Cucumber Salad with Fresh Basil features crisp cucumbers and fragrant basil tossed with a simple lemon dressing. It’s a light and refreshing way to combine two summer garden favorites in one easy side dish.

Bowl of cucumber salad with fresh basil ribbons and lemon dressing, served chilled.

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Easy Summer Salad Recipe

Cucumbers and basil are two of those plants that seem made for summer gardens, and they come together beautifully in this chilled salad.

I’ve been keeping potted herbs on our back deck, right outside the kitchen, so I can grab them as needed while making dinner. This year’s herbs are basil, oregano, thyme, sage, dill, mint, rosemary, and chives. We didn’t plant cucumbers, but our neighbor has a serious green thumb and always seems to have more than they can use. So whenever she brings us extra cucumbers, I usually make this or Garden Cucumber Salad with fresh dill.

To make the salad, start by patting the cucumber pieces dry, which helps them stay crisp even after sitting with the dressing. Slice the basil into thin ribbons — it looks nice mixed in and distributes easily. Toss everything with lemon, olive oil, salt, and pepper, then let it chill in the fridge for a couple of hours. The cucumbers keep their crunch, the basil softens just enough, and the flavors come together into something that feels right at home on a summer table.

Garden Tips for Growing Cucumbers and Basil 🌱

Cucumbers require ample sunlight and consistent moisture to grow well. Pick them while they’re still firm and bright green — waiting too long can make the seeds tough and the flesh watery. Harvesting regularly also encourages the plants to keep producing.
Basil thrives in warm weather and does best when you harvest it often. Pinch off any flower buds as soon as you see them, so the plant can continue to put energy into new leaves.

Ingredients for Cucumber Salad with Fresh Basil

English Cucumber: Quartered lengthwise and sliced into bite-sized pieces. No need to peel the cucumber. Unless the skin is very thick or bitter, keep it on for the best color and texture.
Fresh Basil Leaves: Cut into thin strips for a pretty presentation.
Lemon Juice and Extra Virgin Olive Oil: For a light dressing.
Simple Seasonings: Kosher salt and ground black pepper bring everything into balance.

Can I use any type of cucumber?

Yes, any kind of cucumber works in this salad, but some hold up better than others.

English cucumbers have thin skin, few seeds, and stay crisp, making them an excellent choice. Kirby or pickling cucumbers are also good for their firm texture. Standard garden cucumbers are fine too, though you may want to peel them and remove some seeds if the skin is thick or the seeds are large.

How to Make Cucumber Salad with Fresh Basil

Step 1: Prepare the cucumber. Spread the quartered cucumber slices onto a towel. Pat dry to keep the salad from becoming watery. Set aside.

Step 2: Make the dressing. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the basil, lemon juice, and olive oil.

Step 3: Combine. Add the cucumbers and toss gently to coat.

Step 4: Season. Season with salt and black pepper. Give it another gentle toss and adjust to taste.

Step 5: Chill. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours, or until cold. Serve chilled.

Can I serve this right away?

You can, but chilling gives the flavors time to meld and keeps the cucumbers cold.

Storage

For the best texture, plan to serve this salad the same day. Leftovers can be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator, but the cucumbers will lose some of their crunch overnight.

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