Cucumber, Melon and Watermelon Salad

Cucumber, Melon and Watermelon Salad
David Malosh for The New York Times
Total Time
2 minutes
Rating
4(632)
Notes
Read community notes

Watermelon and feta has been in vogue for some time (and forever in Greece). I decided to throw in some of my endless supply of cucumbers and mix it up with the melons. I cut the melon and cucumber into medium-size dice (½ to ¾ inch), but you can also make this more like a salsa and cut the produce into fine dice.

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Ingredients

Yield:4 servings
  • 4cups mixed diced watermelon, honeydew and cantaloupe
  • 2cups diced cucumber, seeded if there are seeds
  • Salt to taste
  • 1teaspoon lemon or lime zest
  • 2tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon or lime juice
  • 1 to 2tablespoons chopped fresh mint
  • 1ounce feta cheese, crumbled
  • ¼ to ½teaspoon Aleppo pepper or mild chili powder (to taste), or 1 serrano chile, minced
  • 2tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)

254 calories; 9 grams fat; 2 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 5 grams monounsaturated fat; 1 gram polyunsaturated fat; 44 grams carbohydrates; 4 grams dietary fiber; 38 grams sugars; 5 grams protein; 1319 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Combine all of the ingredients in a large bowl. Toss together just before serving.

Tip
  • Advance preparation: This is best when freshly assembled but will keep for a day in the refrigerator.

Ratings

4 out of 5
632 user ratings
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Cooking Notes

Toss all the other ingredients together first and then add the watermelon at the very end to preserve its crisp, fresh appearance.

This is a cool (literally) recipe to showcase summer fruits on a hot day. I made it with yellow watermelon, local cantaloupe, garden cukes and backyard lemons for the juice/zest. I opted out of the feta. It is refreshing and addicting!

A lovely summer salad. Lacking mint, I used lots of its kissin' cousin, fresh basil. I also diverged from the recipe by serving it on top of a mixture of baby kale and other salad greens.

This was outstanding! Made it for a picnic with honeydew and cantaloupe and Persian cukes. Substituted Tajin for Aleppo/chili pepper; skipped the olive oil. Everyone added their own French feta to taste. It's a keeper.

Very refreshing, and pretty. Next time I might add some minced serrano pepper.

Wonderful summer salad. For added crunch could add slivered almonds, but I prefer texture without. Had some pickled red onions left over, so I tossed them into salad, adding a bit of tang. I dont think the olive oil is necessary. Eat this quickly before the salt pulls too much liquid out of the melon and cucumbers!

Very good, used basil instead of mint. Be sparing with the olive oil.

I just put this together... Very easy and nice. My melon and watermelon were not quite ripe enough... But when all the flavors come together it's quite yummy. I used lemon olive oil and that gave it a little richness too. I will make this again. It would be good for a starter.

Really delicious. I've made this kind of melon and feta salad before- but the addition of the cucumbers really helps balance the favors with a neutral savory respite from the sweet and tang...opted for the addition of thin sliced jalapeño which was just the right pop of spice. I will definitely make this again!

I made this purely to use some of the million green cucumbers I have, and boy what a lovely surprise. THIS TASTES LIKE A COCKTAIL. In all the best ways. But it’s a salad. And you can eat it for breakfast. I used only watermelon, don’t skip the mint.

Toss all the other ingredients together first and then add the watermelon at the very end to preserve its crisp, fresh appearance.

Tried this last night with what I had on hand - replaced the watermelon with pineapple and used Armenian Cucumbers in place of the standard garden variety of cucs. End result was a very nice looking and great tasting salad that was very refreshing. Definitely going to make this again. :)

Simple, cooling, refreshing, natural, healthy, and hydrating--who needs high-calorie ice cream and air-conditioning? The cucumber contributes a pleasant crunch and contrast to the watermelon.

So good and super simple!! Tastes like summer. Will add to our family rotation. Family of teens and two adults all loved it, nothing left. I used 1 serrano pepper and served that as well as the feta on the side because of different tastes. I followed another poster’s rec to add the watermelon just before serving.

This was delicious! We made it last night with basil because we had no mint. I forgot to add the oil and it didn't seem to suffer. Next time I will use it and see the results. And there will be a next time.

Just made in Florida to accompany a pork tenderloin and squash casserole. Used cantaloupe and watermelon. Substituted basil and Tajin per other contributors’ notes. Worked great. LOTS of lemon. One diner wished I omitted the cucumber but my vegan friend applauded the dish (even with the feta)!

great salad--will be a go-to for the next gathering

Wonderful summer salad. I've long been a fan of watermelon-mint-feta salads, and my husband -- who is not generally a salad or a veggie fan -- particularly liked this version. This will be a regular in my summer rotation!

I just made this using honey rock (cantaloupe) cucumber and I had a ripe mango. Lime juice, salt and Tajin! Delicious!

Add toasted pumpkin seeds..

This was fantastic! The only addition I made was I sprinkled with Tajin before serving. So good!

This was delicious. The citrus and mint were great with the watermelon and cukes and the aleppo pepper added just the right heat. I didn't have feta, so I subbed fresh mozzarella and it worked well.

I just made this - it is delicious. A great summer salad!

I made this purely to use some of the million green cucumbers I have, and boy what a lovely surprise. THIS TASTES LIKE A COCKTAIL. In all the best ways. But it’s a salad. And you can eat it for breakfast. I used only watermelon, don’t skip the mint.

Big difference due to quality of the watermelon. Use an English Cuke or very fresh picked one if available. Lime juice is best. I've now made this at least three times this season and will do it again.

Used Trader Joe’s chili lime seasoning in place of the peppers and it was delicious

A little pickled red onion brings more color and texture to the party. And if you want a mezze mix, this salad alongside muhamara wth pita chips is brilliant.

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