Are you ready for the most amazing side dish to serve with tacos, tortas, enchiladas, or burritos. Stop right here for a refreshing summer favorite, Mexican Watermelon Cucumber Salad with the best Tajin dressing ever. It's sweet, juicy, spicy, & cool in every yummy bite.
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Ingredients for Mexican Watermelon Salad
This recipe is loaded with fresh summer produce. The fruit & vegetables come together for a crisp, crunchy, & juicy combination. It's sweet, savory, spicy, & salty in every yummy bite.
Here is what is needed to make this salad recipe:
- Seedless watermelon - juicy and refreshing
- Seedless cucumber - for color and a cool crisp texture
- Toasted pepitas (hulled pumpkin seeds) - for a nutty taste and to add some crunch
- Red onion - for a sharp kick
- Dressing - lime, red wine vinegar & olive oil to add to the citrus blend in the Tajin
- Tajin - the clasico seasoning blend of lime, mild chilies & salt that adds a tart zing
- Fresh herbs to add a sprinkle of earthiness - cilantro and/or basil or flatleaf parsley or combination all work.
- Salt & Pepper - to taste
See the full recipe including amounts below in the recipe card.
Note: this is dairy-free & has no cheese (feta is common in other recipes). It is also gluten-free, paleo, Whole30, vegan, & vegetarian.
How to Make Watermelon Cucumber Salad
This watermelon salad recipe is so easy and can be made in about 15 minutes. Here are the easy steps for prepping the ingredients:
- Dice the watermelon & place in a colander in your clean sink. This allows excess water to drain - no soggy salad!
- Toast the pumpkin seeds in a dry pan over medium heat. Set aside to cool.
- Chop the cucumbers (skin on or off is ok) & the red onion.
- Chop any fresh herbs you may be using.
Make the Tajin Dressing & Toss
In a large serving bowl, add the watermelon that has been draining, the cucumber slices, and the toasted pepitas that have cooled down.
Whisk the dressing ingredients in a small bowl. Pour the dressing over the watermelon, cucumber, and pepitas.
Add the red onion and sprinkle 1 tablespoon of the Tajin over everything. Combine gently with a large slotted spoon. Add the fresh herbs to the top and toss to combine.
Serve & enjoy immediately. Look how pretty, colorful, & fresh that looks.
It goes great with my recipe for Potato Enchiladas or a Carnitas Burrito. This is best fresh and chilled in the refrigerator. Store any leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Mexican Watermelon Cucumber Salad
Ingredients
- ½ personal size seedless watermelon diced into bite-size pieces
- 1 English cucumber sliced thinly into ½ rounds
- ½ C hulled/shelled pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
- ¼ large red onion diced small
Dressing Ingredients:
- 1 TB olive oil
- 3 TB lime juice
- ½ TB red wine vinegar
- 1 TB Tajin seasoning blend
Salad Toppings:
- 2 TB Tajin seasoning blend
- salt & pepper
- ¼ C fresh herbs chopped combo cilantro, flat-leaf parsley, and/or basil - any mix you prefer
Instructions
- Dice the watermelon into bite-sized pieces. As you dice, place pieces in a colander in the sink. The watermelon will release juice and you want that to drain to ensure the salad does not get soggy.
- Toast the pepitas in a dry saute pan over medium heat on the stove. It should take about 5 minutes. Make sure to toss often to ensure an even toast on both sides. Once toasted golden brown, turn off the heat and move the pan to the side so that they can cool before adding to the salad.½ C hulled/shelled pepitas
- Dice the red onion and fresh herbs into small dice, and then set them aside.
- Combine the dressing ingredients in a small bowl and whisk to combine.1 TB olive oil, 3 TB lime juice, ½ TB red wine vinegar, 1 TB Tajin seasoning blend
- In a large serving bowl add the watermelon, cucumber, onion, and the cool pepitas.½ personal size seedless watermelon, 1 English cucumber, ¼ large red onion
- Pour the dressing over the ingredients in the bowl and stir gently with a large slotted spoon. Once combined, sprinkle over the top 1 TB of the Tajin, salt, pepper, and fresh herbs. Gently stir to combine. Top with the final 1 TB of Tajin.2 TB Tajin seasoning blend, ¼ C fresh herbs chopped
- Serve immediately using a slotted spoon. Best if enjoyed right away but will stay crisp and fresh for at least 30 minutes.
Notes
Nutrition Facts | |
---|---|
Servings: 8 | |
Amount per serving | |
Calories | 81 |
% Daily Value* | |
Total Fat 2.8g | 4% |
Saturated Fat 0.5g | 3% |
Cholesterol 0mg | 0% |
Sodium 302mg | 13% |
Total Carbohydrate 14.6g | 5% |
Dietary Fiber 1.1g | 4% |
Total Sugars 10.4g | |
Protein 1.9g | |
Vitamin D 0mcg | 0% |
Calcium 21mg | 2% |
Iron 1mg | 4% |
Potassium 247mg | 5% |
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calorie a day is used for general nutrition advice. |
Caroline Parrott says
Oh! This looks good-ideal Summer picnic food. I have a kid whose favorite foods are watermelon and cucumber, too.
Angela says
Caroline - that is great. I cannot wait to hear how your kid likes this. It is also easy to have them help in the kitchen to make it. My son helps but it is hard to keep him from eating all the watermelon before I get it in the bowl!
Beth Balberchak says
I've got all these ingredients! I'm going to give this a try.
Angela says
Awesome - it is a great salad and I am sure you will like it. I would love to hear how it turns out and what you think. Come back and drop me a comment please.
Joanne says
Looks amazingly simple and delicious! Great summer treat!
Kate says
I can't wait to try this! I'm not a fan of olives, but LOVE watermelon. This recipe is the perfect solution! Thank you!
Angela says
Happy to hear I can provide a watermelon salad solution - enjoy!
Holly Bird says
This looks amazing! I pinned it for later so I can give this yummy recipe a try! Thanks
Angela says
Great, enjoy
Jennifer says
This combo looks so tasty!!!
Haley Kelley says
This looks so good!!! Definitely trying it with friends this summer!
Angela says
I hope you all love it.
Cynthia Mackintosh says
I don't think I've ever seen a watermelon salad before! This looks so interesting and good that I might have to seriously give this recipe a shot.
Angela says
I hope you try it; it is seriously great!
jen says
This looks light and refreshing and perfect for summer
Kymberly Irwin says
Can't wait to try this!!!!!!!
Kyndall Bennett says
I have never considered adding seasoning to watermelon, but it looks like it would be an interesting recipe to try.
Angela says
Try it, it really adds some "pow" to the watermelon.
Dena says
This sounds AH-MAZING! Pinning this for later!!
Angela says
Thank you
Tricia Snow says
What an interesting combination of flavors! I can't wait to try it!
Kendra says
I've never tried tajin seasoning, but it sounds perfect with watermelon!
Leigh Ann says
Your watermelon salad looks so refreshing and unique! Thanks for sharing it.
Karie says
My kids love anything with Tajin on it. I need to try this.
Suzan says
I've never tried Tajin seasoning. This looks so appetizing I may have to hunt some down 🙂
Shirley says
This looks delicious and so colorful and fun for summer meals. Love it!
Adrienne Redelings says
This looks delicious! We have this on the menu this week she this looks like the perfect side! I can't wait to try it.
Angela says
I cannot wait to hear what you think.
Magan says
This looks fantastic! Great for the upcoming holiday when it’s so hot outside.
Karla says
My kids are notoriously awful about trying new things. So I am always looking for things that contain what I know they like and adding a different taste. They LOVE watermelon!!!!! Even if they only pick out the watermelon, they will be introduced to a new taste and once they decide they like the new taste, they are often led to try the other parts of the dish. Crossing my fingers on this one. And if they only eat the watermelon anyway, I win! I'll get the rest of the salad! lOL
Angela says
Great plan, crossing fingers too!
Alexandra says
Great post! thank you for sharing! sounds like something my 3yo would absolutely love
Laura Lee says
I seriously bookmarked this. My husband doesn't like cucumbers so if I make it, I'll get it all to myself! And, that's fine by me.
Michele says
This looks delicious! I bet it would go great with the jalapeño mule!
Angela says
I think you are onto something magical, Michele.
Cindy says
I love watermelon and I’m excited to try this recipe. Thank you for not adding cheese!! 😉
Angela says
You are welcome - enjoy the cheese-free version!
Jennifer Morrison says
This sounds amazing!!! I love Watermelon and Tajin. I think that this salad would be amazing!!! Thanks for sharing.
Lina says
This looks amazing! I have all these ingredients and will have to make them today. Happy 4th!
Emily says
WOAH! This looks so yummy! Perfect for a holiday weekend!
T.M. Brown says
This looks like a very interesting recipe ~ flavors I would have never thought would go together. Going to have to give this a try.
Angela says
Pls do try it out, I think you will be pleasantly surprised!
Marianne says
Sounds perfect for a summer BBQ! Recipe pinned for later!
Angela says
It sure is great for summer and thanks for pinning.
Beth Shields says
This looks so delicious and refreshing...so does the martini. I will be making both likely. Thanks for the recipes.
Angela says
You are welcome.
Dee | Grammy's Grid says
CONGRATS! Your post is FEATURED at my #UnlimitedMonthlyLinkParty 16, open until September 26.
Angela says
Great, thank you.