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A bowl of the watermelon cucumber salad, sitting one a countertop with a pair of chopsticks sitting inside of the bowl
  • Dairy Free
  • Gluten Free
  • Grain Free
  • Paleo Friendly
  • Refined Sugar Free
  • Vegan

5 from 5 votes
Home | Recipe | Salads

The Ultimate Watermelon Cucumber Salad

Protein 5g
Carbs 20g
Fats 17g
Your new favorite way to eat watermelon has arrived. This is THEĀ Ultimate Watermelon Cucumber Salad, and it's everything that you could have dreamed of and more. It's full of juicy summer watermelon, crunchy Persian cucumbers, tangy feta cheese, and chopped pistachios for a delightfully nutty twist. And, it's topped with a thick, zesty dressing that truly makes this salad taste like summer. I make this salad every summertime for my family, and now your family can enjoy it too!

Recipe by:

Nicole Modic

June 30, 2023
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    Your new favorite way to eat watermelon has arrived. This is THE Ultimate Watermelon Cucumber Salad, and it’s everything that you could have dreamed of and more. It’s full of juicy summer watermelon, crunchy Persian cucumbers, tangy feta cheese, and chopped pistachios for a delightfully nutty twist. And, it’s topped with a thick, zesty dressing that truly makes this salad taste like summer. I make this salad every summertime for my family, and now your family can enjoy it too!

    A bowl of the watermelon cucumber salad, sitting one a countertop with a pair of serving utensils sitting inside of the bowl

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    Friends, of all of the different summertime ingredients that we have to work with, one of my all-time favorites is watermelon. They’re fresh, they’re juicy, they’re hydrating, and there are so many different ways to enjoy them! From my favorite watermelon sticks to my watermelon frosĆ©, there is truly no wrong way to prepare watermelon. But when it comes to the BEST preparation? It has to be this salad!

    This salad is one that I’ve been making for my family for years, and I’m so excited to finally share it with YOU. It’s bright and refreshing thanks to the mint and red onion, slightly spicy thanks to the jalapeƱo, and perfectly tangy and crunchy thanks to the cucumber, pistachios, and feta cheese. It’s the perfect combination of textures and flavors, and even my boys love eating it!

    Even though summer has barely started, I’ve already made this salad a handful of times, and it’s one that I can’t wait to take with me to all of my summer hangouts. Whether that’s to a classic summer BBQ or a picnic in San Francisco with my boys, this salad is a staple recipe during the summertime and is perfect when served as a side dish, or as a main course!

    All of the ingredients needed to make this watermelon cucumber salad, laid out on a countertop
    To make this salad, you will need watermelon, persian cucumbers, red onion, mint, japaleno, feta cheese, and pistachios.
    All of the ingredients needed to make this watermelon cucumber salad, laid out in a bowl
    Start by chopping all of your fruits, veggies, and herbs, and add them to a large bowl.

    What You Need to Make This Ultimate Summer Salad

    • Watermelon: Of course, you will need the perfect watermelon in order to make this salad!
    • Persian Cucumbers: I love using Persian cucumbers for this salad, because they are small, crunchy, and delicious. However, traditional English cucumbers also work well for this recipe- just be sure to dice them small.
    • Red Onion: Red onions are tangy and full of flavor! If you really want to take this salad to the next level, you could also opt for pickled red onions here.
    • Mint: Fresh mint adds brightness and flavor that tastes so good with the watermelon! Don’t skip this and I also don’t recommend opting for dried. Fresh is truly the best here.
    • JalapeƱo: The jalapeƱo adds just enough of a kick to add a deeper flavor to this salad, but not enough that it becomes overly spicy. However if you do want a spicier salad, you can always add more in!
    A jar, filled with the dressing for this watermelon cucumber salad, with a spoon sitting inside of the jar
    Next, add all of the dressing ingredients to a small jar and whisk until fully combined.
    • Feta Cheese: Feta cheese is salty, tangy, and perfectly compliments the sweetness of the watermelon.
    • Pistachios: If you love crunchy toppings in salads (like I do), then you will love the addition of pistachios in this recipe! They add a dose of healthy fats, as well as provides that much-needed crunch (which is essential, if you ask me ☻.)
    • Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Olive oil is my favorite ingredient to use to make salad dressings. It’s full of healthy fats and adds a delicious flavor that other oils just can’t replicate.
    • Honey or Maple Syrup: You can use either honey or maple syrup in order to add sweetness to this dressing! Both work equally as well, and make the dressing sweet without adding in refined sugars.
    • Lime & Lemon: You will need both the zest and the juice of one lemon and one lime in order to make this recipe.
    • Sea Salt: A pinch of sea salt adds the perfect flavor to the dressing!
    A bowl of the watermelon cucumber salad, with the dressing actively being poured on top of it
    Finally, pour your dressing on top of the salad and then toss until it’s fully combined.
    Two plates of the watermelon cucumber salad, laid out on a table with a large bowl of the salad and drinks laid out
    Once done, serve your salad and enjoy!

    Five Easy Steps to Making This Salad

    To make this salad, start by washing and chopping your watermelon and Persian cucumbers and add them to a large bowl. Next, add in the rest of your salad ingredients and set the bowl to the side.

    Then, in a separate small bowl, whisk together all of the dressing ingredients until fully combined. The dressing will be super thick, but that’s how we want it!

    Finally, pour the dressing on top of the salad and toss until everything is fully coated in the dressing. Once done, serve and enjoy! Store any leftovers in a container, in the fridge, for up to three days.

    If you make this recipe, please be sure to leave a review and rating below! To see more recipes and behind the scenes, follow along on Instagram, TikTok, and Youtube! I’m also now on Pinterest, so stop by and take a look at what’s new.

    ** Photography by Gayle McLeod
    A bowl of the watermelon cucumber salad, sitting one a countertop with a pair of chopsticks sitting inside of the bowl

    Home | Recipe | Salads

    5 from 5 votes

    The Ultimate Watermelon Cucumber Salad

    • Dairy Free
    • Gluten Free
    • Grain Free
    • Paleo Friendly
    • Refined Sugar Free
    • Vegan
    Your new favorite way to eat watermelon has arrived. This is THEĀ Ultimate Watermelon Cucumber Salad, and it's everything that you could have dreamed of and more. It's full of juicy summer watermelon, crunchy Persian cucumbers, tangy feta cheese, and chopped pistachios for a delightfully nutty twist. And, it's topped with a thick, zesty dressing that truly makes this salad taste like summer. I make this salad every summertime for my family, and now your family can enjoy it too!
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    Servings: 6 Servings
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    Ingredients

    For the Salad:
    • 4 Cups Watermelon, cubed
    • 6 Persian Cucumbers, sliced
    • ½ Red Onion, thinly sliced
    • ½ Bunch Mint, chopped
    • 1 Jalapeno , seeds removed and chopped
    • ½ Cup Feta Cheese, crumbled
    • ½ Cup Pistachios, chopped
    For the Dressing:
    • ¼ Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
    • 2 Tablespoons Honey or Maple Syrup
    • 1 Lime, zested and juiced
    • 1 Lemon, zested and juiced
    • ½ Teaspoon Sea Salt

    Instructions 

    1. To make this salad, start by washing and chopping your watermelon and Persian cucumbers and add them to a large bowl.
    2. Next, add in the rest of your salad ingredients and set the bowl to the side.
    3. Then, in a separate small bowl, whisk together all of the dressing ingredients until fully combined.
    4. Finally, pour the dressing on top of the salad and toss until everything is fully coated in the dressing.
    5. Once done, serve and enjoy! Store any leftovers in a container, in the fridge, for up to three days.
    Nutrition Hide Nutrition
    Calories: 235kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 5gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 11mgSodium: 382mgPotassium: 355mgFiber: 2gSugar: 13gVitamin A: 793IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 103mgIron: 1mg
    Hey I’m Nicole!

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    Rate & review

    SELECT A RATING and tell me what you think!

    What others are saying

    1. Jami
      July 2, 2023

      5 stars
      Wonderful combination of flavors! Perfect, refreshing summer salad.

      Reply
      1. kalejunkie
        July 5, 2023

        I’m so happy you liked it! Thank you so much for your review, Jami!

    2. Kathie
      July 7, 2023

      5 stars
      What a refreshing summer salad! The jalapeƱo really kicks it up a notch!!

      Reply
      1. kalejunkie
        July 8, 2023

        Isn’t it so fun?! I’m so thrilled you enjoyed this recipe, Kathie! Thank you so much for your review!

    3. Bonnie Kolesar
      August 15, 2023

      5 stars
      Thanks for the simple but delicious recipes!

      Reply
      1. kalejunkie
        August 20, 2023

        You are so welcome, Bonnie! Thank you so much for your review!

    4. Agnes
      February 17, 2024

      5 stars
      Summer must have recipe. Watermelon season must try, and once you try it you will make it again and again. Love the combo sweet, salty, tangy, crunchy, šŸ„’ spicy šŸŒ¶ļø hits so many notes šŸŽ¶ you will start singing šŸŽ¶ when you try it and your family and friends will sing too.

      Reply
      1. kalejunkie
        February 21, 2024

        Agnes, your review makes my day! Thank you so much!

    5. Pam Tsuzaki
      June 2, 2024

      I had this recipe saved for so long and finally had all the ingredients today so pulled out this recipe to make it for the first time. DELICIOUS! I ate the whole bowl by myself ; my stomach is so full. I could not stop eating this ! It’s a medley of sweet and salty, crunchy and wet , great texture and flavor. I used herbed feta curds from the Farmers Market and it was wonderful. So colorful too ! Thank you for sharing the recipe !

      Reply
      1. kalejunkie
        June 3, 2024

        Wow! Pam, I am so very happy to hear this – this is exactly why I share these recipes!! Thank you so much for making this recipe and for leaving such a kind review!

    6. Karla Mak
      July 13, 2024

      Amazing!! Super refreshing. It was a huge hit here at my home and will add it to my summer recipes on repeat. Love it!!!

      Reply
      1. kalejunkie
        July 17, 2024

        I am so thrilled to hear that, Karla! Thank you so much for making this recipe and for leaving such a kind review!

    7. Erica
      July 14, 2025

      5 stars
      My family loved this!

      Reply
    8. JAMIE BALLARD
      July 27, 2025

      I made this last night for an event. I did not have jalapeƱo, but I had some jalapeno lime pistachios. Turned out great – thank you!!

      Reply
      1. kalejunkie
        July 31, 2025

        I am so glad that you enjoyed it, Jamie! Thank you for your review!

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