Spring and Summer months bring so much joy with fresh fruit! This Cool Cucumber and Strawberry Salad with Vinaigrette can certainly be eaten all year-round and is waist-friendly for the 17 Day Diet.
Sure, you can find strawberries any time of the year, but I think they have less flavor when it’s during the off-season.
When it’s officially strawberry season, I eat them daily!
This recipe is super simple. It’s basically cucumbers and strawberries (plus a few extra ingredients).
The vinaigrette is made by using even more strawberries (and a few extra ingredients, too).
Such a refreshing salad on hot days, so make sure you add this to your Summer BBQ recipe ideas list!
I love to eat this salad when strawberries are in season. I generally start eating strawberries during Spring and Summer.
The sweeter the berries, the better the salad and dressing!
I also featured this recipe in my 7-Day Salad Diet Challenge because it’s easy to make and you can generally find strawberries year round (even though they do taste better during the Summer!).
Best Way to Prepare Cucumbers
This recipe calls for your cucumbers to be peeled and diced. I personally have a bit of trouble digesting the skin, so that’s why I peel the cucumbers first.
However, if you don’t have this problem, you can certainly keep the peel on. You’ll get more nutrients from the skin.
Plus, it will add more color to your salad.
If you prefer sliced, rather than diced, feel free to slice your cucumbers!
There’s really no right or wrong way to prepare this salad.
Skin on or off – it doesn’t make any difference.
If you want a chunky salad like the recipe calls for, then dice your veggies and fruit.
If you want a thinly sliced salad, then opt for sliced ingredients!
It might be a bit difficult to see the cucumber in my photo above – it’s mainly because they are peeled!
Other Low Carb Fruit-Based Salads You May Enjoy
If you like the simplicity of this salad, you’ll likely love these other recipes:
- Crunchy Sweet Apple Chicken Salad
- Peach Caprese Salad for the 17 Day Diet
- Summer Slaw with Apples
- Grilled Chicken Salad with Summer Berries
More Low Carb Salad Recipes You Might Like to Try
If you like this fruit and veggie based salad, you may these other low carb recipes that do not feature any fruit:
- Tuna and Egg Salad (Mayo Free)
- Kickstart Detox Salad
- Chicken Arugula Salad
- Keto Egg Salad
- Salmon Avocado Salsa Salad
- Buffalo Chicken Salad with Greek Yogurt
- Grown-up Tuna Salad with Creamy Balsamic Dressing
- Chicken Caesar Kebabs
If you decide to make this salad, make sure you stop back by to rate this recipe below and let me know how you enjoyed it!
Cool Cucumber and Strawberry Salad with Vinaigrette
A cool and refreshing salad without the lettuce!
Ingredients
For the Salad
- 1 whole cucumber, peeled and diced
- 5-6 Strawberries, diced
- 1 serving strawberry vinaigrette (see below)
- Fresh ground white pepper
- Mint, chopped (optional)
For the Vinaigrette
- 5-6 Medium Strawberries
- 1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
- Dash of salt
- Dash of cayenne (optional)
- Fresh ground black pepper to taste
- Stevia to taste
- Water for desired consistency
Instructions
For the vinaigrette:
- Combine all ingredients in food processor. Puree until smooth. Set aside.
For the salad:
- Slice strawberries and cucumber and place in a bowl.
- Pour vinaigrette over salad and mix well.
- Allow salad to marinade for about 10 minutes for all flavors to fully combine.
- Garnish salad with sliced strawberries and freshly ground pepper.
- Top with mint (optional)
Notes
Approved for all cycles.
Cucumbers - you can peel or leave the skin on. It's your choice.
If you want a chunky salad, dice as the recipe calls for. Otherwise, sliced veggies and fruit is fine, too!
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I’ve been loving the 17 Day Diet since 2011. I love sharing my favorite healthy recipes and meal plans to keep you motivated and on the right path to success!
When I’m not hanging out here, I enjoy quick trips to the Oregon Coast, designing my jewelry line, being a proud Swiftie, and tinkering with my personal Youtube Channel!
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I don’t think we are allowed to have strawberries on cycle 1?
Yes, all berries of all types are allowed on the diet (and even in Cycle 1). Berries are low in sugar and are very good for you. If you don’t have the book or want to sign up for my free guide, you can get all the cycle food lists. Sign up at https://17ddblog.com/new-guide/
I did the HCG diet and lost 25lbs and then transitioned to the Atkins diet and continued to lose as I stayed on the same low fat/sugar diet but increased the calories. I also dropped the fruit. I am now at a standstill (plateau) and this diet looks like a combination of both diets. My problem is that this isn’t enough food for me. I am over 60, menopausal and suffer with migraines so I must eat regularly. Is there an appetite suppressant that can go along with this diet to keep me at 1200 cals without feeling hungry? Or, do you have any other suggestions?
Hi Polly. I have never read in the book where it tells us to keep our caloric intake at 1200 calories. If you find this reference, please provide a page number. However, I have read on other blogs that the diet guideline is a MINIMUM of 1200 calories. While I can’t confirm this is true, it does sound correct based on what Dr. Moreno tells us in this book (cycles 1 and 2 — eat UNLIMITED lean meats and veggies if hungry). So my point is this: rather than try to suppress your appetite, EAT MORE! I know, this sounds counterintuitive, but fueling the body with lean proteins and veggies will actually allow you to lose weight. Search this blog for tips on how to break your plateau if this doesn’t work. Good luck!
Actually, I’m confused about the nuts. I can’t find anywhere that nuts are allowed on any cycle, much less cycle 1. Are you sure?
Eleta, under the Cycle 3 food list under healthy fats: Nuts or seeds, un-oiled (2 tablespoons = 1 serving)
You can view the list here: https://17ddblog.com/food-lists/cycle-3/
I used the 17-dd & lost 20# on the first and half of second cycle and never, ever hungry..it does work
I didn’t follow the list on the first cycle should i continue on first cycle more or go to the next ?
You’ll never be 100% perfect, so keep going and continue to the next cycle!
I’ve tried nearly every diet under the sun, suffice to say, I’m the queen of diets, I’ve dieted enough times in my life to know what works and what doesn’t. This 17 day diet is an absolute miracle eating plan to lose your weight. It’s not a diet, but a healthy way to eat. The weight loss I have experienced since starting this, I’m now on cycle 3 day 7, has been a miracle! my first week, I lost over 6kg and just over 10 inches from my whole body!! Never in all my dieting years have I ever achieved that sort of weight loss so quickly. To date. I’m down 12kg and have another 20 kg to go, At the end of cycle 3 I will revert back to cycle 1. It;s impossible NOT to lose weight on this programme, if your following it correctly and taking note of your fullness scale. I can honestly say, I’ve never once felt hungry since starting this. Anyone who needs to lose weight really should try the 17 day diet. I have the break through edition book and treat both that and Torey’s blogs like the bible. I refer constantly to both and Torey’s blog and fb page is an awesome help and support. Read up on the eating plan first, plan your week out, eat the same meals as your family, and you will have constant success!!