Say hello to your new summer obsession: Smashed Cucumber and Watermelon Feta Salad! This vibrant, refreshingly cool salad combines juicy watermelon, crisp cucumbers, creamy avocado, crunchy pistachios – all coated in a tangy, herby feta dressing. It’s seriously a flavor party in every bite, and almost too pretty to eat… almost.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ridiculously Refreshing: Every bite is juicy, crisp, and cooling—the ultimate antidote to summer heat or heavy meals.
- Layered Textures: From crunchy pistachios to creamy avocado and crumbly feta, you’re in for a delightful mix with every forkful.
- Showstopper Looks: The bright colors of watermelon, cucumber, and fresh herbs make this salad the centerpiece of any table.
- Wholesome, Easy, and Fast: Minimal prep and maximum flavor mean you’ll have this on the table in 15 minutes—no oven required.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Smashed Cucumber and Watermelon Feta Salad lies in its handful of vibrant, fresh ingredients. Each one brings its own character, from the sweet juiciness of watermelon to the salty tang of feta—together, they make magic!
- Persian cucumbers: Tiny, crunchy, and almost seedless, these bring irresistible freshness and hold up beautifully when smashed.
- Watermelon: Sweet and juicy, watermelon adds a pop of color and is the backbone of the salad’s summer flavor.
- Avocado: Creamy cubes of avocado mellow out the salty and sweet, adding a luxurious texture.
- Salted pistachios: For irresistible crunch, nutty depth, and an unexpected twist—don’t skip them!
- Fresh basil: Torn or left whole, basil leaves add herbal brightness and take this salad up a notch.
- Feta cheese: Salty, tangy, and richly creamy—crumbled into the dressing for flavor in every bite.
- Extra virgin olive oil: Quality matters! It brings silkiness and ties the dressing together.
- Lemon juice: Brightens the salad and balances the flavors with a gentle zing.
- Honey: Just a touch to enhance the watermelon and balance the tangy feta.
- Fresh dill: A sprinkle of dill adds an herby, citrusy note that’s perfect for summer salads.
- Kosher salt & black pepper: Essential seasonings to open up all the flavors.
- Chili flakes: A pinch for gentle heat, if you like a little extra sparkle.
Variations
One of my favorite things about Smashed Cucumber and Watermelon Feta Salad is how easily you can make it your own! Whether you want to experiment with flavors, use up what’s in your fridge, or need to work around allergies, there are endless (and delicious) possibilities.
- Vegan Friendly: Swap out feta for a vegan cheese or use crumbled tofu mixed with lemon and herbs for a dairy-free option.
- Nut-Free Crunch: Skip the pistachios and use toasted pumpkin seeds (pepitas) for a crunchy, nut-free twist.
- Different Herbs: Try fresh mint or cilantro in place of, or alongside, basil and dill for new herbal profiles.
- Citrus Vibes: Use lime juice instead of lemon and add a sprinkle of zest for a zippy, tropical finish.
How to Make Smashed Cucumber and Watermelon Feta Salad
Step 1: Smash & Chop the Cucumbers
Arrange your Persian cucumbers on a sturdy cutting board, cut side facing up. Place the flat side of a large chef’s knife over the cucumber halves and gently press (or “smash”) down. This cracks the flesh, helping them soak up the dressing. Once smashed, chop them into chunky 1-inch pieces for maximum crunch and surface area.
Step 2: Combine Salad Ingredients
In a spacious salad bowl, gently toss together the smashed cucumber chunks, juicy watermelon cubes, creamy avocado pieces, salty pistachios, and a handful of fresh basil leaves. This is the rainbow moment—it should look vibrant and inviting!
Step 3: Whip Up the Feta Dressing
Crumble the feta cheese into a mixing bowl. Add extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, honey, and chopped fresh dill. Season with kosher salt, black pepper, and a pinch of chili flakes to your taste. Use a fork or spoon to mix everything together, letting the feta partially break down into creamy, tangy crumbles.
Step 4: Toss It All Together and Serve
Drizzle the herby, tangy feta dressing over the salad. Use a large spoon or your hands to gently fold and coat everything—being careful not to mash the avocado. Serve your Smashed Cucumber and Watermelon Feta Salad right away, alongside fresh pita or chips. Enjoy every bite!
Pro Tips for Making Smashed Cucumber and Watermelon Feta Salad
- Smashed, Not Soggy: Smash cucumbers just enough to crack the flesh—this helps them soak up flavor without turning mushy.
- Ripest Watermelon Wins: Use the sweetest, juiciest watermelon you can find—the flavor and texture shine in every forkful.
- Make the Dressing Separately: Mixing feta with the other dressing ingredients before tossing ensures even flavor and luxurious creaminess.
- Serve Immediately: For the freshest taste and best texture, assemble and dress the salad just before serving to prevent sogginess.
How to Serve Smashed Cucumber and Watermelon Feta Salad
Garnishes
Finish your Smashed Cucumber and Watermelon Feta Salad with a flourish: sprinkle extra pistachios and fresh basil or dill on top for bonus color and texture. A final pinch of flaky sea salt or a few chili flakes will make the flavors pop even more. And if you want to up the freshness, a squeeze of lemon or a drizzle of good olive oil brings everything together beautifully.
Side Dishes
This salad shines on its own but absolutely loves company. Serve it with warm pita, grilled chicken skewers, or even simple grilled fish. It’s also brilliant as a BBQ side or as part of a mezze platter alongside hummus, olives, and roasted vegetables. Basically, wherever you’d serve a classic summer salad, Smashed Cucumber and Watermelon Feta Salad is an upgrade!
Creative Ways to Present
For a showstopping presentation, assemble the salad in a shallow platter so every color shines through. Layer cucumber and watermelon cubes in loose rows, dot with avocado and feta, then scatter herbs and nuts right before serving. Or, make individual mason jar salads for a picnic or party—just layer the dressing at the bottom and stack the rest on top for shake-and-serve fun!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers (lucky you!), keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one day. The cucumbers and watermelon will release some juices, so the texture may soften a bit—but the flavors get even more vibrant by the next day. For best results, store the dressing separately and toss just before serving.
Freezing
This is one dish best enjoyed fresh, so it’s not recommended for freezing. The watermelon and cucumbers will lose their lovely, crisp bite and turn watery once thawed. If you want to prep ahead, you can make the dressing up to three days in advance and chop the vegetables just before serving.
Reheating
No reheating required—Smashed Cucumber and Watermelon Feta Salad is meant to be enjoyed chilled or at room temperature. If serving from the fridge, let it sit for 10-15 minutes to take off the chill and let the flavors shine!
FAQs
-
Can I use English cucumbers instead of Persian cucumbers?
Absolutely! English cucumbers work well—just be sure to scoop out some of the seeds if they’re very watery, and cut them into manageable chunks. The flavor will still be fantastic.
-
What can I substitute for feta if I don’t eat dairy?
To make it dairy-free, use a vegan feta or crumbled tofu mixed with a splash of lemon and olive oil. You’ll still get that creamy, tangy element in your Smashed Cucumber and Watermelon Feta Salad.
-
Can I make this salad ahead for a party?
You can prepare the ingredients (smash and chop, dice, and cube everything) a few hours ahead and keep them refrigerated. Toss with dressing just before serving for the freshest taste and texture.
-
Is it spicy with the chili flakes?
Only very mildly—the chili flakes add a gentle warmth rather than true heat. Feel free to adjust or omit them to suit your taste, or add a pinch more for a bolder kick in your Smashed Cucumber and Watermelon Feta Salad.
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving a burst of summer on your plate, you have to try this Smashed Cucumber and Watermelon Feta Salad. It’s light, totally satisfying, and comes together in minutes—perfect for backyard BBQs, lunch al fresco, or whenever you want to wow with color and flavor. Happy salad making, friends!
Print
Smashed Cucumber and Watermelon Feta Salad Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 0 mins
- Total Time: 15 mins
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: No-Cook
- Method: No-Cook
Description
A refreshing and flavorful Smashed Cucumber and Watermelon Feta Salad that combines the crispness of cucumbers with the sweetness of watermelon, creaminess of avocado, and the tanginess of feta cheese. Topped with a zesty feta dressing, this salad is perfect for a light and summery meal or as a side dish at a barbecue.
Ingredients
For the Salad:
- 4–6 Persian cucumbers, sliced in half lengthwise
- 4 cups cubed watermelon
- 1–2 avocados, diced
- 1/3 cup salted pistachios, chopped
For the Feta Dressing:
- 8 oz feta cheese
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tsp honey
- 1/2 cup fresh basil
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh dill
- kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
- chili flakes, to taste
Instructions
- Smash the Cucumbers: Arrange the cucumbers on a cutting board, flesh side facing up. Use the flat side of a chef’s knife to smash the cucumbers, then chop them into 1-inch pieces.
- Prepare the Salad: In a salad bowl, combine the smashed cucumbers, watermelon, avocado, pistachios, and basil leaves.
- Make the Feta Dressing: In a separate bowl, crumble the feta cheese and mix in olive oil, lemon juice, honey, dill, salt, pepper, and chili flakes.
- Toss and Serve: Gently toss the salad with the feta dressing. Serve with pita and chips.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
