Watermelon and Cucumber Salad
If you’re looking for the ultimate refreshing dish to beat the heat, this watermelon and cucumber salad with feta and mint is it. With juicy fruit, creamy avocado, and tangy pickled onions, this vibrant salad is the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and zesty.
We make this salad on repeat every summer. It comes together quickly and always impresses guests. Plus, it looks absolutely gorgeous on the table! Full of bright reds, greens, and whites all in one bowl. We love the contrast of textures too: crisp cucumber, tender watermelon, and creamy avocado.
If you’re into refreshing salads, check out our Radish Cucumber Salad, Cabbage Green Goddess Salad, or Green Pea Salad. They all bring something unique to the table and pair beautifully with BBQ or light mains.
Table of contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Super refreshing: Perfect for hot days when you want something cool and hydrating.
- Quick to make: No cooking required and ready in under 20 minutes.
- Beautiful presentation: Makes a stunning side dish for picnics or dinner parties.
- Flavor-packed: Sweet, salty, tangy, and creamy, all in one bite!
Ingredients
We’ve made this list to help you save time on your next trip to the grocery store. You can find the full amounts needed in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
The star of this salad is, of course, the watermelon—juicy and sweet. It pairs perfectly with cool cucumber and bright strawberries. Creamy avocado adds richness, while feta brings that salty bite. Fresh mint ties everything together, and the quick pickled red onions add an irresistible tang. The dressing is a simple combo of honey, lime juice, olive oil, and a touch of salt.
Variations
- Add protein: Toss in grilled shrimp or shredded rotisserie chicken to make it a light main dish.
- Try a different cheese: Goat cheese or mozzarella pearls also work beautifully.
- Make it vegan: Skip the cheese or use a plant-based feta.
- Switch up the fruit: Swap strawberries for blueberries or peaches.
Instructions
This is a quick overview of the steps needed to make this recipe. You can find the full instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Pickle the red onions with vinegar, sugar, and salt; let sit for 10-15 minutes.
- Whisk together honey, lime juice, olive oil, and a pinch of salt to make the dressing.
- In a large bowl, combine watermelon, cucumber, strawberries, avocado, feta, and chopped mint.
- Add drained pickled onions and drizzle dressing over the salad. Gently toss and serve immediately or chill for 15 minutes.
Expert Tips
- Let the pickled onions sit at least 15 minutes to mellow out the flavor.
- Use a ripe avocado, but not too soft, so it holds its shape.
- Cube the watermelon and cucumber evenly for better texture.
- Chill all the ingredients before assembling for an extra refreshing salad.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have questions about this recipe? Here are the answers to the most commonly asked questions.
It’s best fresh, but you can prep ingredients separately and assemble just before serving.
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. The avocado may brown slightly, but it’ll still taste great.
Fresh is best, but bottled works in a pinch!
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📖Recipe
Want to make this recipe? Print the recipe card below, or pin this recipe, so you can find it later.
Watermelon and Cucumber Salad
Equipment
- small bowl
- Whisk
- large bowl
Ingredients
Dressing
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1-2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- Pinch salt
Pickled Onions
- ¼ red onion thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- Pinch salt
Salad
- ½ seedless watermelon cubed
- 1 English cucumber cubed (about 2 cups)
- ½ cup strawberries quartered
- 1 ripe avocado cubed
- ½ cup cubed feta cheese or more to taste
- 10-15 fresh mint leaves chopped
- Pickled red onions drained
Instructions
- In a small bowl or measuring cup, whisk together the honey, lime juice, olive oil, and pinch of salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine the watermelon, cucumber, strawberries, avocado, feta, and mint.
- Add the pickled onions (drain first), and drizzle the dressing over the top.
- Gently toss everything together, being careful not to mash the avocado.
- Serve immediately, or chill for 15 minutes for even more flavor.
Notes
Disclaimer
Any nutritional data I provide is an approximation and actual dietary information can vary based on ingredients and proportion sizes.
I love the bright, sweet flavor of the watermelon with the coolness of the cucumber and the bite of the onion. So good!
This is the perfect summer salad! I love the sweet and savory combo, and the bite of the onion really makes it pop.