This Strawberry Watermelon Cucumber Salad is summer in a bowl! Jam-packed with juicy watermelon, ripe strawberries, crisp cucumber, and fresh mint, it’s the kind of side dish that instantly brightens up any table. Tossed with a zesty lime-honey dressing and a sprinkle of feta, it’s a sweet, savory, and ultra-refreshing salad you’ll crave on hot days.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ultimate Summer Refreshment: Every bite of this Strawberry Watermelon Cucumber Salad is bursting with cool, hydrating sweetness—just what you need on a warm day.
- Sweet Meets Savory: The juicy fruits combined with salty feta and bright lime-honey dressing hit all the right flavor notes for a salad that’s anything but boring.
- Ridiculously Easy & Fast: With minimal prep and zero cooking, you can have this fresh salad on the table in just 15 minutes.
- Showstopper Appeal: Its gorgeous colors and vibrant textures make it a centerpiece-worthy dish for picnics, potlucks, or backyard dinners.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You only need a handful of simple ingredients for this Strawberry Watermelon Cucumber Salad, but each one brings something delightful to the party. The mix of textures and flavors is beyond satisfying, and these colorful picks make every shard and cube stand out.
- Watermelon: Juicy, sweet, and the star of every summer salad—pick a seedless watermelon so you can chop and toss easily.
- Strawberries: For best results, choose ripe, fragrant strawberries for that classic flavor pop and lovely red color streaks.
- English seedless cucumber: These cucumbers are extra crisp, and you don’t need to peel them, so your salad stays crunchy and vibrant.
- Fresh mint leaves: A little mint goes a long way, adding an unmistakable herbal brightness that ties all the sweetness together.
- Olive oil: Just a splash adds silky richness and helps the dressing hold onto every fruit and veggie.
- Lime juice: The tangy citrus balances the sweetness and gives the salad irresistible zing.
- Honey: A drizzle of honey amplifies the natural fruit sweetness and smooths out the acidity.
- Sea salt: Don’t skip it! A sprinkle of sea salt sharpens all the other flavors in the bowl.
- Feta cheese: Feta adds the perfect salty-smooth finish and some creamy contrast to all that crunch and juiciness.
- Additional mint, for garnish (optional): Add a few extra mint leaves on top if you want to make your salad look—and taste—even more inviting.
Variations
There’s tons of room to make this Strawberry Watermelon Cucumber Salad your own. Whether you’re swapping for what you have on hand, adapting for dietary needs, or just feeling creative, here are some of my favorite ways to change things up.
- Add Avocado: Toss in chunks of ripe avocado for creamy richness and extra color. It pairs especially well with feta and mint.
- Switch the Cheese: Try goat cheese or fresh mozzarella pearls instead of feta for a different kind of creamy, salty bite.
- Spice It Up: Add a little chopped jalapeño or a sprinkle of chili flakes for a spicy kick that plays beautifully with the sweet fruit.
- Make It Vegan: Skip the feta and use a vegan cheese or extra cucumber—remember to swap honey for maple syrup or agave!
- Citrus Twist: Substitute orange or lemon juice for the lime if that’s what you have, or mix in some citrus zest for more punch.
How to Make Strawberry Watermelon Cucumber Salad
Step 1: Prep and Chop Your Ingredients
Start by cutting your watermelon into bite-sized cubes and slicing the strawberries—don’t worry about being too precise; rustic chunks are perfect here. Chop your cucumber and roughly chop the mint leaves. Gather everything into a big bowl so you’re ready to mix.
Step 2: Whisk the Dressing
In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, freshly squeezed lime juice, and honey. This quick dressing brightens and gently coats the salad, giving you that perfect blend of tang, sweetness, and silkiness. Taste and adjust the honey or lime juice as you like.
Step 3: Toss Everything Together
Pour the dressing over your fruit and veggie mixture. Gently toss everything together with a big spoon—being careful not to smash the watermelon or strawberries. Sprinkle in a generous pinch of sea salt and toss again to bring out the flavors.
Step 4: Add Feta and Garnish
Top the salad with crumbled feta cheese and, if you’re feeling fancy, a few fresh mint leaves. This last step brings all the contrasting flavors and textures together, turning your Strawberry Watermelon Cucumber Salad into a showstopper.
Pro Tips for Making Strawberry Watermelon Cucumber Salad
- Super Chill: Chill your watermelon, strawberries, and cucumber before assembling—the colder, the more refreshing and crisp your salad will be.
- Cut Consistently: Try to cut all your ingredients into similar-sized pieces; it makes every bite balanced and visually appealing.
- Dress Last-Minute: Toss the dressing in just before serving to keep everything juicy, not soggy. If making ahead, wait with the salt and feta until the very end.
- Feta Freshness: Use block feta and crumble it yourself for the creamiest, softest texture—it melts into the salad beautifully.
How to Serve Strawberry Watermelon Cucumber Salad
Garnishes
For a finishing touch, scatter extra fresh mint leaves or a few edible flowers over the salad. A drizzle of balsamic glaze or a sprinkle of lime zest can also dial up the wow factor if you’re serving Strawberry Watermelon Cucumber Salad for guests.
Side Dishes
This salad is a natural partner for grilled chicken, fish, burgers, or veggie kabobs. It also makes a dreamy addition to a picnic spread or potluck table—think fresh bread, roasted corn, or a platter of simple cheeses alongside.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve your Strawberry Watermelon Cucumber Salad in a carved-out watermelon bowl for a showy presentation, or thread the ingredients onto skewers for vibrant salad “kebabs.” Tiny mason jars or individual glasses also give a fun, portable twist for parties and picnics.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It’s best enjoyed within 1–2 days since the fruits will continue to release juices, making the mix softer over time.
Freezing
This salad isn’t freezer-friendly, as freezing will drastically change the texture of the fruits and cucumber. For the best flavor and appearance, always enjoy it freshly made or after a brief chill in the fridge.
Reheating
Strawberry Watermelon Cucumber Salad is meant to be served cold—no reheating needed! If your leftovers have released extra juices, simply give them a quick toss before serving.
FAQs
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Can I make Strawberry Watermelon Cucumber Salad ahead of time?
You can prep the fruits and cucumber up to several hours in advance—just keep them separate, refrigerate, and toss with the dressing, salt, and feta right before serving so everything stays fresh and crisp.
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What other fruits can I use in this salad?
Feel free to swap in cantaloupe, honeydew, peaches, or even blueberries as delicious alternatives or additions to your Strawberry Watermelon Cucumber Salad—just stick with fruits that are juicy and slightly firm for the best results.
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How do I pick a ripe watermelon for this salad?
Look for a watermelon with a deep, golden “field spot” (the side that rested on the ground) and a nice, hollow sound when tapped. It should feel heavy for its size and have a uniform shape.
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Is this salad suitable for people with dairy allergies?
Absolutely—just leave off the feta or replace it with a dairy-free cheese alternative. The salad will still be wonderfully refreshing, bright, and full of flavor!
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving something fresh, fast, and full of joy, give this Strawberry Watermelon Cucumber Salad a try! It’s such a crowd-pleaser and honestly, one of those recipes you’ll want to make on repeat all summer long. Hope you fall in love with every juicy, minty, sunshiny bite!
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Strawberry Watermelon Cucumber Salad Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This refreshing Strawberry Watermelon Cucumber Salad is a delightful blend of sweet and savory flavors, perfect for a light and healthy meal or as a side dish for any summer gathering.
Ingredients
Salad:
- 4 cups cubed watermelon
- 3 cups sliced strawberries
- 1 English seedless cucumber, chopped
- 1/4 cup roughly chopped mint leaves
Dressing:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Juice of 1 lime
- 1 to 2 teaspoons honey
- Sea salt, to taste
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- Mint leaves for garnish, optional
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the watermelon, strawberries, cucumber, and mint leaves.
- Prepare Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lime juice, and honey. Drizzle over the salad and gently stir until salad is coated. Season with sea salt, to taste.
- Finish and Serve: Top with crumbled feta cheese and additional mint leaves, if desired. Serve.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 90 kcal
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 107mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Carbohydrates: 13g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 8mg
