Watermelon Cucumber Salad with Honey Lime Dressing (Easy Summer Salad)
This Watermelon Cucumber Salad with Honey Lime Dressing is crisp, refreshing, and packed with bright summer flavor, combining juicy watermelon, cool cucumber, salty feta cheese, and fresh mint in every bite. The honey lime dressing adds the perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavors, making this summer salad feel light, fresh, and incredibly satisfying.
It's the perfect refreshing side dish for hot summer days, summer barbecues, potlucks, or easy lunches when you want something simple that still feels special. With its mix of sweet watermelon, crisp cucumber, and salty feta, this watermelon cucumber salad is one of those elevated summer classics people always ask for again.
If you love recipes like our Pasta Salad with Fresh Dill or Watermelon Sangria, this salad has that same fresh, cooling summer feel.
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Ingredients
This watermelon salad recipe uses simple ingredients that come together into a bright and refreshing summer salad.
See the recipe card below for the exact quantities of each ingredient.
- Seedless Watermelon: Adds juicy sweetness and creates the refreshing base of the salad.
- Feta Cheese: Brings salty flavor and creamy texture that balances the sweetness of the watermelon.
- Red Onion: Adds a sharp bite and depth of flavor.
- Cucumber: Adds cool crunch and freshness throughout the salad.
- Fresh Mint Leaves: Brightens the salad and adds fresh herb flavor.
- Lime Juice (Freshly Squeezed): Adds tart lime flavor and balances the sweetness.
- Honey: Adds natural sweetness to the honey-lime dressing; maple syrup or agave nectar are great alternatives.
- Olive Oil: Helps bring the dressing together smoothly; choose whichever variety you prefer.
Grab yourself a large bowl and a whisk and you are good to go for this simple salad.
Variations
- Extra Crunch: Add toasted pistachios, pecans, sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds for texture.
- Cheese Swap: Replace feta cheese with goat cheese for a creamier flavor.
- Cucumber Options: Use English cucumbers or Persian cucumbers for fewer seeds and extra crunch.
- Fruit Addition: Add cantaloupe for a cantaloupe cucumber salad variation.
How to Make Watermelon Feta Salad
This watermelon feta salad comes together in just minutes.
Add all your dressing ingredients into a large serving bowl and whisk well to combine. Give it a little taste and add any additional salt or pepper.
To the bowl add the cubed watermelon, cucumber, sliced onion, and chopped mint. Mix well to combine, then add the feta and toss again gently.
Chill for 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to blend or serve immediately.
Hint: Choose ripe watermelon to get the sweetest and juiciest watermelon.
Recipe Tips
- Serve Cold: Crispy cold watermelon makes this salad extra refreshing on a hot day.
- Add Feta Last: Folding it in last helps keep it from breaking apart too much if you want it to maintain its square shape; but if you are using crumbled you can add it in with everything else.
- Avoid Excess Liquid: The longer the watermelon sits, the more water is releases, drain a little before serving.
For another refreshing summer favorite, our Watermelon Punch pairs perfectly with this salad.
More Sides
Storage Instructions
- Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 1 day; the longer it sits the more texture it will lose.
- Freezer: We do not suggest freezing this salad.
- Make Ahead: Prep the ingredients separately and combine just before serving for best results.
Serving Suggestions
- Summer Mains: BBQ Ribs, Pulled Pork Sliders, Grilled BBQ Chicken Thighs or Baked Chicken Thighs.
- More Fresh Sides: Pasta Salad with Fresh Dill, Keto Broccoli Salad, Cucumber Salad with Dill, Creamy Cucumber Salad, Red Potato Salad, Macaroni Salad.
Watermelon Cucumber Salad with Honey Lime Dressing Recipe FAQs
English cucumbers and Persian cucumbers work especially well because they stay crisp and have fewer seeds.
Yes, but for best results keep the ingredients separate and combine just before serving.
Serve it shortly after assembling and drain any excess liquid if needed before serving.
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Watermelon Cucumber Salad with Honey Lime Dressing
Equipment
- Large Mixing Bowl
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
Ingredients
DRESSING:
- 3 tablespoon lime juice freshly squeezed
- 2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 ½ tablespoon honey
- ¼ teaspoon salt or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper or to taste
SALAD:
- 2 lb watermelon seedless and cubed (about ½ small watermelon, weight after cutting)
- 200 g feta cheese cubed or crumbled
- ½ small red onion finely sliced
- 1 small cucumber diced (about 200 grams)
- ¼ cup fresh mint leaves finely sliced
Instructions
- Add all your dressing ingredients into a large serving bowl and whisk well to combine. Give it a little taste and add any additional salt or pepper.
- To the bowl add the cubed watermelon, cucumber, sliced onion, and chopped mint. Mix well to combine, then add the feta and toss again gently.
- Chill for 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to blend or serve immediately.
Notes
- Serve Cold: Crispy cold watermelon makes this salad extra refreshing on a hot day.
- Add Feta Last: Folding it in last helps keep it from breaking apart too much if you want it to maintain its square shape; but if you are using crumbled you can add it in with everything else.
- Avoid Excess Liquid: The longer the watermelon sits, the more water is releases, drain a little before serving.
- Ripe Watermelon: Aim for a ripe watermelon to get the sweetest and juiciest watermelon.
- Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 1 day; the longer it sits the more texture it will lose.
- Freezer: We do not suggest freezing this salad.
- Make Ahead: Prep the ingredients separately and combine just before serving for best results.
Nutrition
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