This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy.
Watermelon Salsa is the unexpected salsa of the summer! With juicy watermelon, crisp cucumber, bright lime juice, and salty feta, this Watermelon Salsa comes together in minutes to deliver the ultimate sweet and salty appetizer!
Sweet & Salty Watermelon Salsa
I have NO self-control when you put a bowl of chips and salsa in front of me. It doesn't matter if it is fresh tomato salsa, salsa verde, pineapple mango salsa, or black bean corn salsa-I can never resist the contrast between fresh produce and salty corn chips.
But watermelon salsa?
Watermelon in a sangria, granita, or fruit salad--all day long! But as the base for salsa? It may sound odd, but after one bite, I think you will see why it works!
It is sweet from the watermelon, fresh from the cucumber, herbaceous from the cilantro, bright from the lime juice, and salty from the feta cheese. Simple, yet perfectly balanced. It's the perfect addition to any summer cookout menu.
Happy Cooking! xo Kristen
Recipe Highlights
Notes on Ingredients
- Watermelon: Use a ripe, sweet, vibrant red watermelon for the best flavor. Seedless is easiest, but seeded works-just remove seeds as you dice.
- Onion: To not overwhelm the salsa, I recommend using a Vidalia onion or another variety of sweet onion.
- Cucumber: I recommend using a hothouse cucumber, as it holds up well in the salsa. If using garden cucumbers, be sure to peel and remove the seeds before adding to the salsa.
- Lime Juice: Be sure to use FRESH lime juice for the best flavor. It is the perfect bright finish to the watermelon salsa.
- Cilantro: If you don't like cilantro, feel free to omit it or replace it with fresh mint or fresh basil.
- Salt: Use kosher salt rather than table salt, as it will help to enhance the flavors rather than make the dish taste salty.
- Feta Cheese (Optional): Crumbled feta cheese adds a nice salty finish to the salsa and pairs really well with watermelon. While the cheese adds a lot of dimension to this dish, feel free to omit it to keep this salsa vegan-friendly and dairy-free.
How To Make Watermelon Salsa
It couldn't be easier to throw together this fresh watermelon salsa.
- Combine diced watermelon, diced cucumber, minced onion, fresh lime juice, and chopped cilantro in a large mixing bowl.
- Right before serving, top with crumbled feta cheese.
Tips for the Best Watermelon Salsa
- Salt Lightly to Start. The amount of salt needed will depend on how much feta you use and the ripeness of your watermelon. Start with a little and adjust as needed by taste.
- Serve Immediately. Watermelon salsa is best served immediately or within a few hours of assembly, as it will become watery as it sits from the juice of the watermelon and cucumber.
- Strain Leftovers. If you do happen to have leftover salsa that has become watered down, strain it using a fine-mesh strainer to drain off the excess water. Taste to adjust salt if needed and then serve.
- Serve with Corn Chips: Watermelon Salsa is delicious served with any tortilla chip or corn chip. I personally love pairing this salsa with blue corn chips for a festive red, white, and blue appetizer.
Did you make this recipe?
If you enjoyed this recipe, please leave a comment with a 5-star review at the bottom of the post. Thank you!
Watermelon Salsa
Ingredients
- 3 cups ripe, seedless watermelon, diced into ½" cubes
- ½ large seedless cucumber, diced
- ½ small sweet onion, finely diced
- 1 medium lime, juiced
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
- ¼ cup minced cilantro, optional
- ¼ cup crumbled feta, use at discretion
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cubed watermelon, diced cucumber, minced cilantro, ¼ teaspoon kosher salt, and lime juice together.
- Gently stir in feta cheese. Taste and add additional salt as needed.
- Serve immediately for best results.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This recipe was originally published in 2014 and updated in 2025.
Absolutely delicious! My kids ate this so fast 🙂 Can't wait to make more of the ones you shared.
Yay! I love hearing you and your kids are enjoying these recipes 🙂 Thank you for sharing.
I love serving this watermelon salsa with our fam fav grilled cod. So refreshing and flavorful.
So fresh and delicious! Our new summer go to salsa!
This was so refreshing and turned out amazing! Loved every bite.
Love hearing that, Casey!
Such a fun and fresh recipe, and a great way to use up some watermelon if you bought a huge melon! Delicious!
Such a fabulous condiment for the summer and a great way to use up too much watermelon!
I agree Nancy! This is a great way to change up how you use a giant watermelon.