Cucumber Avocado Watermelon Salad

By Amanda Paa – Updated June 30, 2022
5 from 6 votes
This easy Cucumber Avocado Watermelon Salad is the definition of summer on a plate. Creamy, crunchy, salty, and sweet! It's the perfect side dish for a barbecue or light lunch on the patio. Vegan and gluten-free.
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Cucumber Watermelon Avocado Salad

I love how the definition of comfort food drifts with the seasons.

August. The steamy days, and long nights. Those that allow the fields to flourish with fruits and vegetables, and their keepers to harvest them with steadfast soul. To then arrive in our hands.

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Watermelon dripping from our chins.
Crunchy bites from cucumbers still warm off the vine.
Sweet corn in our teeth.
Juicy tomatoes dripping from a quintessential BLT.

Cucumber Watermelon Avocado Salad
Cucumber Watermelon Avocado Salad

So much of what I eat this time of year is essentially a non-recipe, those you throw together on a whim with so few ingredients, yet they meld together so perfectly you make every week until those ingredients are out of season.

That’s what this Cucumber Watermelon Salad is.

Bright.
Refreshing.
Creamy.
Crunchy.
Sweet.
Salty.

To have all those things in one bite is pure magic!

Dressed simply with the best olive oil you can buy, sweet summer basil, fresh lime (or lemon) juice, salt, and freshly ground black pepper for a subtle kick.

Cucumber Watermelon Avocado Salad
Cucumber Watermelon Avocado Salad

Tips for Making Watermelon Salad:

Although it may not seem important, the way you shape and cut the watermelon, cucumber, and avocado makes a difference. Square watermelon cubes, thinly shaved cucumber slices, and round avocado balls (who knew a melon baller would be used for avocado instead of the melon!) result in easy eating and the right amount of texture.

I’ll leave you with that, and also a note to say enjoy August for what it is. Overbuy at the farmers market because you can’t get enough of the colors and abundance. Drink iced coffee on your porch. Listen to the birds chirping, and the kids playing.

Let fall arrive when it arrives.

xo,
Amanda

{If you’re looking for a few more summer recipes, my archived favorites include: Italian Grilled Romaine Salad, Gluten-Free Brown Butter Raspberry Financiers, Burrata with Slow Roasted Cherry Tomatoes, and Peach Baked Muesli.}

Cucumber Watermelon Avocado Salad

Cucumber Avocado Watermelon Salad

A bright and refreshing cucumber watermelon salad with fresh basil and creamy avocado. It's the perfect side dish for a barbecue or light lunch on the patio.
5 from 6 votes
Prep Time :20 minutes
Cook Time :5 minutes
Total Time :25 minutes
Yield: 5 servings
Author: Amanda Paa

SCALE:

Ingredients

  • 2 1/2 cups uniformly cubed watermelon
  • 1 small english cucumber, thinly sliced with a mandoline (I used this type of cucumber because it has fewer seeds and is less watery)
  • 1 ripe avocado, scooped into small balls with a melon baller
  • 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • juice of one lime
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons freshly chopped basil
  • freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons chili crisp (optional)*

Equipment

Instructions 

  • Prepare watermelon, cucumber, and avocado and place in a large bowl. Stir in 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt. Squeeze lime over the top and gently stir. (The lime will keep the avocado bright and green, in addition to adding flavor.)
  • Then add olive oil, basil, pepper (and chili crisp if using). Gently stir and pour onto on a large plate.
  • Finish with a few cracks of black pepper and torn pieces of basil to garnish! (Taste for salt and add more if needed.) 

Notes

*I recently started making this recipe with the addition of chili crisp, a spicy condiment that is perfect to the sweet and salty flavors of this salad! It's totally optional, but you won't be disappointed if you like adding a little heat and crunch to your food. Start with 1 tablespoon and add more if you desire.

Did you make this?

tag @heartbeetkitchen on instagram and hashtag it #heartbeetkitchen

August 3, 2018

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11 comments

  1. JC

    5 stars
    Made this, loved it so used at a family gathering and was asked for recipe by 3-4 people including a 14 year old!!

    • Amanda Paa

      Oh, that’s so great to hear! We love it too, so refreshing.

  2. Kim

    5 stars
    It’s so refreshing! Absolutely delicious! Perfect Summer Salad!

  3. Teresa

    5 stars
    Wow! This was outstanding!

    • Amanda Paa

      so glad you liked the salad!

  4. Holly Simensen

    Enjoyed this salad over the weekend, and just loved it! It was so fresh and unusual, perfect for Florida. A simply outstanding salad, especially after being outside in the hot sun.

    • amandapaa

      Yay! So glad you liked the recipe, Holly. I love it on hot days too. xo

  5. bella

    Using a melon baller for the avocado is genius! Love this combo Amanda and your photos are beautiful per usual!

  6. Ruby

    This is such a stunning salad! I want to dive in and enjoy every refreshing bite :) Gorgeous photos + colors, as well xx

    • amandapaa

      Thank you friend! It’s just what I’ve been craving with our hot and steamy weather. Hope yours is going well! xo

  7. Lyn Croyle

    Excellent combination — just absolutely perfect for hot summer day!