Zucchini Salad Recipe: Fresh Spanish Summer Starter 2026

Zucchini salad is a bright, eye-catching dish that comes together in about ten minutes with no cooking at all. Raw zucchini keeps a pleasant crunch and a mild, sweet flavor that pairs beautifully with red onion, creamy mozzarella and toasted walnuts.

The dressing is a simple emulsion of extra virgin olive oil, honey, lemon juice and mustard, whisked or shaken until it turns glossy and coats every strand. It balances the sharpness of the onion and the richness of the cheese without overpowering the vegetables.

Serve this salad as a light starter, a first course with real presence, or a side next to grilled fish. It is also easy to prep ahead: keep the dressed zucchini and onion covered in the fridge, then add the mozzarella, walnuts and dressing right before serving so nothing goes soft.

Ingredients for Zucchini Salad

This recipe yields 2 servings.

• 1 zucchini
• 1 small red onion
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon mustard
• Salt
• Ground black pepper
• 125 g mozzarella
• 1 tablespoon walnuts

How to Make Zucchini Salad Step by Step

1. Cut the Zucchini and Onion

First, wash, peel and cut 1 zucchini into long, thin strips. You can use a mandoline for even ribbons, or a sharp knife if you work carefully. Finely chop 1 small red onion as well.

2. Make the Dressing

Prepare the dressing by emulsifying 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, 1 teaspoon of honey, 1 teaspoon of lemon juice and 1 teaspoon of mustard. Shake the mixture vigorously in a sealed jar until it comes together, then season with salt and pepper to taste.

3. Assemble the Salad

Arrange the zucchini, the onion and 125 g of mozzarella, either in small balls or cut into cubes, on a plate. Pour the prepared dressing over the top and scatter over 1 tablespoon of roughly chopped walnuts.

4. Serve Right Away

Serve this delicious, colorful zucchini salad immediately so the zucchini stays crisp and the mozzarella holds its shape.

Tips for the Best Zucchini Salad

Raw Zucchini Is the Point

Even though zucchini is usually served cooked, it can be eaten raw, and uncooked it actually gains a lot in flavor and texture. Choose firm, glossy, small-to-medium zucchini for the best crunch and the sweetest taste.

Make It Ahead Without Wilting

You can prepare this salad in advance and keep it covered in the fridge, leaving out the walnuts and holding back the dressing until the moment you serve. That way the zucchini and onion stay firm instead of softening in the vinaigrette.

How to Serve It

This zucchini salad is ideal alongside grilled fish, but it also works beautifully as a starter or a first course with full star billing. Pair it with crusty bread to soak up every drop of the honey-mustard dressing.

30 Go-To Recipes I Keep Coming Back to at Home

If you're anything like me, your kitchen rotation probably includes a little bit of everything—cozy comfort classics, tried-and-true dishes from around the globe, and sweets that make everyone happy.

When a rich, indulgent treat is calling my name, I'll reach for this La Viña Molten Cheesecake recipe, this sophisticated Original French Crème Brûlée recipe, or a luscious Chocolate Mousse Cake recipe. And on days when I want something fruity and cozy, this timeless French Tarte Tatin recipe is my reliable pick.

Come breakfast time or when I'm after a lighter bite, I'll whip up these airy Oatmeal and Banana Pancakes recipe, a hearty Stuffed Sweet Potato recipe, or these bright Eggs Stuffed with Avocado and Salmon recipe. And for a gluten-free staple I can keep on hand, this no-fuss Gluten-Free Rice Flour recipe does the trick.

For tapas nights and Mediterranean-inspired spreads, I'll bounce between this punchy Basque Tuna with Tomato recipe, golden Patatas Bravas Air Fryer recipe, velvety Tirokafteri Greek Dip Sauce recipe, and a cool Burrata Salad with Tomato and Pesto recipe. And when the occasion calls for something a touch fancier, this elegant Italian Vitello Tonnato recipe is a favorite of mine to serve.

Hearty midday meals and slow, cozy suppers are where these shine: the warming Meatballs in Spanish Sauce recipe, time-honored Meatballs in Almond Sauce recipe, deeply savory Italian Bolognese Sauce recipe, and silky Chicken Croquettes in Thermomix recipe. Craving something even more substantial? I'll bake up this hearty Greek Pastitsio Pie recipe, a homey Potatoes and Squid Stew recipe, or the ultimate comfort plate, this French Boeuf Bourguignon recipe.

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And when I'm mixing drinks and planning a whole spread for company, dinner often gets paired with a cool Original Cuban Mojito recipe, a strong Long Island Iced Tea recipe, or a pitcher of this fruity Bleeding Spanish Sangria recipe. To tie the whole meal together, I like setting out this zesty French Remoulade Sauce recipe on the side, or finishing the table with this eye-catching Mediterranean Black Rice with Squid recipe.

Even More Tasty Recipes the Whole Family Will Enjoy

After years of cooking, testing, and tweaking in my own kitchen, I've come to believe the finest dishes are built on three things: simplicity, dependable technique, and serious flavor.

These are the recipes I find myself making over and over—whether it's a fast solo meal or a festive spread for loved ones.

On the sweet side, the rich, velvety Orange Chocolate Mousse Recipe is a go-to when I want something that feels fancy yet comes together easily. Another dessert I adore is the caramelized Trdelnik Slavic Pastry Recipe, modeled after the beloved Central European chimney cake. If baking is your thing, knowing how to make syrup for better dessert texture really helps, and my Inverted Sugar Recipe walks through exactly how I do it at home.

For something light and effortless, I'll typically make the traditional Italian Caprese Salad Recipe or a flawlessly cooked Simple Poached Egg Recipe. When I want a heartier comfort dish, I'm quick to suggest the filling Meatball Sandwich Recipe, the creamy Russian Stroganoff Beef Recipe, and the speedy weeknight winner, this One Pot Pasta Recipe.

I'm also a big fan of sharing dishes rooted in tradition from all over the world, like the genuine Sorropotún de Bonito Fish Stew Recipe, crisp Chilean Pumpkin Sopaipillas Recipe, and Spain's classic Cochifrito Segovian Fried Pig Recipe.

Air fryer cooking is another category I turn to often, since it delivers great texture without eating up time. My regular lineup includes the Air Fryer Pork Ribs Recipe, Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe, Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Baked Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Peppers Recipe, Air Fryer Mixed Sandwich Recipe, Air Fryer Toasted Bread Recipe, and Air Fryer Hard-Boiled Eggs Recipe.

And for those steering clear of wheat, my cozy Gluten-Free Lasagna Recipe shows that a classic baked pasta can still be indulgent, cheesy, and completely satisfying without any gluten.

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