This watermelon cucumber basil salad is the kind of summer side dish that disappears fast. Juicy watermelon, crisp cucumber, sweet blueberries, salty feta, red onion, and fresh basil are tossed with a simple honey lime dressing for a salad that is fresh, light, and perfect for hot summer days.
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It is sweet, salty, crisp, and juicy all in one bowl. If you love this recipe, try this watermelon mint salad or avocado feta salad next!
Recipe at a Glance
- Total Time: 15 minutes.
- Best For: BBQs, potlucks, summer lunches, and grilled dinners.
- Flavor: Sweet, tangy, salty, and fresh.
- Make Ahead: Prep ingredients ahead, but toss just before serving.
Jump to:
- Recipe at a Glance
- Why this watermelon salad recipe works
- Ingredients You'll Need
- How to Make Watermelon Cucumber Basil Salad
- Step 1: Cut the Watermelon
- Step 2: Prep the Cucumber and Onion
- Step 3: Add the Feta
- Step 4: Add the Basil and Blueberries
- Step 5: Make the Dressing
- Step 6: Toss and Serve
- How to pick a watermelon for this salad
- Top tips
- Serving suggestions
- Variations
- Storage
- More easy summer salad recipes
- Printable Recipe
- Comments
Why this watermelon salad recipe works
The watermelon brings the sweetness, the cucumber keeps it crisp, and the creamy feta cheese adds just enough salt to balance everything out.
Fresh basil gives this salad a slightly peppery, garden-fresh flavor that makes it different from a classic watermelon mint salad.
The honey lime dressing is light, so it coats the fruit without turning the whole bowl into soup. Nobody invited soggy salad to the BBQ.
Ingredients You'll Need
- Watermelon: Use a large watermelon cut into bite-sized cubes (I prefer a seedless watermelon so I don't have to worry about removing seeds).
- Cucumber: Adds crunch and freshness. English cucumber works especially well because the skin is tender.
- Red onion: A little goes a long way. Slice or dice it thin so it does not take over.
- Blueberries: They add a sweet pop and make the salad extra pretty.
- Fresh basil: Tear or chop it right before adding so it stays bright and fresh.
- Feta cheese: Salty, creamy, and perfect with watermelon.
- Fresh lime juice: Adds brightness and keeps the salad from tasting too sweet.
- Honey: Sweetens the dressing just enough.
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the printable recipe card below.
How to Make Watermelon Cucumber Basil Salad
For more detailed instructions with measurements, jump to the recipe card.
Step 1: Cut the Watermelon
Place the watermelon on a large cutting board. Slice off the top and bottom so it sits flat. Cut away the rind in strips, then cut the watermelon into 1-inch cubes.
Step 2: Prep the Cucumber and Onion
Dice the cucumber and red onion into small, bite-sized pieces. Add them to a large mixing bowl with the watermelon.
Step 3: Add the Feta
Crumble the feta over the salad. Try to keep some larger pieces so every bite gets a little creamy, salty flavor.
Step 4: Add the Basil and Blueberries
Tear or chop the basil and add it to the bowl, along with the blueberries. I like adding them near the end so they do not bruise while tossing.
Step 5: Make the Dressing
Whisk together the lime juice and honey in a small bowl until smooth.
Step 6: Toss and Serve
Drizzle the dressing over the salad, and toss gently. Serve right away, or chill for up to 30 minutes before serving.
How to pick a watermelon for this salad
For this watermelon basil salad, you want watermelon that is sweet and firm, not soft or watery. Look for one that feels heavy for its size and has a creamy yellow field spot where it rested on the ground.
Give it a tap, too. A ripe watermelon usually sounds deep and hollow. If it sounds dull, it may be overripe, and that can make the salad mushy once the dressing is added.
Top tips
- Dry the cucumber and watermelon lightly with a paper towel if they seem extra juicy. This helps keep the dressing from getting watered down.
- Do not add the dressing too early. Watermelon releases liquid quickly, and the salad is best when tossed shortly before serving.
- Use fresh basil, not dried. Dried basil has no business here. It had its chance in pasta sauce.
- Go easy on the red onion. You want a little bite, not a full onion takeover.
Serving suggestions
This basil watermelon salad is best served cold, right after tossing. I like it with smoked whole chicken, smoked 3-2-1 ribs, smash burgers, smoked steak kabobs, Pit Boss pulled pork, smoked salmon, or anything coming off the pellet grill.
For potlucks or BBQs, prep the watermelon, cucumber, onion, and dressing separately. Add the feta, basil, blueberries, and dressing just before serving so the salad stays crisp, fresh, and pretty enough to earn its spot beside the main dish.
Variations
- Use a melon baller instead of cubing the watermelon.
- Swap the feta for goat cheese.
- Use fresh mint instead of basil.
- Add sliced jalapeños for a little heat.
- Add avocado just before serving.
- Use cherry tomatoes for a more savory version.
Storage
This salad is best served the same day. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for about 1 day, but the watermelon will release more liquid as it sits.
More easy summer salad recipes
If you loved this watermelon cucumber salad, check out these summer salads:
Printable Recipe
Watermelon Cucumber Salad with Basil
Ingredients
- 6 cups seedless watermelon (cut into 1-inch cubes, about 4 pounds)
- 1 cup cucumber , diced
- ¼ cup red onion , thinly sliced (optional)
- 1 cup feta cheese , crumbled or cubed
- ¼ cup fresh basil , cut into thin strips
- ¾ cup blueberries
Honey Lime Dressing
- 4 tablespoons lime juice
- 4 tablespoons honey
Instructions
- Add the watermelon, cucumber, red onion, and feta to a large mixing bowl and toss gently.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the lime juice and honey until smooth. Drizzle the honey lime dressing over the salad.
- Add the fresh basil and blueberries. Gently toss with a large spoon until everything is lightly coated. Transfer to a serving bowl and serve immediately.
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Notes
- Watermelon: Pick a watermelon with a creamy yellow field spot. This usually means it ripened longer and will be sweeter.
- Basil: Add the basil just before serving so it stays fresh and does not bruise too much.
- Cheese: Feta adds a salty bite, but goat cheese can be used for a creamier texture.
- Extra juicy watermelon: If the watermelon releases a lot of liquid after cutting, lightly pat it dry before adding it to the salad.
- Make ahead: Chop the watermelon, cucumber, and onion ahead of time, but store the dressing, basil, feta, and blueberries separately. Toss just before serving.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 day. The salad will become juicier as it sits.
Nutrition
The provided nutrition information is automatically calculated. Accuracy is not guaranteed.
**This post was originally published in March 2023. It has been recently updated with more information, helpful tips, and new photos, but the recipe remains the same.
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