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Fresh Cucumber Watermelon Salad with Feta and Basil

fresh cucumber watermelon salad - featured image
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A bright and refreshing summer salad combining juicy watermelon, crunchy cucumber, salty feta, and fresh basil with a light lime-honey dressing. Perfect for quick preparation and summer gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups diced seedless watermelon (about 1/4 of a medium watermelon)
  • 2 medium cucumbers, peeled and thinly sliced or diced
  • 1 cup crumbled feta cheese
  • 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped
  • 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (juice of 1 lime)
  • 1 teaspoon honey or agave syrup
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Cut about 4 cups of seedless watermelon into roughly 1-inch cubes, being gentle to keep pieces intact.
  2. Peel 2 medium English cucumbers if needed, then slice or dice into pieces similar in size to the watermelon.
  3. Thinly slice 1/4 cup of red onion if using; soak in cold water for 5 minutes and drain to mellow flavor if desired.
  4. Roughly chop 1/2 cup of fresh basil leaves and pat dry.
  5. In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, 2 tablespoons lime juice, and 1 teaspoon honey or agave. Season lightly with salt and pepper and adjust to taste.
  6. In a large mixing bowl, gently toss the watermelon, cucumber, red onion, and basil.
  7. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss carefully to coat evenly.
  8. Sprinkle 1 cup crumbled feta cheese on top and toss very gently to mix without breaking up the feta too much.
  9. Refrigerate the salad for 15-20 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld while keeping it crisp and refreshing.

Notes

Use a sharp knife to avoid crushing the watermelon. Pat basil dry to prevent watering down the salad. Adjust salt carefully as feta adds saltiness. Chill salad for best flavor but serve within 24 hours to avoid sogginess. Optional ingredients like red onion can be soaked to mellow flavor. Variations include vegan options by omitting feta or adding nuts.

Nutrition

Keywords: watermelon salad, cucumber salad, feta cheese, basil, summer salad, refreshing salad, easy salad recipe, healthy salad

Find it online: https://siennaspoon.com/fresh-cucumber-watermelon-salad-with-feta-and-basil-easy-recipe-for-summer-refreshment/