Southern-Style Chilled Watermelon and Cucumber Salad with Mint
A refreshing Southern-style chilled salad combining juicy watermelon, crisp cucumber, and fragrant mint, perfect as a light and cooling side dish on warm days.
Ingredients
Check ingredients as you go.
- Salad Base
- Herbs
- Dressing
- Seasoning
Let’s make it
Salad Base
Prepare the watermelon by removing the rind and cutting the flesh into 1-inch cubes. Place the cubes into a large mixing bowl.
Salad Base
Peel the cucumber, then dice it into small pieces similar in size to the watermelon cubes. Add the cucumber to the mixing bowl.
Herbs
Roughly chop the fresh mint leaves and add them to the bowl with the watermelon and cucumber.
Dressing
In a small bowl, whisk together the fresh lime juice and honey until combined and the honey is dissolved.
Dressing
Pour the lime juice and honey dressing over the watermelon, cucumber, and mint in the large bowl. Gently toss to evenly coat the ingredients.
Seasoning
Season the salad with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Toss lightly again to distribute the seasoning.
Finishing
Cover the salad bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to chill and let the flavors meld before serving.
Tips & notes
For a slightly spicy twist, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a few thin slices of jalapeño. Use seedless watermelon for easier preparation and a cleaner texture. Adjust the lime juice and honey ratio to your preferred balance of tangy and sweet.
Saving it for later
Store leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Stir gently before serving as some juices may separate.
Reheating
This salad is best served chilled and is not recommended to be reheated. Remove from refrigerator about 10 minutes before serving to slightly soften the chilled flavors.
