If you’re looking for a dish that tastes like pure summer, you’ve found it: Watermelon Salad. This recipe is sweet, salty, citrusy, and delightfully refreshing, capturing everything wonderful about sunshine and outdoor gathering in a single vibrant bowl.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Summer in a Bowl: Every crunchy, juicy bite delivers sweet refreshment and an instant vacation-state-of-mind—even if you’re eating indoors!
- Ridiculously Quick: With just a few minutes of prep and almost zero cooking, you can have a show-stopping side ready in 15 minutes or less.
- Surprising Flavor Combo: The pairing of salty feta with watermelon’s natural sweetness and zippy mint is absolutely crave-worthy.
- Perfect for Gatherings: This Watermelon Salad brings smiles and splashy color to every BBQ, picnic, or potluck table.
Ingredients You’ll Need
One of the best things about Watermelon Salad is that it relies on a handful of ultra-fresh, vibrant ingredients. Each one plays a starring role—add them together, and you get gorgeous color, irresistible flavor, and that quintessential summer crunch!
- Watermelon (cubed, seedless): Go for a deep-red, ripe watermelon for the sweetest flavor—cut into big juicy chunks for maximum refreshment.
- English cucumber (cubed, seedless): Adds a cool, crisp texture that balances the watermelon and keeps the salad extra hydrating.
- Fresh mint leaves (chopped or torn): Infuses every bite with an aromatic, summery lift and a pretty burst of green.
- Feta cheese (crumbled): Creamy and just salty enough, feta offers the perfect contrast to watermelon’s sweetness—don’t skip it!
- Extra virgin olive oil: Use your best for this simple salad; it creates a luscious, glossy dressing with just two ingredients.
- Fresh lime juice: Adds essential brightness that ties all the flavors together—lime is non-negotiable for that zesty finish.
Variations
This Watermelon Salad is endlessly customizable! Don’t be afraid to use what you have on hand or get creative with extra mix-ins—there are so many ways to personalize this bright summer staple and make it your own.
- Add Avocado: Creamy, ripe avocado chunks make the salad even more satisfying and complement the salty feta beautifully.
- Herb Switch-Up: Try fresh basil or cilantro instead of (or alongside) mint for a different aromatic spin.
- Kick Up the Heat: Scatter in a little thinly sliced jalapeño or a pinch of chili flakes for a subtle heat.
- Swap the Cheese: Crumbled goat cheese or queso fresco both work well if you prefer a different flavor profile.
How to Make Watermelon Salad
Step 1: Whisk the Dressing
Start by whisking together the extra virgin olive oil and freshly squeezed lime juice in a small mixing bowl. This two-ingredient dressing comes together in seconds but brings so much zesty flavor—don’t forget to give it a quick taste and adjust the lime if you like it extra tangy!
Step 2: Combine the Fresh Ingredients
In a big salad bowl, add your cubed watermelon, crisp English cucumber, and plenty of torn or chopped mint leaves. Gently toss everything with your hands or a large spoon to evenly distribute the mint throughout the salad for maximum flavor in every bite.
Step 3: Dress and Toss Gently
Drizzle the olive oil and lime dressing all over the salad, then gently toss to coat the watermelon and cucumber. Go easy here—watermelon is delicate and can get mushy if overmixed. Aim to just barely coat everything so the salad stays bright and crisp.
Step 4: Top with Feta and Serve
Finish by scattering the crumbled feta cheese over the top—this keeps it from dissolving into the juices. Serve your Watermelon Salad immediately for the freshest, most vibrant flavor (though no one will blame you for sneaking a bite while prepping!).
Pro Tips for Making Watermelon Salad
- Choose Your Watermelon Wisely: Pick a watermelon that feels heavy for its size and has a yellow “field spot”—these cues tell you it’s juicy and sweet inside.
- Cube Uniformly for the Best Texture: Cut your watermelon and cucumber into evenly sized cubes so every forkful has that satisfying blend of sweet, crisp, and creamy.
- Don’t Dress Too Early: Toss everything with the dressing just before serving to avoid excess juices watering down the salad.
- Crumbled Feta on Top: Always add the feta last—it preserves those gorgeous creamy crumbles instead of blending into the juices.
How to Serve Watermelon Salad
Garnishes
Watermelon Salad looks beautiful all on its own, but if you want to go the extra mile, a little extra fresh mint or a light zesting of lime over the top makes it feel extra festive. A sprinkle of cracked black pepper is also lovely for a savory pop.
Side Dishes
This salad is a summer side dish superstar! Pair it with grilled chicken, smokey BBQ, or a big platter of roasted vegetables. It also brightens up simple grain bowls, or sits perfectly next to a stack of crunchy crostini.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving Watermelon Salad in a hollowed-out watermelon half for a party-worthy centerpiece, or pile it into individual jars or cups for easy, portable portions at a picnic. Even skewer cubes of all the ingredients for a playful twist on the classic salad!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover Watermelon Salad in an airtight container in the fridge. It’s best enjoyed within one day—after that, the fruit will release more liquid and become less crisp, but the flavors will still be delicious.
Freezing
Unfortunately, Watermelon Salad isn’t freezer-friendly. The watermelon and cucumber turn mushy after thawing, losing their signature fresh crunch. For best texture and flavor, enjoy this salad right away!
Reheating
No reheating needed here! Watermelon Salad is meant to be enjoyed chilled, straight from the refrigerator—just give it a quick toss before serving to redistribute the dressing and feta.
FAQs
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Can I prepare Watermelon Salad ahead of time?
You can cube the watermelon, cucumber, and chop the mint a few hours ahead—just store them separately and combine them with the dressing and feta right before serving for the freshest results.
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What if I don’t like feta cheese?
No worries! Try substituting with crumbled goat cheese, queso fresco, or simply leave the cheese out—the salad will still taste light and refreshing.
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Is there a way to make Watermelon Salad vegan?
Absolutely! Just omit the feta or use your favorite plant-based feta alternative. The rest of the ingredients are naturally vegan and just as flavorful.
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How can I keep the salad from getting watery?
Wait to combine the dressing and feta until just before serving. If your watermelon is especially juicy, you can gently drain off excess liquid before tossing everything together.
Final Thoughts
I hope you’ll give this Watermelon Salad a try—it’s the taste of summer in every single bite! Bring it to your next cookout or whip it up just for yourself, and savor how something so simple can feel so special and completely joyful.
Print
Watermelon Salad Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Tossing
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This refreshing and vibrant Watermelon Salad is a perfect summer side dish or light meal. The combination of sweet watermelon, crisp cucumber, tangy feta cheese, and fresh mint, all tossed in a zesty lime dressing, creates a delightful explosion of flavors.
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
- Dressing: In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the olive oil and lime juice. Set it aside.
- Salad: Using a large mixing bowl, add in the cubed watermelon, cubed English cucumber, and mint leaves.
- Drizzle the dressing over the salad. Carefully toss the dressing and salad together. (Do this as gently as possible, the watermelon and cucumber will release a lot of juice.)
- Sprinkle the feta cheese over the top of the salad and serve immediately.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 210 kcal
- Sugar: 16g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
