Description
Summer’s refreshing “watermelon and cucumber salad” blends crisp Mediterranean flavors with juicy sweetness. Cool cucumber and watermelon chunks mingle with mint and feta, creating a light, zesty experience you’ll crave on warm afternoons.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Base:
- 1 small watermelon, cut into 1-inch cubes (about 6 cups)
- 4 medium cucumbers, peeled, seeded, and chopped
- 1/2 red onion, finely diced
- 1 handful of chopped fresh mint
Dressing Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) honey
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt (or 1/2 teaspoon sea salt)
- 1 pinch of ground black pepper
Instructions
- Dice the watermelon into uniform cubes, ensuring they are bite-sized and symmetrical for an aesthetically pleasing presentation.
- Slice cucumbers into thin, crisp medallions, creating a refreshing texture that complements the watermelon’s juiciness.
- Finely mince red onion to distribute a subtle, sharp flavor throughout the salad without overwhelming the delicate fruit.
- Gently tear fresh mint leaves into small pieces, releasing their aromatic oils and enhancing the salad’s bright profile.
- Create a vibrant vinaigrette by whisking red wine vinegar with extra virgin olive oil, allowing the liquids to emulsify smoothly.
- Drizzle honey into the dressing, balancing the vinegar’s acidity with a subtle sweetness that harmonizes with the watermelon.
- Season the vinaigrette with kosher salt and ground black pepper, carefully adjusting to achieve a perfectly balanced flavor.
- Pour the dressing over the prepared fruits and herbs, using a light touch to coat ingredients without bruising the delicate components.
- Gently toss the salad, ensuring each element is lightly dressed and intermingled.
- For optimal flavor development, refrigerate the salad for 15-20 minutes before serving, allowing the ingredients to marinate and meld together.
Notes
- Chill the watermelon and cucumber before preparing to enhance the refreshing quality of the salad.
- Adjust the honey amount based on the sweetness of the watermelon for a balanced flavor profile.
- Use a sharp knife to cut ingredients uniformly, ensuring each bite has a perfect mix of textures.
- Substitute red wine vinegar with lime juice for a zesty alternative that complements the sweet watermelon.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: None
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 80
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 3g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg