Description
A refreshing and bold summer salad combining juicy watermelon, crisp cucumber, spicy jalapeño, salty feta, and tangy Tajín seasoning. Perfect as a cool side dish for hot weather.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups seedless watermelon, cut into bite-sized cubes
- 1 medium English cucumber (about 7 ounces), peeled if desired, thinly sliced or diced
- 1 fresh jalapeño pepper (about 0.7 ounces), thinly sliced, seeds removed for milder heat
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese (about 2.6 ounces)
- 1 teaspoon Tajín seasoning (about 0.07 ounces)
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- Fresh mint or cilantro, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Cut about 4 cups (600 grams) of seedless watermelon into bite-sized cubes. Set aside in a large bowl. Chill beforehand for extra refreshment if desired.
- Peel (if preferred) and thinly slice or dice 1 medium English cucumber (about 200 grams). Add to the watermelon bowl.
- Thinly slice one fresh jalapeño pepper (about 20 grams). Remove seeds and membranes for less heat. Add to the bowl.
- In a small bowl, combine 2 tablespoons (30 ml) fresh lime juice with 1 tablespoon (15 ml) extra virgin olive oil. Stir well to blend.
- Pour the lime-olive oil dressing over the watermelon, cucumber, and jalapeño. Gently toss to coat evenly without mashing the watermelon.
- Sprinkle ½ cup (75 grams) crumbled feta cheese over the top, then dust with 1 teaspoon (2 grams) Tajín seasoning. Add chopped fresh mint or cilantro if using.
- Let the salad rest in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld.
- Give the salad a final gentle toss and serve chilled.
Notes
Chill watermelon cubes before mixing to keep them firm and juicy. Remove jalapeño seeds to reduce heat. Toss gently to avoid mashing watermelon. Add feta and Tajín just before serving if prepping ahead to keep texture fresh. Tajín can be substituted with chili powder, lime zest, and salt.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup salad
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 7
- Sodium: 280
- Fat: 7
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Carbohydrates: 10
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 3
Keywords: watermelon salad, cucumber salad, jalapeño salad, summer salad, feta cheese, Tajín seasoning, spicy salad, refreshing side dish