Are you guys ready for this insanely delicious spicy watermelon salad with cilantro and lime!? It’s spicy, sweet, a little bit salty and doused in a super lime-y dressing for the ultimate watermelon salad experience – refreshing and FULL of summer flavor!
To be honest, I almost didn’t share this post. Not because the recipe isn’t good enough, but because.. the pictures. So silly, I know. But I’m a perfectionist (that Virgo + Scorpio astrology combo is a doozy 😁) And the light just wasn’t very good, and I didn’t get “the shot” I wanted, but after I posted a picture of this spicy watermelon salad with cilantro and lime on Instagram and you guys went crazy for it, I thought, well now I HAVE to share it with you. Because it really is delicious. And I can just gonna put that little voice in my head that keeps saying the pictures aren’t good enough to the side and get to the good stuff.
Because this recipe, you guys, is the good stuff. And I kind of feel like I have this unofficial contract with you to share the best of the best with you.
So here we go 😉
We’re talking ice cold watermelon with a cilantro, lime-drenched, chili flecked dressing that will send your taste buds over the freaking MOON. It’s like a spicy, salty, sweet, sour party in your mouth that will keep you coming back for bite after bite.
Besides being a major flavor bomb it’s also super refreshing and incredibly easy to make. You could cut the watermelon into cubes if you want it to be more fork friendly, but in the name of casual summertime dining I personally opt for the watermelon wedge option so you can pick it up with your hands and chow down. Spicy, lime-y watermelon dressing juice dripping down the chin and all. It’s part of the experience, y’all 💯🍉👊🏼
how to make this spicy watermelon salad with cilantro and lime
- Cut your watermelon – cubes or wedges, you decide.
- Roughly chop up dressing ingredients and whisk together in a small bowl.
- Spoon the dressing over the top of watermelon.
- Finish with a big pinch of flaky sea salt and chili flakes.
- DIG IN AND ENJOY!
So run out to the store before it’s too late and buy the juiciest, ripest watermelon you can find and the ingredients for this spicy cilantro lime dressing and make this for dinner tonight. Eat it with your hands, maybe with bare feet in the grass and a cold glass of white wine because the flavors of this summer aren’t going to be around forever and they deserve to go out with a bang. And this spicy watermelon salad is just that.
spicy watermelon salad with cilantro and lime
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: about 6 servings 1x
Description
Are you guys ready for this insanely delicious spicy watermelon salad with cilantro and lime!? It’s spicy, sweet, a little bit salty and doused in a super lime-y dressing for the ultimate watermelon salad experience – refreshing and FULL of summer flavor!
Ingredients
- 1 mini watermelon, or 1/2 of a regular sized watermelon
- 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
- 1 small jalapeño, thinly sliced or minced for less intense heat
- juice of 2 limes
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- pinch of red chili flakes
- extra flaky sea salt and red chili flakes for garnish
Instructions
- Cut watermelon into wedges or bite sized pieces.
- In a small bowl whisk together dressing ingredients – cilantro, jalapeño, lime juice, salt, olive oil and chili flakes.
- Spoon dressing over the top of the watermelon and finish with flaky sea salt and an extra pinch of chili flakes.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
Jess says
Perfect for a summer potluck. Absolutely perfect and unexpected.
★★★★★
Nyssa Tanner says
I couldn’t agree more! Refreshing and tasty ftw 🙂 So glad you enjoyed! xo, Nyssa
William Wharff says
Nyssa,
Absolutely fabulous salad! So easy to prep, easy to make and so YUMMY on a hot summer night (or ANY time) !!
Had friends over for drinks on the deck and they were delighted. Served with chilled cucumber vodka and pomegranate juice topped with mint and a watermelon wedge. Looked amazing, tasted even better…thank so much!
William
★★★★★
Nyssa Tanner says
Hi William! I’m so thrilled that you and your company enjoyed this recipe. That cocktail sounds incredible and the perfect pairing for a happy hour on the deck! I’m making a mental note to try something similar the next time I make this salad 🙂
Katie says
Yes, ’tis the season! Love adding crumbled feta to an already perfect dish.
★★★★★
Nyssa Tanner says
Yess! Couldn’t agree more. Watermelon salad season has arrived + feta with this recipe is so good!
Sara says
Fabulous, thanks for sharing this, we went bite sized and added crumbled feta to soften the heat and was a hit!
★★★★★
Nyssa Tanner says
Oh that sounds wonderful! So glad you enjoyed 🙂
Antoinette Green says
This was delicious! I’ll definitely be making this again.
Nyssa Tanner says
Yes! So happy to hear you love it!