Fresh Watermelon Feta Cucumber Salad with Tajín Chili Lime Dressing
A refreshing summer salad combining juicy watermelon, crisp cucumbers, salty feta, and a smoky, tangy Tajín chili lime dressing. Perfect for quick lunches, potlucks, or light dinners.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 25-30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Cuisine: Mexican-inspired
Ingredients
- 4 cups watermelon, cubed (about 1-inch pieces), ripe and seedless
- 2 medium cucumbers, peeled and diced (English cucumbers preferred)
- 1 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 to 1.5 teaspoons Tajín seasoning
- Juice of 2 medium limes (about 4 tablespoons)
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon honey or agave (optional but recommended)
- 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
- Salt to taste (sea salt or kosher salt preferred)
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cut about 4 cups of watermelon into bite-sized cubes (roughly 1-inch pieces). Peel and dice 2 medium cucumbers similarly. This should take about 10 minutes.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the juice of 2 limes, 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, 1 teaspoon honey or agave, 1 to 1.5 teaspoons Tajín seasoning, and 1/4 teaspoon chili powder. Add salt and pepper to taste. This step takes about 5 minutes.
- In a large mixing bowl, gently toss the watermelon and cucumber cubes with the dressing. Be careful not to crush the watermelon—light tosses work best. This step takes about 2 minutes.
- Crumble 1 cup of feta cheese over the salad, then sprinkle 1/4 cup of chopped fresh cilantro. Gently fold these in, reserving a few sprigs of cilantro for garnish. This adds creamy, salty contrast and a fresh herbal note. Another 2 minutes.
- For best flavor, let the salad rest in the refrigerator for 15 to 20 minutes to let the flavors meld. This isn’t mandatory but highly recommended.
- Just before serving, sprinkle a bit more Tajín on top for extra color and kick. Serve chilled.
Notes
Drain excess watermelon juice if too wet to prevent sogginess. Use a sharp knife to avoid bruising the fruit and vegetables. Chill ingredients before mixing for best refreshment. Add dressing lightly to avoid overpowering delicate flavors. For dairy-free, substitute feta with crumbled firm tofu marinated in lemon juice and salt. Tajín seasoning is key for authentic flavor; substitute with chili powder, lime zest, and salt if unavailable.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1 cup per serv
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 12
- Sodium: 300
- Fat: 9
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Carbohydrates: 15
- Fiber: 1.5
- Protein: 4
Keywords: watermelon salad, feta salad, cucumber salad, Tajín dressing, summer salad, chili lime dressing, refreshing salad, easy salad recipe