PCOS Friendly Basil-Pesto Cucumber Salad
Crisp, cool cucumber meets a vibrant herb pesto in this refreshing salad that comes together with minimal effort and maximum flavor. The homemade pesto skips the cheese and pine nuts entirely, leaning instead on fresh basil, parsley, garlic, and a generous pour of extra-virgin olive oil for richness — making it a genuinely clean, whole-food option. A pinch of turmeric sneaks into the blender alongside the herbs, adding a warm, golden hue and a subtle anti-inflammatory boost that fits naturally into a hormone-supportive way of eating. Salting the cucumbers first and letting them drain means you get perfectly crisp slices rather than a watery, soggy bowl — a small step that makes a big difference in texture. The bright hit of fresh lemon juice keeps everything tasting light and lively, balancing the grassy depth of the olive oil beautifully. It works as a quick side dish, a starter, or even a light lunch on its own, and the pesto can be blended ahead of time to make assembly even faster. Fresh, simple, and genuinely satisfying — this is the kind of recipe that earns a permanent spot in your weeknight rotation.
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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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