Strawberry Mojito Salad
All you’ll need is four simple ingredients to make this refreshing Strawberry Mojito Salad! Inspired by the abundance of mint in my garden, I chopped it up and tossed it with freshly sliced strawberries, lime juice, and a hint of sugar for a fruity side dish that tastes like the epitome of summer!
Since I moved to Virginia, I’ve started a garden pretty much every year. One year I decided I wanted to grow mint because I heard it was easy. What I didn’t know is how AGGRESSIVE it is! It seriously grows EVERYWHERE, I truly can’t stop it. While I appreciate it will, I often find myself with so much leftover mint that I never know what to do with.
Dinner was sandwiches one night and I saw I had a pint of strawberries leftover and a random half of lime. I decided to mix the fresh mint with strawberries, fresh lime juice, and a hint of sugar and it was INCREDIBLE! It honestly tasted more like a dessert than anything.
Even if you don’t have mint in your garden, I recommend buying some just to make this easy summer fruit salad. All you’ll need to do is slice the strawberries, chop the mint, squeeze in the lime juice and sprinkle with a bit of granulated sugar. Toss it together until coated and let it sit in the fridge for 30 minutes. Toss before serving and it’s ready to enjoy on a hot day with some crispy grilled chicken wings or a thick grilled pork chop!
👩🏻🍳Expert Tips
- Choose firm but ripe strawberries: The acidity in the lime juice and the sugar will break down the strawberries making them softer. Starting with firm strawberries helps the texture and makes the salad stand up longer.
- Don’t use too much sugar: The first time I made this recipe (like in the video), I used one whole tablespoon of sugar for half a pound of strawberries and it was honestly too much! You don’t need much sugar to draw out the natural sweetness in the strawberries so I would start with less and add more if needed.
- Let it sit: The magic happens once the all the ingredients mix together. The mint releases it’s natural oils, the sugar draws out the moisture in the strawberries, and the acidity in the lime juice brings it all together. Once mixed, keep it in the fridge for 10-30 minutes for the best flavor possible.
- Serve immediately: Because the mixture is coated in acid and sugar, it will continue breaking down the strawberries the longer it sits. This is why it’s best to serve right after chilling in the fridge.
🍓Customize It
- The beauty of this summer fruit salad is that it can be customized to whatever you have on hand! Take the classic strawberry mojito flavor and make it your own!
- Swap out the lime juice for lemon juice or orange juice to give the salad a slightly different citrus tang.
- Replace the granulated sugar with honey or agave syrup for a natural sweetener.
- Add a handful of blueberries or raspberries for added color and variety in the fruit mix.
- Toss in cubed watermelon or cucumber for a refreshing and hydrating twist with a hint of crunch.
- Use basil instead of mint for a different herbed taste that pairs well with strawberries.
- Sprinkle a pinch of sea salt to bring out the natural sweetness in the strawberries.
- Mix in some crumbled feta cheese or goat cheese for a salty savory flavor to serve with grilled meats.
- Add a splash of balsamic vinegar to add a rich, tangy depth to the salad.
- Sprinkle a handful of toasted almonds or walnuts for a crunchy element with a nutty taste.
❓FAQ
Yes, kids love this salad! You can reduce the amount of mint and lime juice to make it sweeter. Adding a bit of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla yogurt on the side can also make it more enticing for children.
If fresh mint isn’t available, you can use a small amount of dried mint, though the flavor will be less vibrant. Fresh basil or cilantro can be used for a different but equally refreshing taste.
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The salad is best consumed within 1-2 days, as the strawberries will continue to soften over time.
🍋More Summer Recipes
Strawberry Mojito Salad
Equipment
- 1 mixing bowl
- 1 Spoon
- 1 Knife
- 1 cutting board
Ingredients
- 1 pound Strawberries ripe
- ¼ cup Mint chopped
- 2 tbsp Lime Juice from a fresh lime
- ½ tablespoon Granulated Sugar
Instructions
- Slice the strawberries into even, bite sized pieces depending on their size. Chop the mint into small pieces and add both to a mixing bowl.
- Squeeze the juice of one lime into the bowl and sprinkle the sugar on top.
- Toss until everything is combined and coated. Cover the bowl and let it sit in the fridge for 10-30 minutes.
- Toss again before serving. Enjoy!
