30-Minute Fresh Cucumber Avocado Mint Salad
A refreshing Mediterranean-style salad combining crisp salted cucumbers, creamy avocado, and tangy feta cheese with bright mint and lime. Perfect for summer entertaining or as a light side dish. The key technique of salting the cucumbers draws out excess moisture, preventing the salad from becoming watery while intensifying the cucumber flavor. Fresh mint adds aromatic brightness while lime juice keeps the avocado from browning.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cucumbers, choppedEnglish cucumbers1:1vegetable
need peeling and seeding
- 1 pinch salt, generous
- 2 small avocados, peeled and chopped into 1/2 inch pieces
- 1 T lime juice, fresh
- ½ cup mint, finely chopped fresh
- ½ cup feta, crumbled
- 2 T olive oil, extra-virgin
- 1 T lime juice, fresh
Instructions
- 1
Peel cucumbers if not using Persian variety, cut in half lengthwise, and scrape out seeds with spoon
- 2
Cut cucumber into 1/2 inch slices and place in colander
- 3
Sprinkle with salt and let sit for 20-30 minutes
- 4
Whisk together olive oil and lime juice to make dressing
- 5
Wash mint in salad spinner with cold water and spin dry, then finely chop
- 6
Crumble feta and measure desired amount
- 7
Peel avocado, chop into 1/2 inch pieces, place in large bowl and toss with lime juice
- 8
Check cucumber moisture after draining time, blot with paper towels if very wet
- 9
Add drained cucumbers and dressing to avocado and stir to combine
- 10
Gently fold in crumbled feta and chopped mint
- 11
Serve immediately
Tips
Use Persian cucumbers when possible as they don't need peeling and have fewer seeds, making prep faster.
Salt the cucumbers for the full 20-30 minutes to properly draw out moisture and concentrate flavor.
Blot salted cucumbers well with paper towels if they release significant water to prevent a watery salad.
Good to Know
Refrigerate covered for up to 2 days, though texture is best within 4 hours
Prep cucumbers and dressing up to 2 hours ahead, add avocado just before serving
Serve immediately at room temperature or slightly chilled
Common Mistakes
Don't skip salting cucumbers or salad will be watery
Add avocado last to prevent browning and mushiness
Substitutions
need peeling and seeding
FAQ
Can I make this salad ahead of time?
You can prep the cucumbers and dressing up to 2 hours ahead, but add the avocado just before serving to prevent browning and maintain the best texture.
What if I don't have Persian cucumbers?
Use English or regular cucumbers but peel them, cut in half lengthwise, and scrape out the seeds with a spoon to prevent excess moisture and bitterness.
How long will this salad keep in the refrigerator?
The salad will keep covered for up to 2 days, but the texture and appearance are best within the first 4 hours due to the avocado.