Watermelon and Cucumber Salad with Pistachios and Feta

Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

This watermelon and cucumber salad recipe with feta cheese and pistachios is so light and refreshing! Great salad for a summer day. The sweet and savory notes, balanced by the lime salad dressing, make it a sweet and savory salad that’s truly irresistible. The sweet watermelon and the feta cheese makes a great pairing. Then the salty feta cheese with the rich pistachios and the sweet dressing..oh my! The first time I made this we were hooked.

Here’s What You Will Need:

juice of 4 limes
zest of 1 lime
1/4 teaspoon of sea salt
1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
2 teaspoons of pure maple syrup or 2 teaspoons of sugar
1/4 cup of olive oil
1/2 small watermelon
2 small English cucumbers
crumbled or block feta
shelled pistachios

Prepping Your Watermelon and Cucumber Salad Ingredients

You really don’t have to cube the cucumber and watermelon but it adds a nice look when presenting the salad. I usually cube the watermelon and cucumber in equal sizes and create a checkerboard in a 9 x 13 dish. When you add the cheese, pistachios, and dressing on the top, your guests will be in awe!

Whipping Up the Tangy Lime Dressing

The dressing for the salad is very easy to put together. Grate the rind of a lime, then juice that lime and three more. Sea salt and pepper, pure maple syrup, and olive oil round out the dressing. The sweetener is pure maple syrup. Not pancake maple syrup. Pure maple syrup. It sweetens the dressing just as well as sugar and it has a lower glycemic index. Plus pure maple syrup tends to be a touch sweeter.

The pistachios: the Perfect Crunch for Your Salad

There is feta that is already crumbled and there is feta that comes in blocks. Both forms of feta work fine. I prefer the block feta because it is usually still in its brine and has a much better taste. The feta that comes in blocks gives you a consistent presentation with the cubed watermelon and cucumber. Crumbled feta works just fine if you are unable to use a block of feta. The pistachios add a rich flavor to the salad. Pistachios are available already shelled to make things easier.

I hope your family loves the watermelon and cucumber salad recipe as much as mine does! This easy side dish is perfect for any gathering and truly a fruit salad you’ll come back to all summer long.

This salad goes well with the two ingredient turkey burgers!

Can I make the watermelon and cucumber salad ahead of time?

Yes, but it’s best to add the dressing and pistachios just before serving to keep everything fresh and crunchy.

Do I have to cube the watermelon and cucumber?

No, but cubing them makes for a beautiful presentation, especially in a checkerboard pattern.

What kind of feta cheese works best?

Block feta is preferred for better flavor and texture, but crumbled feta also works in a pinch.

Can I substitute the maple syrup in the dressing?

Pure maple syrup is recommended, but you can use honey or agave nectar as alternatives.

Are there nut-free alternatives to pistachios?

Yes, you can use roasted sunflower seeds or omit the nuts entirely for a nut-free version.

What main dishes pair well with this salad?

This salad pairs beautifully with grilled meats, especially turkey burgers, chicken, or seafood.

Please visit my sides and salads page for more ideas! Like my make ahead layered salad.