Cucumber-Mint Highball Salad
A crisp, layered salad served in a tall glass to mimic the highball drink's presentation, featuring cool cucumber, bright mint, and a zesty lime dressing. This mediterranean-inspired salads ready in about 15 minutes pairs medium cucumber, fresh mint leaves, thinly sliced red onion 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 180 calories and feeds 2, 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.
Ingredients
- 1 medium cucumber
- 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
- 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 1 tsp honey
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
- 2 fresh dill sprigs
Instructions
- Step 1: Peel the cucumber and cut into 1/4-inch thick half-moons, then slice each half-moon into 1/2-inch thick pieces to create small, uniform cubes.
- Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, 1 tbsp fresh lime juice, 1 tsp honey, and 1/4 tsp sea salt until emulsified and slightly thickened.
- Step 3: Place 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion in the bottom of a tall glass, then layer with 1/2 cup cucumber cubes, followed by 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, and repeat the layers until the glass is 3/4 full.
- Step 4: Drizzle the dressing over the salad, ensuring it coats all layers, and top with 2 fresh dill sprigs for a fragrant garnish.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Cucumber-Mint Highball 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 Cucumber-Mint Highball 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 medium cucumber from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Cucumber-Mint Highball 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 Cucumber-Mint Highball Salad for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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.
What goes well with Cucumber-Mint Highball Salad?
Mediterranean salads like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Swapped butter for olive oil to keep it lighter. Still delicious.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
