This watermelon and cucumber salad is cool, crisp, and hydrating, like a splash of cold water on a scorching day. Juicy watermelon, crunchy cucumbers, and fresh herbs come together in a simple lime vinaigrette with a sprinkle of pumpkin seeds for a little crunch. It's bright, refreshing, and instantly hydrating - the perfect summer side dish for picnics, a day at the pool, and serving alongside your summer faves!
What is Watermelon and Cucumber Salad?
Think of this as more of a marinated salad than a leafy one.
Chunks of crisp, sweet watermelon and fresh cucumber soak up the simple dressing, mingling with the pepitas for a little extra texture and flavor.
As it sits, the flavors mingle together and complement each other perfectly.
And it's not just about the flavor, although it always gets rave reviews.
This salad is all about hydration.
Watermelon and cucumbers contain more than 90% water, making them a natural way to replenish water lost from splashing in the pool or playing out in the yard. Plus, you get the fiber and nutrients from eating whole foods.
It's truly the perfect summer salad - delicious, cooling, and hydrating all at the same time!
Why you’ll love this Watermelon Cucumber Salad Recipe
- One of my favorite ways to cool down during the hot summer months
- Easy make-ahead side dish for a summer cookout or party
- Very simple salad to make yet so refreshing
- Naturally hydrating salad thanks to the fresh watermelon and cucumber
- Lots of texture and crunch to keep every bite interesting
- Takes just minutes to throw everything together
- Easy, budget-friendly summer side dish, especially during watermelon season
Did you know?
Melons and cucumbers are both from the same plant family (Cucurbitaceae), just like pumpkins and squash. Like their relatives, they're naturally hydrating and a great source of fiber.
Ingredients For Cucumber Watermelon Salad
We're mostly relying on fresh ingredients here. To get the best texture and flavor, use the freshest, crispest, sweetest watermelon you can find.
- Seedless watermelon - Seedless watermelon is ideal since you don't have to fuss with the seeds at all.
- Persian cucumber - Persian cucumbers have thin skin and a mild flavor without dealing with lots of seeds. You can also use English cucumber, mini cucumbers, or whichever type you have in the garden.
- Cilantro - Fresh herbs are bright and aromatic. Cilantro works great here, but you can also use fresh mint.
- Pepitas - For some healthy fats and a little crunch.
- Olive oil - This will tie everything together with a rich, smooth flavor.
- White Balsamic vinegar - This vinegar is sweet and rich similar to regular balsamic, but it won't stain the ingredients. White or red wine vinegar can work in a pinch.
- Lime juice - A little fresh citrus complements the cooling ingredients and adds a nice brightness.
- Sea salt - To bring out all the flavors and replenish lost electrolytes.
How to Make Watermelon and Cucumber Salad
This is basically a one-step recipe - place everything in a bowl, stir, and serve. It's one of the easiest summer salads ever and I could serve it with my lunch every day!
- To a large serving bowl, add watermelon chunks, cucumber, pepitas, cilantro, olive oil, white balsamic, lime juice and salt.
- Mix well.
- Enjoy for 3-4 days.
Tips for Making the Best Watermelon and Cucumber Salad
- Adjust the flavor. Want a savory twist? Make a watermelon feta salad by adding some thinly sliced red onion, black pepper, and vegan feta cheese.
- Add some heat. The cool, crisp sweetness of this recipe pairs really well with some spicier elements like some red chili flakes or a dash or two of cayenne pepper.
- Make it fancy. Use a melon baller for bite-sized, rounded spheres that look extra special. This takes a little extra work, but is nice for a special summer dinner or lunch.
FAQs
If kept cold, this salad will stay fresh in an airtight container for about 3-4 days. The watermelon may soften slightly, but the flavors only get better over time.
Persian or English cucumbers are ideal because of their thin skin and mild flavor. Plus, they're both seedless cucumbers, so you don't have to worry about any seeds getting in the way. Old-fashioned garden cucumbers often have a thicker skin and larger seeds that aren't as fun to eat. For regular cucumbers, consider peeling the skin and removing the cucumber seeds for the best experience.
Watermelon is the star here, but you can also add cantaloupe or honeydew for a mix of flavors and colors. Just be sure to keep watermelon as the base.
Other Delicious Vegan Summer Salads
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Watermelon Cucumber Salad
Ingredients
- ½ seedless watermelon cut in cubes (about 4 cups)
- 3 Persian cucumbers cut in rounds
- ½ cup cilantro chopped
- ½ cup pepitas
- 1 tbsp Olive Oil
- 1 tbsp White Balsamic Vinegar
- ½ lime squeezed
- 1 pinch salt
Instructions
- To a bowl add watermelon, cucumber, pepitas, cilantro, olive oil, white balsamic, lime juice and salt.
- Mix well.
- Enjoy for 3-4 days.