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Smashed Cucumber and Watermelon Feta Salad. Sweet and juicy watermelon, cucumbers, creamy avocado, and feta cheese are all combined to create a refreshing summer salad that’s easy to create, pretty, and so delicious. Finish this quick and simple salad with smashed-down feta cheese and lemon dressing. Every bite is full of sweet watermelon, crunchy cucumbers, and salty feta cheese. It’s summertime in a salad.
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I’m declaring this the summer of simplicity. And this salad is simple. I always hesitate to share recipes like today’s. But I’ve come to realize that it’s these simple recipes that we all actually need and enjoy most.
Sometimes my brain can really overcomplicate things. But this is the summer I’m sharing only my favorite, favorite recipes. The recipes I know will be quick and simple for us all to enjoy!
And this salad is really just the start. I have so many good recipes coming up throughout the month of July. I can’t wait!
As the 4th of July draws closer by the day, my focus is recipes geared to easy summer grilling and entertaining. When it comes to the ever so popular watermelon salad, I’ve always kept mine as basic as can be. Watermelon mixed with cantaloupe and honeydew. A simple melon salad my mom would always serve at summer parties. No dressing, just the fruit!
But my salad today has the addition of cucumbers, avocado, fresh basil, dill, plus a smashed-down feta cheese dressing. This is so delicious!
Details
Step 1: smash the cucumbers
Lay each cucumber flat on your cutting board, then slice them in half lengthwise. Use the back side of your chef’s knife and smash it down into the cucumber. This should break the flesh. Then slice into 1-inch pieces and add to the salad.
Add the watermelon chunks, avocado chunks, pistachios, and fresh basil.
Step 2: make the dressing
Take a block of feta cheese, place it in a bowl, then use a fork to smash the cheese up into tiny crumbles. Then add olive oil, lemon juice, honey, dill, salt, pepper, and chili flakes.
Very simple but obviously super yummy.
Step 3: toss the salad
When you’re ready, toss the salad with the dressing and serve with additional basil and dill. I love to enjoy this with fresh naan, pita, or chips. But, to be honest, by the spoonful is a really great option too!
A delicious, light, and refreshing summertime salad! The combination of sweet watermelon and salty feta is perfection. Enjoy! Enjoy!
Hoping these extra summery recipes will provide you with inspiration for the upcoming summer weeks, BBQs, and your 4th of July festivities.
Looking for other watermelon recipes, try these:
Frosted Watermelon Rosemary Frosé
Salted Spicy Watermelon Margarita Popsicles
Smoky Watermelon Lemon Margarita
Pink Vodka Watermelon Lemonade
Lastly, if you make this Smashed Cucumber and Watermelon Feta Salad, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Smashed Cucumber and Watermelon Feta Salad
Ingredients
Salad
Feta Dressing
- 8 ounces feta cheese
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons honey
- 1/2 cup fresh basil
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
- kosher salt and black pepper
- chili flakes
Instructions
- 1. Arrange the cucumbers on a cutting board, flesh side facing up. Take the flat side of a chef's knife and smash it into the cucumber, breaking the flesh. Chop into 1 inch pieces. 2. In a salad bowl, toss together the cucumbers, watermelon, avocado, pistachios, and basil leaves. 3. To make the dressing. Crumble the feta cheese into a bowl. Add the olive oil, lemon juice, honey, and dill. Season with salt, pepper, and chili flakes. Mix well, breaking up the feta as you mix. 4. Gently toss the salad with the dressing. Serve with fresh pita and chips. Yum!
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
This salad has been a go to this summer, especially with this Texas heat. I used peanuts instead of pistachios as I had them on hand but turned out fine! That little crunch with all those flavors – perfect! Thank you for sharing this recipe!
Hey Nicole,
Amazing!! Love to hear that this recipe turned out well for you, thanks for making it and Happy Monday! xT
Absolutely LOVE this recipe. I don’t even like watermelon. I think im a convert after making this. It’s so refreshing and perfectly balanced. Making it for the second time this weekend!!!
Hi Lacey,
Love to hear this!! Thanks so much for making this recipe and your feedback! Have a great day! xT
I added cubed cheese and chopped lettuce , no pistachios
We live in AZ this was a wonderful supper for our crazy hot weather , we loved , loved another hit recipe
Hi France,
Happy Wednesday!! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe turned out well for you, thanks a lot for making it! xx
Hey Teighan, this salad looks so yummy and I’m sure we’ll be enjoying it soon, but do you have a trick for prepping avocados early? The avocados in your picture look so beautiful, but I’m always rushing to cut them up at the last minute, so they’ll look good, but it’s stressful AND they never look pretty!😂 Anyhoo, if you have any tips along those lines, I’m all ears, and thanks again for cranking out these amazing recipes every week! You have definitely upped our culinary game around here.🤗
Hi Betsy,
Thanks so much! If you cut your avocado in half and then take a large spoon to scoop out the inside and then cut it, you should have better luck doing it that way! I hope this helps, let me know if you give this recipe a try! xT
Delicious summer salad and so easy to make!
Thanks so much Annie! Love to hear that this recipe turned out well for you and I appreciate you making it! Happy Friday! xT
Love this! It’s so refreshing, we’ll balanced and easy.
Hey Ashley,
Happy Friday!!🍉🥭 I love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks for making it and sharing your comment! xT
Was asked to bring a side dish for a 4th of July party. I chose this recipe and it was a winner-winner chicken dinner- lol! Everyone was asking who brought this dish and if they could have the recipe. I of course diected them to your site! I made this recipe exactly as stated and it was delish! Thanks a million, Tieghan!
Hey Katherine,
Happy Wednesday!!🍊🍋 I appreciate you trying this recipe and your feedback, so glad to hear that it turned out well for you! xx
Hi! Could you do this without the avocado and increase the other ingredients? Avocado tends to make me sick!
Hi Ashley,
I would just simply omit the avocado, no big deal:) I hope this recipe turns out well for you, let me know if you give it a try! xT
Made this yesterday. Could not be more delicious. Refreshing and so tasty!
Hi Sheri,
Amazing!! So glad to hear that this recipe turned out well for you, thanks for making it! Happy 4th of July weekend! 🇺🇸🍓
My favourite salad for this summer. It is SOOO good! I used peanuts instead of pistachios and balsamic vinegar instead of lemon and it was perfect!
Hi Alicia,
Happy Friday!!🇺🇸🫐🍒 Thanks a bunch for trying this recipe out and your comment, I love to hear that it was a winner! xx
I made this last night for dinner, it was AMAZING!
Thanks so much Beth!! Love to hear that this recipe turned out well for you and I appreciate you making it! xT
I am allergic to nuts so I use toasted garbanzo beans and fresh jalapeños for more of a kick. It is so good.
Hi Diana,
Awesome!!😎 Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try and sharing your feedback, so glad to hear it turned out well for you! xT
how much dill should we use if we just have the spice?
Hi Bailey,
I would highly recommend using fresh dill for this recipe:) If for some reason you don’t have access to it, cut the measurement in half:) Please let me know if you have any other questions! xT
This may be a dumb question, but what does smashing the cucumbers do? TIA!
Hi Tammy,
Not dumb at all! It just makes them a bit softer and releases their flavors a bit! Let me know if you have any other questions, I hope you love this recipe! xx
Smashed cucumbers also absorbs flavors better. Garlic ginger smashed cucumbers is a popular side dish in South-East and East Asia.
I don’t think the 1 cup of basil in the dressing recipe is supposed to be there.
Hi Lola,
Sorry about that! It’s going to be 1/2 cup in the dressing:) Fixing the recipe! Please let me know if you give it a try! xx
Is there really two CUPS of basil in this recipe?
Hi Leah,
So sorry, you are going to use 1/2 cup of basil in the salad and 1/2 cup of basil in the dressing. Thanks for pointing this out! Please let me know if you have any other questions! Happy Monday! xT