Watermelon Cucumber Salad with Tajin (Printable)

Juicy watermelon and crisp cucumber brightened with lime, cilantro and Tajín for a zesty, refreshing summer side.

# What You Need:

→ Produce

01 - 4 cups seedless watermelon, cut into 1-inch cubes
02 - 2 cups English cucumber, thinly sliced
03 - 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced (optional)
04 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

→ Dressing & Seasoning

05 - 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (about 1 lime)
06 - Zest of 1 lime
07 - 1 to 2 teaspoons Tajín seasoning, to taste
08 - Pinch of sea salt
09 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Optional Garnishes

10 - 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled (optional)
11 - Extra lime wedges, for serving

# How To Make It:

01 - In a large bowl, combine the cubed watermelon, thinly sliced cucumber, thinly sliced red onion (if using) and chopped cilantro; gently fold to mix without breaking the fruit.
02 - Whisk together the fresh lime juice and lime zest, then sprinkle the Tajín, sea salt and a few grinds of black pepper over the salad; pour the dressing over the produce and toss gently until evenly coated.
03 - Taste and adjust with additional Tajín or lime juice as needed to balance heat and acidity.
04 - Serve immediately for best texture or refrigerate for about 10 minutes to meld flavors and serve cold.
05 - If desired, finish with crumbled feta and lime wedges at the table; offer avocado slices or fresh mint as alternative garnishes.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The contrast of juicy watermelon with tangy, spicy Tajin is a secret that instantly wakes up your taste buds.
  • It’s my guaranteed trick for impressing guests when I don’t have time or energy for anything complicated.
02 -
  • If you toss everything too vigorously, the watermelon can break down and turn mushy—so be gentle.
  • Holding back the Tajin at first lets each person season to their heat tolerance, avoiding accidental spice overload.
03 -
  • Letting the salad rest for 10 minutes in the fridge before serving melds the flavors without making anything soggy.
  • Zesting the lime before cutting it open avoids slippery mishaps.
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