Watermelon Cucumber Tajin Lime (Printable)

Juicy watermelon and crisp cucumber brightened with lime, cilantro, and Tajin for a zesty summer side.

# What You Need:

→ Produce

01 - Seedless watermelon — 4 cups, cubed
02 - English cucumber — 2 cups, thinly sliced
03 - Red onion — 1/4 cup, thinly sliced (optional)
04 - Fresh cilantro — 1/4 cup, chopped

→ Dressing & Seasoning

05 - Fresh lime juice — 2 tablespoons (about 1 lime)
06 - Lime zest — zest of 1 lime
07 - Tajín seasoning — 1 to 2 teaspoons, to taste
08 - Sea salt — pinch
09 - Freshly ground black pepper — to taste

→ Optional Garnishes

10 - Feta cheese, crumbled — 1/4 cup (optional)
11 - Extra lime wedges — as needed

# Directions:

01 - Rinse and dry all produce. Cube the seedless watermelon into 1/2- to 1-inch pieces, thinly slice the English cucumber, thinly slice the red onion if using, and chop the cilantro. Transfer all prepared produce to a large salad bowl.
02 - Combine fresh lime juice and lime zest, then sprinkle the Tajín, sea salt and freshly ground black pepper over the produce. Drizzle the lime juice evenly so the citrus coats the ingredients.
03 - Using a large spoon or tongs, toss the watermelon, cucumber, red onion and cilantro gently to distribute the dressing and seasonings without bruising the fruit.
04 - Taste and adjust by adding more Tajín for heat or an extra squeeze of lime for brightness. Re-toss briefly after adjustments.
05 - Serve immediately or chill for about 10 minutes for added refreshment. If desired, garnish with crumbled feta and extra lime wedges just before serving.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • You get the sweet-crunchy-spicy trifecta that keeps every bite interesting and impossibly refreshing.
  • It’s the quickest thing to whip up when unexpected guests or a craving for something vibrant strikes.
02 -
  • If you add salt too early or too much, the watermelon weeps and you end up with a soupy salad by the time it’s served.
  • Letting the salad sit for just ten minutes in the fridge makes the flavors bloom and the spices cling better to every bite.
03 -
  • To avoid a watery salad, wait until just before serving to dress and salt.
  • A microplane makes zesting the lime effortless, and fresh zest outshines anything pre-packaged.
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