Published: Apr 18, 2024 · Modified: Aug 31, 2024 by Angela · This post may contain affiliate links · 48 Comments

Mexican Watermelon Cucumber Salad

Name: Mexican Watermelon Cucumber Salad
Prep time: 15 min
Ingredients: 1/2 personal size seedless watermelon (diced into bite-size pieces); 1 English cucumber (sliced thinly into 1/2 rounds); 1/2 C hulled/shelled pepitas ((pumpkin seeds)); 1/4 large red onion (diced small); 1 TB olive oil; 3 TB lime juice; 1/2 TB red wine vinegar; 1 TB Tajin seasoning blend; 2 TB Tajin seasoning blend; salt & pepper; 1/4 C fresh herbs chopped (combo cilantro, flat-leaf parsley, and/or basil - any mix you prefer)

Jump to Recipe

Stop right here for a refreshing summer favorite, Mexican Watermelon Cucumber Salad with the best Tajin dressing ever. It's sweet, spicy, & cool in every yummy bite.

mexican watermelon cucumber salad in a bowl with a wedge of lime and tajin seasoning to the side

Why this Watermelon Salad Recipe is Amazing: It's a healthy & colorful side for your Mexican favorites like tacos, enchiladas, or burritos.

This gourmet yet easy way to serve watermelon is what I came up when I had a large watermelon from Costco that I needed to use up. I think you will love the crunchy & juicy combination.

Bowl of diced watermelon, pepitas, and chopped cucumber with Mexican dressing.

Like my Spicy Asian Cucumber Salad, this is a summer favorite side dish. It goes great with anything off the BBQ like Grilled Jalapeno Poppers or BBQ Boneless Chicken Breasts.

Ingredients for Mexican Watermelon Salad

This recipe is loaded with fresh summer produce. The fruit & vegetables come together for the best refreshing summer salad.

This watermelon salad has no feta, it's vegan & dairy-free. Here is what is needed to make this salad recipe:

mexican watermelon cucumber salad ingredients

Seedless watermelon - diced into small bite-sized pieces for the sweetness.
Seedless cucumber - sliced thin & chopped into small bite-sized pieces for the savory flavor.
Toasted pepitas (hulled pumpkin seeds) - for a nutty taste and to add crunch
Red onion - for a sharp kick
Dressing - lime, red wine vinegar & olive oil.
Tajin - the clasico seasoning blend of lime, mild chilies & salt that adds a tart zing & citrus flavor.
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.

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.

pepitas in a dry pan cooking on the stove

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.

mexican watermelon cucumber salad ready to assemble the short order cook

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.

diced watermelon and cucumbers with cilantro, red onion. & pumpkin seeds in a large glass salad bowl.

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.

Two photos of watermelon and cucumber salad with fresh herbs.

Recipe Tips & Behind the Scenes

Here is my recipe for success - including what I learned when testing, funny stories or bloopers, and more.

#1 Tip - Don't skip letting the diced watermelon drain in the colander to release excess juices so the salad isn't soggy.
Make sure to use fresh watermelon that is not soft or mealy - otherwise the pieces will fall apart & be mushy.
Be sure to not leave the pepitas unattended when toasting them on the stove - they cook quickly & can burn easily (I have done this before!)
For extra spicy flavor, add diced jalapenos.
This is a great make ahead salad that is ideal for potlucks & backyard BBQ cookouts since it can sit out safely for hours.

Mexican Watermelon Cucumber Salad

Angela

A refreshing summer salad with the zing of Tajin added to watermelon, cucumber, and toasted pepitas. This simple recipe is a great side dish with all your Mexican favorites - tacos, enchiladas, & tortas.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15

Course Salad

Cuisine Mexican

Servings

Calories 131 kcal

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

This recipe is low-fat, low-calorie, gluten-free, & vegetarian.

SUBSTITUTIONS & VARIATIONS:

SPICY - add diced jalapenos for a kick & some heat.
MIXED MELON - instead of just watermelon make it a combo by adding diced cantaloupe & honeydew.

STORING:

Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Excess juices may release while it sits, drain any from the bottom before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 131kcalCarbohydrates: 24gProtein: 3gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.003gSodium: 4mgPotassium: 414mgFiber: 2gSugar: 18gVitamin A: 1643IUVitamin C: 26mgCalcium: 29mgIron: 1mg

Keyword barbecue, fruit, gluten-free, grain-free, party, picnic, potluck, summer, vegan, vegetarian

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

More Summer Salads with Fruit

Here are some similar recipes:

« Homemade Ranch Dressing Without Mayo

Sheet Pan Sausage and Veggies »

Ingredients for Mexican Watermelon Salad

How to Make Watermelon Cucumber Salad

Make the Tajin Dressing & Toss

Recipe Tips & Behind the Scenes

Mexican Watermelon Cucumber Salad

Ingredients 1x2x3x4x

Dressing Ingredients:

Salad Toppings:

Instructions

Notes

Nutrition

More Summer Salads with Fruit

Reader Interactions

Comments

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Ingredients