Our Most-Saved Watermelon Recipe Is a ‘Revelation’—and It’s Only 6 Ingredients

Sometimes all you need is a spoon to devour a fresh, juicy watermelon—but there are plenty of ways to dress it up to satisfy a crowd. None is more loved than our most-saved watermelon recipe: a simple Watermelon Salad. Sure, it’s a salad—but don’t let that stop you from making it. The six-ingredient recipe creates a refreshing, citrusy dish so irresistible, you’ll find yourself returning for seconds.

Why Watermelon Salad Is a Community Favorite

I can always appreciate a fresh, juicy watermelon salad and the Allrecipes community agrees. Plus, this simple recipe uses just six ingredients: cubed watermelon, red onions, lime juice, English cucumbers, feta cheese, and cilantro, plus a little salt and pepper to round everything out.

The result is a crisp, delightful salad with a contrast of juicy, creamy, and crunchy textures as well as salty and sweet flavors. Cucumbers bring a clean, cool bite while crumbles of feta cheese add some much-needed salty richness.

Cilantro can bring vibrant earthiness to dishes, particularly to fresh salads. As for the red onions, marinating them in lime juice is a must. The acid removes some of the pungent, sharp flavor that comes with raw onions. As a result, the sweetness from the watermelon is also brightened by the acid from the lime-marinated ingredient.

Tips and Substitutions for Watermelon Salad

If you don’t have certain ingredients or want to change the recipe to your liking, here are some suggestions.

1. Substitute mint or basil for cilantro. Some reviewers don’t have the right tastebuds for cilantro, while others just prefer the taste of mint or basil. Whatever your herb of choice, you can’t go wrong.
2. Add some spice. For a little heat, add some fresh or pickled jalapeños, or sprinkle Tajín over the finished product for a zesty, spicy taste. Watermelon with Tajín is one of my favorite snacks.
3. Use balsamic vinegar. For a slightly acidic punch, use balsamic vinegar.

Allrecipes Community Praise

• “Love it! So delicious! I’ve made it with both cilantro and mint, and either way, it’s awesome!” says reviewer Carrielala. “Very refreshing on a hot day or on the side with a spicy meal. It’s also so easy to make, you just can’t go wrong. I can’t get enough of it! Thanks for posting.”
• “Watermelon salad is a revelation! Who would have thought! I heard about it years ago from a friend who swore it was delicious,” says reviewer Goldie Gal. “I finally decided to give it a go – and now it is going to be a regular for my summer BBQ’s! The only thing different I did was to drizzle some olive oil on it. I found that it…finished it off well.”
• “Yum! I used mint from my garden instead. It was sooooo amazing,” says reviewer SaraDoll24. “I should have been embarrassed with how much I complimented myself on making this! It is my new favorite way to eat watermelon.”
• “LOVED this! I figured I would like it, but this salad really wowed me,” says reviewer CookinBug. “I love the sharp contrast of flavors; the saltiness of the feta plays off the watermelon so nicely. I did have to use lemon juice, as I was out of limes. Definitely will make this again.”

Get the recipe: Watermelon Salad