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Refreshing Watermelon Cucumber Salad with Soy Glaze & Sesame

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This vibrant Watermelon Cucumber Salad combines the refreshing sweetness of watermelon with the crispness of cucumbers, all drizzled with a savory soy glaze. Perfect for hot summer days, it’s a delightful dish that brings people together.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups watermelon, diced (about 1 small watermelon)
  • 2 medium cucumbers, diced (preferably Persian or English cucumbers)
  • 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
  • 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, chopped
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
  • 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled (optional)
  • 1/4 cup rice vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon honey or agave syrup
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce (low-sodium recommended)
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 1 teaspoon sesame seeds (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Begin by preparing the watermelon. Cut it in half, scoop out the flesh, and dice it into 1-inch cubes. You should have about 4 cups of diced watermelon. Set it aside in a large mixing bowl.
  2. Next, take your cucumbers. Slice them in half lengthwise, scoop out the seeds with a spoon if they are large, and dice them into similar-sized pieces as the watermelon. You want a nice balance in size for an appealing texture.
  3. Now, finely dice the red onion. Aim for small pieces, about 1/4 inch in size, to keep the flavor from overwhelming the salad. Add it to the bowl with the watermelon and cucumbers.
  4. Chop the fresh mint and cilantro leaves. You can stack the leaves, roll them tightly, and slice them into thin ribbons for a more elegant presentation. Add both herbs to the salad bowl and mix everything gently to combine.
  5. If you’re including feta cheese, crumble it over the salad now. This adds a lovely creaminess and a salty contrast to the sweet watermelon.
  6. Now, it’s time to make the dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together the rice vinegar, olive oil, honey or agave syrup, salt, black pepper, and sesame oil until well combined. Taste and adjust the sweetness or acidity as desired.
  7. Pour the dressing over the salad mixture. Use a spatula or large spoon to gently toss everything together, ensuring that the dressing coats all the ingredients evenly. Be careful not to mash the watermelon.
  8. For the soy glaze, combine the soy sauce, brown sugar, cornstarch, and water in a small saucepan. Heat it over medium heat, stirring until it thickens, which should take about 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
  9. To serve, plate the salad and drizzle the soy glaze over the top. Finish with a sprinkle of sesame seeds for garnish. Enjoy your refreshing creation!

Nutrition

Keywords: Avoid overmixing the salad after adding the dressing to keep the watermelon intact. Use fresh herbs for the best flavor, and chill the salad before serving for enhanced taste.

Find it online: https://mamablueberry.com/refreshing-watermelon-cucumber-salad-with-soy-glaze-sesame/