If you are looking for more cucumber recipes, be sure to also check out our Greek Yogurt Cucumber Salad, Cucumber Mozzarella Salad, Tomato Cucumber Greek Salad, and Watermelon Cucumber Smoothie.
Ingredients
This summer watermelon salad with feta and cucumber starts off with an easy honey-lime dressing and a short list of ingredients. Here’s a look at what we need:
Olive oil: We recommend using a brand of extra virgin olive oil that you like. Lime juice: Freshly squeezed lime juice works best for this watermelon salad dressing, but you can use bottled juice in a pinch. The flavors would be slightly different, but freshly squeezed lemon juice can also be used when making the dressing. Kosher salt Honey A small watermelon: Seedless watermelon is preferable for this watermelon cucumber mint salad. However, if a regular watermelon is all that is available, pick out the watermelon seeds as you go. Cucumbers: Persian cucumbers have a great crunch, but regular cucumbers or English cucumbers can be substituted. It is optional, but you can remove the seeds if you like. Herbs: A handful of fresh mint leaves is all you need. However, fresh basil would be a great substitute. Feta cheese: Crumble a whole block of feta cheese rather than buying pre-crumbled feta.
How to Make Watermelon Salad with Cucumber?
This watermelon and cucumber salad recipe comes together in 15 minutes, start-to-finish! Here’s how to do it in just a few easy steps:
Dressing: Whenever I want to switch it up, I use Lemon Balsamic Dressing in place of the honey-lime dressing. Watermelon cucumber salad with balsamic vinaigrette is just as delicious and tangy. Alternatively, you can also use balsamic reduction as a drizzle at the end right before serving. Cheese: Prefer a watermelon salad without feta cheese? Omit the feta completely for a light, refreshing salad full of fresh summer produce. Or substitute it for goat cheese or even queso fresco. Without mint: If you prefer your watermelon salad with mint, you can double up on the basil and omit the mint entirely. Onion: Add a savory bite with sliced fresh red onions, Pickled Red Onions, or Roasted Red Onions. Or, you can add in a handful of chopped scallions. Vegan: Make it vegan by omitting the cheese, or try your hand at vegan feta. Also, make sure to swap out the honey for maple syrup instead.
How to Make Ahead and Store?
If you are planning to make this watermelon cucumber feta salad recipe ahead of time, here are my best tips:
Make Ahead: Cut the watermelon, slice the cucumbers, crumble the feta, and make the dressing. Store each component in separate containers with a tight-fitting lid. Assemble the watermelon salad right before serving. Storage: Leftover watermelon cucumber salad will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. However, be aware that the watermelon mixture will collect water as it sits. Simply drain, sprinkle salad with fresh herbs, and mix with a touch more dressing to bring it back to life before serving.
What to Serve with Watermelon Salad?
There are so many options when it comes to serving this watermelon salad with feta and mint. While I usually make it for lunch and serve it by itself, you can easily pair it with meats and vegetables for your summer meals. Some of my favorite ways to serve include:
Grilled Protein: Enjoy it as a light lunch or dinner, and serve it as a side dish to hearty grilled meat and seafood like Grilled Pork Chops, Shrimp Kebobs, Grilled Shrimp, Grilled Mahi Mahi, Shish Tawook, or Greek Yogurt Chicken. Vegetarian Dinners: Keep the entire meal plant-forward and serve it as a wonderful addition to vegetarian main meals like Vegetarian Stuffed Eggplant, Baked Eggplant Ziti or Lemon Ricotta Pasta. Picnic & Potluck Dishes: Make it a show-stopping accompaniment at BBQs and potlucks, alongside my No Mayo Coleslaw or Greek Yogurt Coleslaw, Caper Potato Salad, or Peach Salsa. With cooked grains: Turn it into a filling lunch by adding a cup (or two) of cooked bulgur, quinoa, or even wild rice.
Other Savory Fruit Salads You Might Also Like:
Blueberry Salad Apple Salad Strawberry Salad with Poppyseed Dressing Mango and Avocado Salad Peach and Avocado Salad
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Choose a good watermelon: Look for a ripe watermelon that is heavy for its size with a large yellow spot on one side (this is the field spot that indicates ripeness). Properly cut watermelon and cucumber: Dice watermelon into bite-sized pieces, or use a melon baller if you want to make it look pretty. For the cucumber, peeling is optional, but I recommend cutting it into thin slices or equal size cubes. Do not skip on salt: Although adding salt to sweet watermelon may sound strange, do not skip this step. The salt brings out the natural sweetness and freshness of the watermelon and cucumber. Serve it chilled: This salad is best eaten cold. I like to keep the watermelon, cucumber, and feta in the refrigerator before and after prepping. This way, all components of this recipe are cold (and super refreshing) just before serving. Assemble at the last minute: Combine watermelon, cucumber, and mint with the dressing just before serving. This keeps the integrity and texture of the watermelon and cucumber intact. Be gentle when mixing: Use gentle hands when mixing to keep the shape and structure of the delicate ingredients.
