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Brightly colored and beautiful, this watermelon feta cucumber salad is a refreshing side dish. It’s a Greek-inspired watermelon salad combining sweet, savory and tangy flavors in every mouthful. The salad itself only calls for 4 ingredients while the dressing only requires 3, making it a quick and easy side dish for anyone to rustle up in just a few minutes. You will love this summer BBQ recipe!
Watermelon feta cucumber salad is a classic summer BBQ recipe which pairs with any protein. Try this watermelon salad with anything from burgers and hot dogs to steaks, smoked lamb, or anything else you want to grill. It looks pretty and tastes even better.
Also try melon prosciutto salad or watermelon jalapeno salad, or treat yourself to watermelon wine slushie or watermelon jalapeno margarita!
Watermelon Salad Ingredients
Along with the watermelon itself, you will need mini cucumbers, feta cheese, and fresh mint. The Greek-inspired dressing pairs lemon juice and zest with honey. It’s a very light salad which is perfect for the hotter months when you really don’t fancy anything hot, heavy or greasy.
This salad can be enjoyed as it is, or served as an appetizer or side dish. It’s versatile enough to bring to a picnic, potluck or gathering too.
As you can see, there are plenty of different textures and flavors in the mix despite the recipe not needing many ingredients. The sweetness of the watermelon, the savoury taste of the cucumber, and the creamy, tangy feta cheese, are accented with fresh mint. You will love how the salty cheese contrasts with the sweet watermelon – it’s such a great pairing!
The dressing teams the tartness of lemon with the sweetness of honey. This is a great example of a summer BBQ recipe combining a variety of bold flavors for a wonderfully balanced result. And it’s so easy anyone can throw it together!
You can make changes to the recipe if you want. Use maple syrup or agave syrup in place of the honey, or use basil instead of mint. Mini mozzarella balls work if you prefer the creamy, neutral flavor of those over the crumbly texture and sour tang of feta.
Other cheeses which would work are halloumi, cotija, queso fresca, or panela, each of which has a salty taste and firm texture like feta. You can also sub lime for the lemon juice and zest if you prefer.
Also, even though watermelon is one of the main components of the dish, feel free to use cantaloupe, honeydew or another variety if you prefer, or even mix and match more than one kind of melon for a unique result. Making it with berries, similar to this strawberry feta salad would be delicious, too.
How to Make this Refreshing Side Dish
Once you have gathered all your ingredients for this watermelon feta cucumber salad prepped, it’s time to make it. Chop the watermelon, cucumbers, and mint, and crumble the feta cheese. The easiest way to cut the watermelon is to cut it into 1-inch lengths and then cut these into cubes. You can choose from seed-in or seedless watermelon, but the seedless kind tends to have a bit less flavour.
Whisk the lemon juice and zest with the honey. Now toss the salad gently in the dressing and either chill it for an hour or so or serve right away.
How to Store this Tasty Summer BBQ Recipe
This refreshing side dish is best enjoyed within a few hours although this watermelon cucumber feta salad will keep for up to 2 days in the refrigerator. Keep it in an airtight container with the lid on or in Ziploc bags with the excess air squeezed out.
Watermelon Feta Cucumber Salad FAQs
Since it’s so ideal for a summer BBQ recipe, you might like to serve this Greek-inspired salad with some chicken quarters fresh off the grill. It’s also nice by itself as a light lunch. You could serve it on a bed of salad leaves and perhaps have some shrimp or chicken on the side. It is a great side for virtually any chicken dish such as these Instant Pot chicken fajitas.
You can make this vegan-friendly by using Violife Just like Feta cheese if you can find it. If not, see what vegan cheese alternatives your grocery store has.
Watermelon Feta Cucumber Salad Recipe
Watermelon Feta Cucumber Salad
Ingredients
- ½ watermelon, diced into 1” cubes, approximately 6 cups
- 2 Cups cucumbers, mini, thinly sliced
- 1 Cup feta cheese, crumbled
- ¼ Cup mint, fresh, finely chopped
Honey Lemon Dressing:
- 2 lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- 1 Teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 Tablespoon honey
Instructions
- Whisk together lemon juice, lemon zest and honey in a small bowl.
- Add watermelon, cucumber, feta and mint to a large mixing bowl. Pour dressing over the salad and toss gently. Serve immediately or chill for 1 to 2 hours in the fridge before serving.
Nutrition
The fresh appeal of cucumber watermelon feta salad is what keeps me making this wonderfully refreshing watermelon side dish over and over. The sweet watermelon, tangy feta cheese, and sweet lemon dressing work so harmoniously together and it’s a very refreshing side dish for the warmer months. Watermelon with feta and cucumber is just such a magical combination!
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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.
This watermelon salad is incredibly refreshing! The blend of crunchy textures paired with the tangy honey lemon dressing is simply irresistible.
So refreshing, so delicious! Must-try!!
Such a superb combo! The watermelon and cucumber together is magic.
This is the perfect summer salad in both color and flavor
This watermelon salad is so sweet and delicious! I love the crunchy elements together with the honey lemon dressing.
Perfect salad to cool off on a hot day
Ok I really need to try this! I think I’d like the combo of melon and feta.
Yum! I love watermelon. Making this tomorrow!