This 5-Ingredient Summer Salad Is So Refreshing—Everyone Loves It

You can't get a more refreshing summer salad combo than fresh peaches, cucumber, and basil. This recipe is a standout on its own but goes wonderfully with seafood or grilled chicken or pork.

Jul 12, 2024 - 16:00
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This 5-Ingredient Summer Salad Is So Refreshing—Everyone Loves It
A bowl of peach, cucumber, and basil salad garnished with fresh basil leaves
Simply Recipes / Kalisa Marie Martin

Salads are a great way to celebrate the season and are especially refreshing on hot summer days. This peach and cucumber salad has a simple set of ingredients that play off of each other in a fun way.

The black pepper and lime in the basil vinaigrette add a brightness and layer of complexity that gives this dish the perfect balance of sweet and savory.

This quick and easy salad is delicious on its own but also pairs wonderfully with savory meats, adding a cool and zesty bite to whatever it’s served with. You’ll quickly see why this unexpected combination just works.

Peach, cucumber, and basil salad in a bowl, ready to serve
Kalisa Marie Martin

Swaps and Substitutions to Make It Your Own

This salad is incredibly versatile. You can make simple swaps for almost every ingredient. The idea is just to have fun with it!

  • Swap the basil in the vinaigrette out for mint, cilantro, or tarragon.
  • If you don’t have peaches, try nectarines or plums.
  • No cucumbers? Try leafy greens and whatever crunchy vegetables you have on hand, like fennel or even string beans.
  • For a spicy kick, swap the subtle black pepper for a few slices of jalapeño.
  • If you’d like to add cheese, try briny feta or creamy goat cheese.

Prep the vegetables:

Add the chopped peaches and cucumbers to a large bowl.

Make the vinaigrette:

In the bowl or a mini food processor or blender, combine the lime zest and juice, oil, honey, basil, salt and pepper. Pulse until the basil is finely chopped and the vinaigrette is completely emulsified.

An open food processor with basil-lime vinaigrette
Kalisa Marie Martin

Dress the salad and serve:

Pour the vinaigrette over the peaches and cucumbers. Stir to coat evenly.

Transfer to a serving platter, garnish with torn basil leaves and serve immediately.

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A plate of peach and cucumber salad with a black pepper and basil vinaigrette pooling on the plate.
Kalisa Marie Martin