Watermelon & Cucumber Salad

Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: None
Chill: 15–20 minutes
Total: 30–35 minutes
Serves: 4

Ingredients

Salad

4 cups seedless watermelon, cut into 1-inch cubes
2 medium English cucumbers, sliced
¼ cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
2 tbsp fresh mint, chopped
¼ cup crumbled feta cheese — optional
1–2 tbsp pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds — optional

Lemon-Herb Dressing

2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 tsp honey
½ tsp dried oregano
¼ tsp red pepper flakes
¼ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper

Full Method

Prepare the watermelon: Cut watermelon into bite-sized cubes. Remove excess seeds if necessary.
Prepare cucumbers: Wash and slice cucumbers into approximately ¼-inch rounds.
Make the dressing: Whisk olive oil, lemon juice, honey, oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
Combine: Add watermelon and cucumber to a large serving bowl.
Add herbs: Gently fold in parsley and mint.
Dress: Pour the dressing over the salad and toss very gently so the watermelon doesn’t break apart.
Finish: Sprinkle with feta and optional seeds.
Chill: Refrigerate for 15–20 minutes before serving.
Serve: Give it one gentle toss immediately before serving.

Approximate Nutrition

Per serving, without feta or seeds:

Nutrient	Approx. amount
Calories	~120 kcal
Protein	~2 g
Carbohydrates	~18 g
Total fat	~5 g
Fiber	~2 g
Total sugars	~14 g
Sodium	~160 mg
Potassium	~300 mg
Vitamin C	~18 mg

With feta, calories and sodium will be higher.

Nut & Allergen Information

Tree nuts: None
Peanuts: None
Dairy: None in the basic salad; feta contains milk
Egg: None
Gluten: None
Soy: None
Sesame: None
Seeds: Optional pumpkin/sunflower seeds are not nuts, but omit them if required for your allergy needs.

Quick Q&A

Can I make it ahead?
Yes, but for the best texture, prepare it within a few hours of serving. Watermelon releases liquid as it sits.

Why is my salad watery?
Watermelon and cucumber naturally contain a lot of water. Drain excess liquid before serving and avoid dressing it too far in advance.

Can I use lime instead of lemon?
Absolutely. Lime gives it a slightly sharper, more tropical flavor.

Can I skip the honey?
Yes. The watermelon is naturally sweet, so the honey is optional.

What cheese works instead of feta?
Goat cheese or small cubes of fresh mozzarella work well.

How can I make it spicy?
Add extra red pepper flakes or a finely chopped fresh jalapeño.

How long does it keep?
Store covered in the refrigerator and ideally consume within 24 hours for the best texture.

Author
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Sara Mitchell

Sara Mitchell is an expert restaurant content creator who writes easy-to-read guides about CAVA and other Mediterranean fast-casual chains in the United States. She covers locations, menus, prices, and hours, making it simple for visitors to find nearby restaurants and what to order quickly.

With years of experience in restaurant research and local SEO, Sara creates accurate, user-friendly guides that work for both people and search engines. Her goal is to help users go from search results to their nearest restaurant or menu choice with as few clicks as possible.