This Watermelon Salad is your perfect slice of summertime: juicy, sweet watermelon mingles with crisp cucumber, salty feta, and mint, all tossed in a zippy lime-olive oil dressing. Every bite is a refreshing burst of color and flavor—an instant mood-lifter, best enjoyed with friends and sunshine.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ultimate Refresher: Watermelon Salad is cool, crisp, and hydrating—the antidote to hot days and heavy meals.
- Sweet, Savory, and Tangy: The combo of ripe watermelon, salty feta, and tangy lime is a flavor mashup that never gets old.
- A Feast for the Eyes: The bold colors and beautiful textures turn every bowl into a mosaic of summer—almost too pretty to eat (almost!).
- Ready in Minutes: Minimal prep, a handful of ingredients, and you’re on your way to dinner party hero status.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Watermelon Salad is how just a handful of simple, vibrant ingredients work together to create something truly irresistible. Every component earns its place—each adds a layer of flavor, texture, or color that makes the salad truly dazzle.
- Seedless Watermelon (4 cups, cubed): Choose the ripest, juiciest watermelon you can—its sweetness is the juicy backbone of this salad.
- Seedless English Cucumber (1½ cups, cubed): Crisp, refreshing, and never bitter, this cucumber adds crunch and balances the watermelon’s sweetness beautifully.
- Fresh Mint Leaves (⅓ cup, chopped or torn): Mint delivers a cool, fragrant pop that makes every bite taste extra summery.
- Feta Cheese (½ cup, crumbled): Tangy, creamy feta brings contrast and richness that ties the flavors together.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil (3 tablespoons): The good stuff! It’s fruity and luscious, rounding out the dressing perfectly.
- Fresh Lime Juice (1½ tablespoons): Adds bright acidity and lifts all the flavors in the mix.
Variations
The magic of Watermelon Salad is how ripe it is for customizing. Whether you’re catering to dietary preferences, ingredient swaps, or just want to put your own spin on it, this salad welcomes fun tweaks with open arms!
- Vegan Version: Swap feta for your favorite plant-based cheese, or sprinkle in a handful of toasted almonds for creaminess and crunch.
- Add a Kick: Toss in thinly sliced jalapeño for a gentle heat or a pinch of red pepper flakes for a subtle bite.
- Herb Lovers: Combine fresh basil with mint for an extra fragrant and complex flavor profile.
- Change Up the Cheese: Try goat cheese or ricotta salata for a different sort of creamy tang.
- Citrus Swap: Lemon juice can sub in for lime if you prefer a slightly different medley of zesty notes.
How to Make Watermelon Salad
Step 1: Whisk the Dressing
Start by combining the extra virgin olive oil and fresh lime juice in a small bowl. Give it a good whisk until everything is silky and blended. Set this aside—the bright, simple dressing will shine without overpowering the watermelon salad’s natural flavors.
Step 2: Prepare the Salad Base
In a large mixing bowl, add your cubed watermelon, diced cucumber, and freshly torn mint leaves. To make the most of each ingredient, be gentle when combining—you want the cubes to stay plump and the mint to remain fragrant.
Step 3: Toss with Dressing
Drizzle the lime-olive oil dressing all over the salad. Gently toss, using your hands or a wide spatula, to coat the watermelon and cucumber evenly. Be light-handed—too much mixing will draw out excess juice and make things watery.
Step 4: Finish and Serve
Scoop the salad onto a serving platter or individual bowls, then sprinkle the crumbled feta cheese over the top. Serve your Watermelon Salad immediately while everything is cold and bursting with flavor—trust me, it’s at its best when enjoyed fresh!
Pro Tips for Making Watermelon Salad
- Choose the Sweetest Watermelon: For the juiciest flavor, select a watermelon that feels heavy for its size and has a creamy yellow spot on the rind—both are signs of peak ripeness.
- Pat Everything Dry: After dicing, lightly pat the watermelon and cucumber with paper towels; this keeps your salad bright and prevents it from turning watery.
- Last-Minute Assembly: Toss the salad and add feta right before serving to keep everything crisp and the cheese from dissolving into the juices.
- Tear, Don’t Chop, the Mint: Tearing mint leaves by hand releases more fragrance and avoids bruised, brown edges.
How to Serve Watermelon Salad
Garnishes
A little flourish goes a long way: a scattering of finely sliced mint on top brightens the look, while a few curls of lemon or lime zest add a sparkly finish. For an extra pop, a pinch of flaky sea salt will make the watermelon’s sweetness sing.
Side Dishes
This Watermelon Salad is right at home alongside grilled proteins—think chicken skewers, salmon, or even lamb chops. It’s also a knockout partner to grain-based salads, flatbreads, or a spread of mezze.
Creative Ways to Present
For a show-stopping centerpiece, serve your Watermelon Salad in a hollowed-out watermelon shell, or pack individual portions in mason jars for picnics. Skewer cubes of watermelon, cucumber, and feta for a playful appetizer twist!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Watermelon Salad in an airtight container in the fridge. It’s best enjoyed within a day—after that, the fruit releases more juice and the salad can get a bit soggy, though the flavor will still be delicious.
Freezing
Freezing isn’t recommended for this recipe. Watermelon and cucumber don’t hold up to freezing well; they turn mushy once thawed, losing all that addictive fresh crunch!
Reheating
There’s no need to reheat—Watermelon Salad is meant to be served cold. If it’s been in the fridge, give it a gentle toss and let it sit at room temperature for 10 minutes to take off the chill and bring out the flavors.
FAQs
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Can I make Watermelon Salad ahead of time?
You can prep all the components a few hours in advance—keep the dressing, feta, and herbs separate, and toss everything together just before serving to maintain that signature crispness and freshness.
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What type of watermelon is best?
Seedless watermelon is hands-down the easiest and least messy choice! Look for one that’s heavy, uniform in shape, and has a creamy, yellow ground spot for optimal sweetness and juiciness.
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Can I substitute another cheese for feta?
Absolutely! Try crumbled goat cheese for extra creaminess, ricotta salata for a firmer bite, or a dairy-free alternative if you need the recipe to be vegan.
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How do I keep the salad from becoming watery?
The secret is to toss the salad right before serving and gently pat the watermelon and cucumber dry before assembling. This keeps the textures perky and the salad vibrant rather than waterlogged!
Final Thoughts
If you ask me, every summer gathering is just begging for a big bowl of Watermelon Salad—it’s easy, gorgeous, and always the first thing to disappear! Give it a try, and prepare for everyone to ask you for the recipe. Happy crunching!
Print
Watermelon Salad Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: International
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Refreshing and simple, this Watermelon Salad is a delightful blend of sweet and savory flavors that is perfect for a light and healthy meal or as a side dish for any summer gathering.
Ingredients
Dressing
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
Salad
- 4 cups cubed seedless watermelon
- 1 1/2 cups (1 medium) cubed seedless English cucumber
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/3 cup chopped or torn fresh mint leaves
Instructions
- Mix the Dressing: In a small bowl, combine the olive oil and lime juice. Set aside.
- Prepare the Salad: In a large bowl, combine the watermelon, cucumber, and mint leaves.
- Add Dressing: Drizzle the prepared dressing over the salad and gently toss to combine.
- Finish and Serve: Sprinkle the feta cheese over the salad and serve immediately.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 190 kcal
- Sugar: 16g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
