Honey Lime Watermelon Salad
On September 09, 2024
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Bursting with sweet, sharp flavor, this refreshing Watermelon Salad with Honey Lime dressing requires no cooking, and it’s ready in minutes.
Honey Lime Watermelon Salad
Smoking a whole brisket or pork shoulder can be quite time-consuming, so this easy Watermelon Salad makes for an awesome last-minute side. There’s no cooking involved on this one, and it comes together in just minutes. Thick chunks of juicy watermelon and refreshing cucumber slices provide a sweet base, while sharp hints of mint and a tangy feta crumble add a surprising depth of flavor. To finish it all off, this salad gets a toss in a sweet, bright homemade honey lime dressing. The balance of these ingredients makes this delectable salad perfect as a side or an appetizer for both cookouts and family gatherings.
If you’re ready to freshen up your grill menu with a quick but mouthwatering Watermelon salad to complete your backyard BBQ meal, then let’s get started with what’s in it.
Ingredients for Watermelon Salad
This watermelon salad brings a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, bright flavors with crisp, creamy, watery textures. Here’s everything I used for this recipe, but remember you can also make it your own:
- 6 cups watermelon (cut into 1-inch cubes)
- 2 cups English cucumber (cut into ½-inch pieces)
- 6 ounces feta cheese (crumbled)
- 1 cup fresh mint leaves (torn)
If you want to give your salad a little more bite, then you can add in ½ cup of sliced red onions. Remember, this is your salad. You can personalize it to fit your family’s taste.
Honey Lime Dressing
This watermelon feta salad with mint and cucumber is already a flavor journey in every bite, but when you add in the honey lime dressing? Forget about it. All you need to do is whisk together some honey, fresh lime juice, and a little Kosher salt. Once combined, you’ve got a game-changing dressing. The honey coats everything with a sticky-smooth sweetness while the lime brings a bright, zesty kick. One drizzle of this dressing and your salad will never be the same.
Tips for Handling Watermelon
Watermelon is a juicy, delicious summer treat beloved by pretty much everyone, but you have to be careful working with it. Here are a couple things to keep in mind, so you can have watermelon on the menu:
- Cool it. Once you cut into your watermelon, keeping it chilled is super important. Because watermelon is so watery, you must store it in the refrigerator or on ice. You can leave it out while serving, but get it back to a cold temp within 2 hours.
- Wash it. Make sure to wash your watermelon off before slicing into cubes. Even though the rinds aren’t used, just handling the watermelon can lead to contamination. Just give it a quick rinse.
How to Make Watermelon feta Salad
Alright, no more imagining. Just follow these quick, simple steps for the most amazing watermelon salad you’ve ever experienced:
- Prepare salad ingredients. First up, grab yourself a sharp knife so you can slice you watermelon and cucumber. I sliced my watermelon in 1-inch cubes, and cucumber in ½-inch halved-rounds. Arrange your slices onto a serving platter, then crumble some feta cheese and tear up some fresh mint. You can get creative here for your preferences. The important part is making sure your guests can get a little of everything in each bite.
- Make honey lime dressing. In a small bowl, combine your yummy honey, zesty lime juice, and a pinch of Kosher salt. As you whisk these ingredients together, the aroma will get you excited. Don’t worry, you’re almost there.
- Dress the salad. Drizzle your honey lime dressing over the entire salad. Toss the salad gently, ensuring every bite gets a kiss of this tart and tangy dressing.
- Serve and enjoy. For the final touch, squeeze some fresh lime juice over your salad. This bright addition will enliven all the flavors of your salad ingredients. Serve immediately in generous portions, and get ready for the stellar reviews from your guests.
Serving Suggestions
The crisp, juicy watermelon and cucumber, fresh mint, and savory feta make this salad the perfect side. Savory, smoked briskets for the cookout and quick weeknight burgers alike benefit from the sweet, bright addition of this vibrant salad. This surprisingly fulfilling side also makes for a show-stealing offering at any tailgate, potluck, or get-together.
To help give you some ideas on the kind of flavors your salad complements, I put together my ultimate summer meal on the grill. Take a look, mix and match, and be sure to tell me what you love this salad alongside:
Leftover Watermelon Tip
This juicy watermelon salad brings a light touch to any heavy, BBQ spread, but it’s not great for leftovers. Because of its high water content, watermelon should be kept separate from other foods for safety. You’ve already mixed your salad all together, so I recommend enjoying it the day you make it. If you need to store any leftovers, place them in an airtight container and keep in your refrigerator. I really wouldn’t worry, though. Once your guests get that bright, crisp punch of flavor, this stuff will disappear quickly.
More Summer Salad Recipes
Once you experience how easy it is to throw this incredible watermelon salad together, and you see how fast your family devours it, you’ll be adding fresh salads to your menu all the time. I’ve got dozens of cool sides and salads just like this, which you can find in the Sides section of your recipe library. You can also find them in Hey Grill Hey App, while also making a shopping list and meal plan. For now, here are few more of my favorite summer salads to make for your next cookout:
Quick Watermelon Salad Recipe
Snap some photos of your mouthwatering watermelon salad, and be sure to share them with me on social media. Just tag @heygrillhey on Instagram and Facebook. Consider giving this recipe a 5-star rating if your family loved it, and tell me how yours turned out in the comments section.
Still not sure what to make with your salad? I’ve got you covered. Head over to my YouTube and YouTube Shorts channels, where you browse how-to videos of all my most popular recipes, and get a look at the behind-the-recipe magic. You’re sure to find something delicious to help you become a backyard BBQ hero.
Honey Lime Watermelon Salad
Ingredients
- 6 cups watermelon cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 cups English cucumber cut into ½-inch pieces
- 6 ounces feta cheese crumbled
- 1 cup fresh mint leaves torn
Honey Lime Dressing
- ½ cup honey
- ¼ cup lime juice
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
Instructions
- Prepare salad ingredients. Using a sharp knife, cut your watermelon into 1-inch cubes. Cut your cucumber into ½-inch rounds, then slice in halve for two semicircles. Arrange onto a large serving platter, or in a bowl, then add your feta cheese by crumbling it. After that, add your mint by tearing it into small pieces.6 cups watermelon, 2 cups English cucumber, 6 ounces feta cheese, 1 cup fresh mint leaves
- Make honey lime dressing. In a small bowl, combine the ingredients for your dressing. Whisk together until everything is combined.½ cup honey, ¼ cup lime juice, 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
- Dress the salad. Drizzle your honey lime dressing over your entire salad, then toss it gently to coat.
- Serve and enjoy. Squeeze some fresh lime juice onto your salad before serving to your guests and enjoying.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
