Watermelon Corn Salad quickly became one of my favorite summer dishes. I never thought watermelon and corn could go so well together. It’s crisp, juicy, and bursting with summer flavor.
Contents
Watermelon Corn Salad Recipe
Watermelon Corn Salad is a refreshing and popular summer dish. It combines watermelon with corn, red onion, cucumber, fresh herbs (like mint, basil, or cilantro), and cheeses like feta or cotija. These ingredients add complexity and balance to the flavors.
This salad is typically served cold and is favored for its light, juicy, and crisp qualities. The combination of watermelon’s juicy softness with the slight crunch of corn kernels provides a pleasing contrast of textures.
Sweet corn and watermelon salad pairs well with grilled meats like chicken, shrimp, or steak. It complements seafood dishes such as shrimp fajitas or grilled fish. Spicy and smoky dishes like spicy grilled corn or jalapeño-lime seasoned foods are great pairs. For a casual meal, it can accompany sandwiches, wraps, or tacos.
You can enjoy this salad with chilled rosé or icy margaritas to match the salad’s sweet and tangy flavors. Fruity white wines, herbal iced teas, or cocktails like watermelon daiquiris enhance the summer vibe. Non-alcoholic options include limeade or sparkling water with citrus.
This watermelon and corn salad is light and refreshing. It’s ideal for warm weather occasions such as potlucks, picnics, and barbecues. Here’s how to make the watermelon corn salad
Watermelon Corn Salad
Nutrition
Ingredients
- 3 cups watermelon seedless, cubed
- 1 ½ cups cooked sweet corn fresh, canned or frozen
- 1 small cucumber diced
- ¼ cup red onion thinly sliced
- ¼ cup feta cheese crumbled
- 2 tbsp fresh mint or basil chopped
- 2 tbsp lime juice about 1 lime
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine watermelon cubes, corn, cucumber, and red onion.
- Drizzle with lime juice and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.
- Mix gently to avoid smashing the watermelon.
- Sprinkle with feta and herbs just before serving.
Notes
- Add avocado or grilled shrimp to make it more filling.
- Swap feta with vegan cheese for a dairy-free option.
- Best served cold; chill ingredients before mixing for extra refreshment.
Similar Recipes:
Variations
Watermelon Corn Salad has several popular versions with different ingredients and flavor profiles.
- Charred Corn Version includes charred corn for smokiness and harissa flakes for spice. This version avoids being too watery and is great alongside grilled fish or chicken.
- Spicy Vegan Version has diced watermelon, red onion, cherry tomatoes, avocado, fresh basil, and a chili-lime dressing. It includes ground salted corn nuts for crunch and saltiness.
- Salad with Orange Dressing uses a dressing made from orange juice, orange peel, honey, and olive oil.
- Spicy Mexican Twist adds Tajín, chili flakes, cotija cheese, and swaps lime juice with a mix of lime and hot sauce.
- Asian Version uses rice vinegar, sesame oil, chopped cilantro, soy sauce, and toasted sesame seeds.
- Vegan Protein Boost includes chickpeas or edamame, skips cheese, and uses tahini-lemon dressing.
- Creamy Version adds diced avocado and uses Greek yogurt-lime dressing instead of olive oil.
- Tropical Version adds mango or pineapple chunks and uses honey-lime dressing.