This watermelon cucumber salad with mint recipe is the perfect healthy side dish to enjoy on a hot day. Fresh herbs and zesty lime juice accent the juicy watermelon and cucumber. This refreshing vegetarian recipe is packed with fiber, nutrients, and, most importantly, flavor!
This watermelon cucumber salad with salad is a unique and refreshing recipe sure to impress your family and friends. Simple ingredients come together in a unique way to deliver a bright, zesty, and slightly sweet side dish.
This recipe is healthy and fresh, rich in vitamin C, vitamin K, fiber, and antioxidants like lycopene from the fruits. Enjoy the hydrating benefits of sweet watermelon and crisp cucumber on a warm day. The optional creamy tzatziki sauce elevates the recipe and also adds protein.
This salad would be the perfect side to bring to a barbecue or picnic or to enjoy as a refreshing side salad with any lunch or dinner.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy to make. Watermelon cucumber salad has complex flavors but comes together so quickly with minimal preparation!
- Nutrient-dense. This recipe is dense in fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants from the watermelon and cucumbers while also being low-calorie. The optional creamy version adds protein and calcium, too.
- Crowd-pleaser. A great option to bring to a BBQ, this recipe includes the well-liked ingredients cucumber and watermelon but with a unique twist.
How to Make a Watermelon Cucumber Salad
Key Ingredients
- Watermelon. The watermelon is what makes this recipe truly unique. Though watermelon is typically enjoyed in sweet dishes like other fruits, its mild, juicy flavor stands up well in a savory dish like this salad. Choose a seedless watermelon for ease of preparation. In addition to its high water content, watermelon is rich in beneficial nutrients like vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants.
- Cucumber. Light, refreshing cucumber complements the watermelon nicely in this dish. English cucumbers are a good choice for this recipe, while Persian cucumbers will provide an extra crunch. Cucumbers contain vitamin C, vitamin K, magnesium, and potassium. They’re also a great source of fiber and water, making them a nutritious choice all around.
- Fresh lime juice. The lime juice adds some acidity to brighten and balance the flavors of this recipe. Though freshly squeezed lime juice will provide the freshest flavor, store-bought lime juice will also work for this dish. You can even add some lime zest to boost the citrus flavor!
- Feta cheese. Crumbled feta cheese adds a creamy and salty flavor to the dish. It’s also a good source of calcium, protein, and B vitamins. You can use any type of feta cheese you prefer, though the flavor will vary slightly. Sheep’s milk feta will be more tangy, while cow’s milk feta is much more mild.
- Fresh mint. Finely sliced mint leaves pair incredibly well with watermelon to add a bright, herby aroma and flavor to the dish.
Step-by-Step Instructions
This recipe is simple to prepare, coming together in just a few minutes. Start by peeling and deseeding the cucumbers, then chop them into ⅓-inch slices. Cut the watermelon into 1-inch cubes.
Toss the cubed watermelon and sliced cucumber with the lime juice, chopped mint, crumbled feta cheese, and sea salt in a large salad bowl.
Creamy Option
To elevate this recipe and add some extra protein, try tossing it with a homemade tzatziki sauce. You’ll need an extra cucumber, more mint, plain Greek yogurt, and garlic.
Peel and finely dice the garlic. Peel and deseed the extra cucumber, and coarsely grate it. Mix together with the yogurt, and ⅓ cup of the mint, and season with salt to taste.
Toss the sauce with the prepared salad, and enjoy!
Recipe Tips and Variations
- Feta cheese substitutions. If you don’t have feta cheese or want a less salty alternative, goat cheese pairs nicely with this recipe. Simply crumble and use it as a one-to-one substitution. To make this salad vegan, use vegan feta cheese instead of the feta. If you’re making the creamy version of this recipe, you can use plain vegan yogurt.
- Experiment with other herbs. Mint isn’t the only herb that works well for this recipe. Keep it interesting by trying other herbs, like fresh basil or dill. Stick with fresh herbs instead of dried for the best flavor.
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover watermelon salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To maximize freshness, leave off the creamy tzatziki dressing until you serve the leftovers.
This dish would not freeze well– the high water content of the watermelon and cucumber would make the defrosted dish too watery.
Try These Other Watermelon Recipes
Enjoy this recipe? Try our other favorite recipes to learn more unique ways to prepare watermelon and cucumber.
- Spicy Cucumber Salad– Delicious side dish with a spicy sesame dressing.
- Watermelon Basil Cooler– Healthy and fresh nonalcoholic beverage.
- Cucumber Sorbet– Simple and fresh dairy-free dessert.
Watermelon Cucumber Salad
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp. cucumbers peeled, deseeded, and cut into 1/3-inch slices
- 6 cups watermelon rind removed and cut into 1-inch chunks
- 6 ounces feta cheese crumbled
- ⅓ cup fresh mint chopped
- 2 tbsp. lime juice fresh
- sea salt to taste
Creamy Dressing (optional)
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 ½ cups plain Greek yogurt
- 1 cucumber peeled, deseeded, and grated coarsely
- ⅓ cup fresh mint chopped
- sea salt to taste
Instructions
- Peel two cucumbers and halve lengthwise. Cut into 1/3-inch-thick slices.
- Toss sliced cucumber with cubed watermelon, 1/3 cup mint, and lime juice in a large bowl.
- If not using the creamy dressing variation, season with sea salt to taste.
Creamy Dressing (optional)
- Finely mince garlic to a paste and transfer to a bowl.
- Peel 1 cucumber, then halve lengthwise and seed. Coarsely grate into the bowl with the garlic. Stir in yogurt, 1/3 cup mint, and 3/4 teaspoon salt to make the tzatziki.
- Toss the salad with the creamy tzatziki sauce. Sprinkle with sea salt to taste.
