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Home » Salads » Cucumber Salad Recipe with Lemon Basil Vinaigrette

Published: May 8, 2019 by Karly · This post may contain affiliate links

Cucumber Salad Recipe with Lemon Basil Vinaigrette

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Simple and flavorful, this Cucumber Salad Recipe with Lemon Basil Vinaigrette is perfect for spring and summer! With peppery arugula and nutty couscous, this salad is balanced and comes together in minutes. Different from typical cucumber salads, this recipe features a lemon basil vinaigrette with a touch of honey; light and citrusy, as opposed to the traditional cucumber salad dressing made with mayo or sour cream. Wow the crowd with the best salad around!

overhead view of three bowls of cucumber salad recipe with lemon basil vinaigrette and a small bowl of flake sea salt

A Girls’ Weekend

I tried a version of this recipe last year when one of my mom’s friends made it with our dinner, which was a massive chimichurri coated steak. The whole thing was so so good.

There were so many punchy flavors that complemented each other, but the salad is what really stood out for me and begged to be made again and again.

side view of two bowls of cucumber salad recipe with lemon basil vinaigrette with a small bowl of flake sea saltside view of a jar of lemon basil vinaigrette before being shaken

What’s In The Lemon Basil Dressing?

This cucumber salad dressing is so simple and so flavorful, you’ll be amazed. Combine:

  • olive oil
  • lemon juice
  • honey
  • fresh basil
  • salt + pepper

And just shake it, shake it, shake it!

angled view of a pot of cooked couscous coated in lemon basil vinaigretteside view of a jar of lemon basil vinaigrette being poured into a pot of cooked couscous by hand

How to Make This Cucumber Salad Recipe

This salad comes together so quickly! The only thing that takes a moment is making the couscous. It is definitely something you can make ahead if you want, but if you do that, you’ll want to whip up the dressing ahead of time as well.

Why?

It’s best to dress the couscous while it’s still warm! It absorbs more flavor and keeps the couscous from getting sticky, but really, it’s all about the flavor.

After making the couscous, all you really need to do is toss together:

  • a giant pile of cucumbers
  • arugula
  • the dressed couscous
  • some feta

And BAM! Done and done.

side view of three bowls of cucumber salad recipe with lemon basil vinaigrette and one small bowl of flake sea salt

Cucumber Salad with Lemon Basil Vinaigrette

Tempt your tastebuds with the bright flavors of this super simple cucumber salad recipe, with nutty couscous tossed in a punchy lemon basil dressing on top of a bed of peppery arugula. Ready in minutes and the perfect side dish for any summer meal!

If you like this recipe, please give it a 5-star rating!

angled view of two bowls of cucumber salad recipe with lemon basil vinaigrette with a small bowl of flake sea salt

You May Also Like…

  • Mediterranean Chickpea Salad
  • Za’atar Chickpea Buddha Bowl
  • Midwestern Cucumber Salad

Cucumber Salad Recipe with Lemon Basil Vinaigrette

Tempt your tastebuds with the bright flavors of this super simple cucumber salad recipe, with nutty couscous tossed in a punchy lemon basil dressing on top of a bed of peppery arugula. Ready in minutes and the perfect side dish for any summer meal!
5 from 2 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Appetizer, Salad, Salads
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 274kcal
Author: Karly Gomez

Ingredients

For The Dressing

  • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • ¾ teaspoon honey
  • 1 tablespoon fresh basil chopped
  • kosher salt to taste
  • cracked pepper to taste

For The Salad

  • 1 cup dried pearl couscous
  • 2 english cucumbers sliced thin
  • 4 cups arugula
  • 1 cup feta
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • In a small jar add the dressing ingredients, cover with a tight lid and shake vigorously. Adjust seasonings as desired and set aside.
  • Prepare couscous according to package instructions. While still warm, add ½-3/4 of the dressing and toss gently to coat.
  • Add the cucumbers, arugula, and feta to a large bowl and toss with the remaining dressing. Stir in the couscous, then divide between 6 plates and serve immediately.

Notes

Adapted from Inspired Taste

Nutrition

Calories: 274kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 22mg | Sodium: 287mg | Potassium: 259mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 545IU | Vitamin C: 6.8mg | Calcium: 167mg | Iron: 1mg
MADE THIS RECIPE?Click here to leave a comment + star rating! ★★★★★

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Imagery Shot With

photo-accessoriesCanon EOS 6D | Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens

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About Karly

From her childhood home in Southern Minnesota, Karly embraces the crazy of everyday life by creating delicious dishes her family and friends love, while experimenting with new flavors and techniques and photographing the results. Karly’s love for beautiful foods and joy for creating is infectious to all who meet her.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. wilhelmina says

    May 08, 2019 at 10:57 pm

    5 stars
    The lemon basil dressing really makes this salad special!

    Reply
  2. Sandra says

    May 08, 2019 at 10:45 pm

    5 stars
    Such a simple and flavorful dressing. My daughter has a lemon tree and she keeps sending lemons over. This will be a staple at our house. Thanks for a great recipe.

    Reply

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author karly gomez of a simple pantry with a background of red bell peppers
Hi, I'm Karly! Welcome to A Simple Pantry, where you’ll find inspiration for any meal and every occasion with tried-and-tested recipes, step-by-step tutorials, and occasional cooking videos that help you prepare easy gourmet dishes the whole family will love.
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i prefer margaritas and sitting in the shade to piña coladas and getting caught in the rain.

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