slice the snap peas, and cut the corn kernels off the cob. Thinly slice the red onion.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, snap peas, corn, red onion, goat cheese, sunflower seeds, and fresh herbs.
- In a small jar or bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, salt, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes.
- Drizzle the dressing over the salad ingredients and toss gently until evenly combined. The goat cheese will melt slightly, creating a creamy texture.
- Garnish with extra herbs if desired and serve immediately.
Notes
- You can prep the veggies and dressing ahead of time and store separately. Toss together before serving.
- For a dairy-free version, omit the goat cheese.
- Substitute feta, mozzarella, or Parmesan for goat cheese if preferred.
- Sunflower seeds can be swapped with almonds, pumpkin seeds, or crunchy edamame beans.
- Leftovers store well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Tossed
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 194mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 9g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
Keywords: Summer Cucumber Caprese Salad Recipes, summer salad, cucumber salad, Caprese salad, healthy summer side dish, BBQ salad, potluck recipe