Chilled Citrus and Cucumber Imbibe Salad

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A refreshing salad designed to quench and invigorate, combining crisp cucumbers and tangy citrus with a light honey dressing. This mediterranean-inspired salads (vegetarian) ready in about 15 minutes pairs large, thinly sliced English cucumber, large, peeled and segmented Orange, freshly squeezed Lemon juice into a side that holds its own next to almost any main — bright, balanced, and quick enough to slot into a weeknight plate. Each serving lands at about 60 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 60 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a medium bowl, combine 1 large thinly sliced English cucumber and 1 large peeled orange segmented, tossing gently to mix.
  2. Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice and 1 tbsp honey until fully blended and slightly thickened.
  3. Step 3: Pour the honey-lemon dressing over the cucumber and orange mixture, then add 10 chopped fresh mint leaves, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper. Toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly.
  4. Step 4: Refrigerate the salad for 20 minutes to allow flavors to imbibe and meld before serving chilled.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Chilled Citrus and Cucumber Imbibe Salad take to make?

Total time is about 15 minutes (15 min prep + 0 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Chilled Citrus and Cucumber Imbibe Salad?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep freshly squeezed lemon juice from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Chilled Citrus and Cucumber Imbibe Salad?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Chilled Citrus and Cucumber Imbibe Salad for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is Chilled Citrus and Cucumber Imbibe Salad vegetarian?

Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

Related recipes