I vowed to never make a watermelon salad. In fact I wouldn’t look twice at watermelon salad recipes. I don’t know, I just had this thing about wanting my watermelon plain and not adding it to vegetables.
Then I think back to my days of counseling when I’d encourage my clients or patients to try new combinations and they would tell me that they didn’t like “x” or “y” and I’d think “have you really given it a chance?”. Yeah, that’s basically what I was doing. I was remembering a dish I tried once a long long time ago (and didn’t like) and being stubborn.
So when I stared down a leftover half of watermelon I had in the fridge, I challenged myself to make a “salad” with it. I guess you can call this a fruit salad of sorts, but with the cucumber, onion and drizzle of lime/olive oil, it’s part veggie salad too.
One thing I can’t come around to is the addition of feta (which is a common ingredient in watermelon salad), so feel free to add that in if you’d like. Just cheese and watermelon….I am not there yet.
Needless to say, a plant based side like this is not only pretty to look at, it’s packed with nutrition- fiber, antioxidants and low calorie goodness.
Overall, I still prefer my watermelon straight up, but I definitely enjoyed this combo more than I imagined. And we paired with some grilled chicken tacos so it made a refreshing, healthy side.
[Tweet “An Easy and Healthy Summer Side- Watermelon Cucumber Salad #glutenfree #vegan”]
- ~6 cups watermelon chunks (small bite size works best), ~1/2 small seedless watermelon
- 3 cups cucumber chunks
- ¾ cup red onion, vertical slices (~ ½ onion)
- 2 oranges, peel removed, cut into chunks
- ½ cup fresh mint, chopped
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 3 Tablespoons fresh lime juice
- salt to taste before serving
- Combine all ingredients in a large non-reactive bowl. Lightly season with salt before serving.
So are you a watermelon salad fan? What do you think of adding feta in here?
Roasted Tomato Salsa
Easy Vegetable Soup
Cheesy Chicken and Rice Skillet
Baked Chicken Tacos
What a great combination of fruit and vegetables.
Thanks Joyce! Hope you guys are surviving the summer heat.
I’m a watermelon lover in all ways, so I would totally go for this. I make a watermelon salsa, sometimes with cucumber, and I would totally add feta or goat cheese to this salad. Maybe one day you’ll get there!
I have seen a watermelon salsa and I also thought those people were crazy. Lol. But I get it, with the onion and herbs, it works.
Oooh I love watermelon! This looks so refreshing and tasty!
Liz recently posted..Staying on Track with Journal Menu
Thanks Liz, it was!
This salad is perfect for hot summer days. I would definitely add feta in here, but that’s probably because I love cheese so much!
Lisa @ Healthy Nibbles & Bits recently posted..Cilantro Chicken Fajitas with Pan-Fried Plantains
I will try it next time (maybe). 😉
Ok I just adore watermelon, anytime I can bring it to the table and call it dinner, well sign me up 🙂 This looks fabulous and so healthy!
Sam @ PancakeWarriors recently posted..7 Minute Marinara Sauce
Thank you Sam. It’s the perfect summer fruit. 🙂
I think I need to get on the watermelon salad train too!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine recently posted..Italian Polenta Pizza
Ha, go for it! I really did like it more than I thought!
This is just perfect for the summer…how refreshing, colorful and healthy..lovely pics as well..Thanks for sharing
Thank you! 🙂
This looks like such a refreshing and colorful summer salad! I’ve got a half a watermelon sitting on the kitchen counter, so I know what I’m making later!
Sarah recently posted..Power House Salmon Salad
Thank you Sarah! Enjoy! xo
How beautiful is that! Wow, stunning presentation 🙂 I can just imagine all those great, yet light, flavors together 🙂 Great recipe!
Amanda | The Chunky Chef recently posted..Friday Favorites #269 – Back to School
Thank you Amanda. I had my doubts, but it was pretty tasty.
This looks so lovely and fresh. Remind me of summer. I will definite be making this.
cristie @ Little Big H recently posted..Warm Lentil, Potato & Corn salad with a yoghurt dressing
Thank you Cristie! It’s definitely a summer side!
I love the inclusion of fruits in savory preparations. This is right up my alley
Mireille recently posted..Refreshing Summer Coolers
Thank you! I am glad I gave it another chance.
Fresh and beautiful…..love it….
so fresh! Yum!!
Tracy @ Served From Scratch recently posted..Jalapeno Poppers From Scratch
I am right there with you on the whole watermelon cheese thing. I can’t even bring myself to try it. The only fancy I do with my watermelon is sometimes infuse some tequila with it 🙂
pam recently posted..Heirloom Tomato, Harissa and Green Olive Bruschetta
Menie,
The salad looks so refreshing! I am going to make this for sure!
Watermelon and cucumber together sound so refreshing!
Patti @ CooksRecipeCollection.com recently posted..Four Cheese Crepes
Yum! I’d add goat cheese! Creamier than feta and so good!
Erin @ Thanks for Cookin ‘! recently posted..Double Chocolate Salted Caramel Truffles
This looks awesome. So refreshing for a hot summer day!
Meredith @ The Weekday Gourmet recently posted..{Eggless} Coconut Macaroons
This looks delicious– and a watermelon salad without feta! They always have feta– I needed new inspiration 🙂 I will eat watermelon anyway– plain, blended into smoothies, in a salad– I love it!
Michelle @ Vitamin Sunshine recently posted..Double Dark Chocolate Chunk Cookies (Gluten Free, Vegan)
It just doesn’t get any fresher than this! Can’t wait to try this salad 🙂