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Make this spicy watermelon jalapeño salad to serve with all your BBQ favorites. The ripe, pink wedges of sweet watermelon contrast beautifully with the lime dressing and salty feta cheese. This easy salad recipe is a cinch to make; you’ll have it on repeat all summer long. It’s full of fresh flavor, a must-have for any summer gathering, and a crowd-pleasing delight during the warmer months!
A spicy watermelon jalapeño salad with serious personality; think feta cheese, tajin and a sweet lime dressing with fresh herbs.
Are you into watermelon recipes right now? Here are some watermelon recipes you’ll want to try along with my watermelon cucumber salad, or this watermelon wine slushie.
Why You’ll Love It
Refreshing: Watermelon is ultra-hydrating, and its crisp structure makes up the bulk of this spicy watermelon salad. This salad is easy to eat because it is fresh, light, and healthy.
Easy to make: Less than 10 minutes is all it takes, and buying a pre-sliced watermelon is even easier.
Summertime meal: Perfect for potlucks and parties on a hot summer night.
Great for a gathering: You can easily double or triple the recipe for larger groups and serve it on one or more large platters.
Ingredients For Spicy Watermelon Salad
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Mini watermelon: Prep the melon by cutting it into wedges. If you find a heavy watermelon at the store, it’s probably ripe, juicy, and delicious. It’s up to you whether to choose seeded or seedless watermelon (sometimes the seedless ones can have a muted flavor).
Lime juice: If possible, use fresh lime juice rather than bottled in this spicy watermelon jalapeño salad for the best flavor. Lemon juice works well, too.
Honey: Use runny honey to easily mix into this watermelon salad.
Crumbled feta: Adds the most delicious salt contrast to the sweet melon.
Jalapeño: These are added and thinly sliced at the end as garnish.
Tajin: A sassy chili lime seasoning that goes well with the other ingredients.
How To Make Spicy Watermelon Salad
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Prepare the watermelon: Cut the watermelon into wedges and assemble the wedges on a large platter.
Make the dressing: Whisk together lime juice, olive oil, honey, and salt in a small mixing bowl.
Finish the salad: Spoon over the dressing over the watermelon and top with feta cheese, fresh cilantro, basil, jalapeño slices, and Tajin. Add a pinch of salt if you like. Serve immediately.
Substitutions and Variations
Fruit: Swap the watermelon for mango, cucumber, pineapple, avocado, and tomatoes in this salad.
Watermelon prep: You can also use cubed watermelon in this recipe.
Nuts: Try making it with chopped pistachios, almonds, walnuts, and pine nuts.
Herbs: If you don’t have fresh basil or cilantro, fresh mint leaves, parsley, and thyme are delicious in this salad.
Honey: Make it with maple syrup as an alternative.
Cheese alternative: Instead of feta cheese, try tart goat cheese, shaved parmesan, or mozzarella.
Serving Suggestions
Appetizer: This spicy watermelon jalapeno salad is best served as an appetizer or side dish to most of your favorite grilled summer recipes.
Main: This pairs well with Hawaiian BBQ chicken, shaved Brussels sprout slaw, cowboy beans, grilled fish, chicken kebabs, steak, and shrimp.
Dessert: Finish your meal with homemade nougat or a scoop of ice cream.
How To Store Watermelon Salad
Store: This salad is ideally served immediately but can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 days. It’s a good idea to store the salad and dressing separately.
Freeze: This salad is not suitable for freezing.
Top Tips
Serving sizes: The size of the watermelon you buy and how you cut it will determine the serving size. Cubes will serve more than wedges. If you need more than 5 servings, you could easily double this recipe.
In a hurry? Most grocery stores will sell pre-cut watermelon slices you can buy if you’re pressed for time and don’t want to cut up your own.
Serve right away: This is best served immediately after you pour the dressing on top. If you want to meal prep this recipe, you can slice the watermelon and make the dressing. Store them separately in the fridge until you’re ready to serve.
Spicy Watermelon Salad FAQs
Look for a watermelon that feels heavy for its size and has a deep, hollow sound when you tap it. The skin should be firm and free from bruises or soft spots.
Controlling the amount of jalapeño you use can adjust the spice level to your preference. Removing the seeds and membranes can also reduce the heat.
If you prefer a milder version, use fewer jalapeños or substitute them with a milder pepper like poblano. You can also remove the seeds and membranes from the jalapenos before slicing to reduce the heat.
For a cheesy flavor, you can leave out the cheese or use a vegan alternative, like vegan feta or nutritional yeast.
Spicy Watermelon Jalapeño Salad Recipe
Spicy Watermelon Jalapeño Salad
Ingredients
- 1 watermelon, small watermelon, cut into wedges
- 3 Tablespoons lime juice
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 2 Teaspoons honey
- ½ Teaspoon kosher salt, plus more for serving
- ¼ Cup feta, crumbled, for serving
- 3 Tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped, for serving
- 3 Tablespoons fresh basil, chopped, for serving
- 1 Jalapeño, thinly sliced, for serving
- 1 Teaspoon Tajin, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cut watermelon into wedges and assemble the wedges on a large platter.
- Whisk together lime juice, olive oil, honey, and salt in a small mixing bowl.
- Spoon dressing over the top of the watermelon and top with feta, cilantro, basil, jalapeno slices, and Tajin. Add a pinch of salt if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
This spicy watermelon salad is bright, bold, and delicious. The fresh watermelon is juicy and refreshing, and the other ingredients are fragrant and fresh. You will love the little kick from the jalapenos and the fragrant herbs. Serve it in a large bowl or platter with your favorite grilled meats and BBQ dishes.
Other Salad Recipes To Try
- Italian tuna white bean salad is a classic summer salad to whip up.
- Here’s a Tex-Mex zesty chicken pasta salad that is hearty and full of goodness.
- Try my Panzanella salad made with bread and tomato salad.
- This strawberry fields salad is a terrific spring or summer dinner salad.
- Try this bright and beautiful antipasto salad.
Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
