Cucumber Blueberry Salad (2024)

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.

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