Watermelon Cucumber salad is the perfect summer appetizer recipe to serve to guests. This bbq side dish captures the very essence of summer bringing in only light flavors while packing in lots of crunch!
There are a few different ways you can make this recipe and I actually like them all. How I end up serving it depends on what I have on hand. I’ve given you a variety of ideas and will leave the rest up to you.
Watermelon Cucumber Salad Recipe – With Basil, Feta, And Balsamic Glaze
I feel like watermelon and feta are both summer staples in my house. There isn’t an outside gathering that doesn’t involve one or the other. So, it makes complete sense that we love this salad because it combines the flavors so wonderfully. Truth be told – this is a meal all by itself!
And, by the way, if you don’t like feta please feel free to substitute with mozzarella. We do this from time to time when making watermelon cucumber salad and it is DELISH.
Ingredients For Watermelon Cucumber Salad
- 6-7 cups watermelon chopped
- 2 cucumbers chopped
- 1 cup feta cheese crumbled
- Balsamic Glaze (to top)
- 1/2 lime
- 4 leaves of basil
- (optional 1/4 cup olive oil)
- 1/4 cup red onion
- salt
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How To Make Watermelon Salad With Feta Cheese
I have to give you two instructions for this dish because I don’t personally use olive oil when making watermelon salad, but I know a lot of people do. Usually, when I BBQ, we use plenty of olive oil on the grill and in our other side dishes. So, I try to avoid adding extra when I can.
I don’t think this watermelon salad needs it. But the literal Internet does – so here we are.
@vera_sweeney You asked for the ##watermelon salad recipe – here you go! ##howto make this ##summer appetizer. Enjoy! ##recipe
♬ Watermelon – Songeez
My Version (Without Olive Oil)
Chop up watermelon, basil, red onion, and peeled cucumber. Mix and plate. Top with feta cheese and sprinkle with lime juice and salt.
Now, take your balsamic glaze and lightly cover the top as you would an ice cream sundae. See the video above as reference.
Internet Version (With Olive Oil) –>
Chop up watermelon, basil, red onion, and peeled cucumber. Mix in a bowl with feta cheese, lime juice, salt, and olive oil. Plate.
Now, take your balsamic glaze and lightly cover the top as you would an ice cream sundae. See the video above as reference.
What Kind Of Balsamic Glaze Did You Use For Your Watermelon Cucumber Salad?
To be honest with you, I am not brand loyal to balsamic glaze – I like most that I find. For this particular recipe, everything that I used was bought from Trader Joe’s.
Trader Joe’s Balsamic Glaze… or should I saw Trader Giotto’s Balsamic Glaze is so GOOD. Naturally, the price is right and I put it on salad without any oil traditionally. But like I mentioned above, I try to take out oil where I can because I know I eat a LOT of it during the day.
If I can save 3 tablespoons on my salad … I am doing it. And I don’t miss it if you are wondering. A little lime and a little glaze and I am done.
Alternative Options For This Summer Salad
There are a few things you can swap out if you are missing some ingredients and don’t feel like running to the store:
- If you don’t have feta cheese –> use mozzarella.
- If you don’t have basil –> use mint.
- If you don’t have balsamic glaze –> use balsamic vinegar. You could also mix a little honey, lime, and olive oil to give it an entirely different feel if you don’t want to use any vinegar.
- If you don’t want to use olive oil –> don’t. Like I’ve mentioned a few times, even though the world uses olive oil, I don’t like to with this dish. I feel like it is MUCH fresher without it.
The next time you have a backyard barbeque, I hope you include this cucumber watermelon salad. Once you make it, there’s no turning back! By the way, this dish goes GREAT with my Kiwi Jalapeño Margarita.
Related:
- Strawberry Bruschetta Baguettes – Strawberry Appetizers
- Hearty Winter Salad Recipe – With Pomegranate And Wild Rice
- How To Pick The Best Watermelon – Simple Tips To Use At The Store
Watermelon Cucumber Salad
Yield: 6
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Ingredients
- 6-7 cups watermelon chopped
- 2 cucumbers chopped
- 1 cup feta cheese crumbled
- Balsamic Glaze (to top)
- 1/2 lime
- 4 leaves of basil
- (optional 1/4 cup olive oil)
- 1/4 cup red onion
- salt
Instructions
Without Olive Oil
Chop up watermelon, basil, red onion, and peeled cucumber. Mix and plate. Top with feta cheese and sprinkle with lime juice and salt. Now, take your balsamic glaze and lightly cover the top as you would an ice cream sundae. See photo as reference.
With Olive Oil
Chop up watermelon, basil, red onion, and peeled cucumber. Mix in a bowl with feta cheese, lime juice, salt, and olive oil. Plate. Now, take your balsamic glaze and lightly cover the top as you would an ice cream sundae. See photo above as reference.
