Nitrate & Nitrite Free Basil-Pesto Cucumber Salad
Cool, crisp cucumbers meet a vibrant herb pesto in this refreshing salad that feels like summer in every bite. The homemade pesto is built entirely from fresh basil, parsley, garlic, lemon juice, and good olive oil — nothing cured, nothing processed, nothing that sneaks in unwanted preservatives. That matters more than you might think, because store-bought pestos and pre-dressed salads can harbor additives that people avoiding nitrates and nitrites have to watch out for. Salting the cucumbers first and letting them drain is a small but smart step that keeps the whole dish from turning watery, so the pesto clings beautifully to every slice or ribbon. A touch of turmeric gives the sauce a warm golden undertone and a subtle earthiness that makes this feel like more than just a simple side. It comes together in one food processor and a single mixing bowl, which means less cleanup and more time enjoying a plate that looks genuinely impressive. Finish it with a drizzle of olive oil and a handful of torn fresh basil, and you have something bright, clean, and completely made from scratch.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the salad
- 2 large english cucumbers
- ½ tsp fine sea salt
For the pesto
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves, loosely packed
- ¼ cup fresh parsley leaves
- 2 cloves garlic, peeled
- ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- ¼ tsp fine sea salt
- ¼ tsp ground turmeric
For serving
- 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling (optional)
- 2 tbsp fresh basil leaves, torn (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Slice the cucumbers into thin rounds or use a vegetable peeler to cut them into long ribbons, about 1/8-inch thick. Transfer to a colander set over the sink, toss with 1/2 tsp fine sea salt, and let stand for 10 minutes until the cucumbers have released some liquid. Pat dry with paper towels.
- 2
Combine the basil, parsley, garlic, lemon juice, 1/4 tsp fine sea salt, and turmeric in a food processor or blender. Pulse 5–6 times until the herbs are roughly chopped.
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