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    Tajín Watermelon Mint Salad

    Published: Jun 1, 2021 by Elise Shivamber · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Fresh watermelon, chili lime seasoning, mint and lime juice. This Tajin Watermelon Mint Salad is the most refreshing and light side dish salad. 15-minutes and easy to make-ahead. Naturally vegan, paleo, Whole30.

    overhead view of a blue plate with watermelon tajin salad, some limes, a wooden knife and beers in the background

    This vegan watermelon salad is a great BBQ side dish as it’s easy to make ahead and pleases a crowd! Who doesn’t love fresh watermelon sprinkled with chili lime seasoning and mint. Use this Watermelon Tajin dish as a side, appetizer, or even dessert!

    Eating clean for the past five years, my favorite recipes were those that use simple, fresh ingredients.  I’m a huge proponent of making easy dishes that don’t skimp out on taste. For side recipes like this one, I prefer only a few ingredients that pack huge flavor. For other simple, delicious side dishes try Healthy Mexican Street Corn (Elotes), Fresh Mexican Avocado Salad, or Winter Grapefruit & Arugula Salad.

    Jump to:
    • Highlights of this Recipe
    • Ingredients & Substitutions
    • Step-By-Step Instructions
    • Variations
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • What to Serve with Watermelon Salad
    • 📖 Recipe

    Summer and watermelon are almost synonymous for me. There’s no Summer that passes without a fresh watermelon salad. When I find ripe watermelon I have to buy it and then end up with seemingly thousands of pounds of cubed watermelon in the fridge. I make watermelon cocktails and drink fresh watermelon juice all day long!

    Highlights of this Recipe

    This recipe is:

    • Crowd Pleaser
    • 4 Fresh Ingredients (+Salt!)
    • 15-Minutes
    • Refreshing

    Ingredients & Substitutions

    ingredients shot - sliced watermelon, halved limes, a bowl of mint leaves and tajin with a wooden knife
    • Fresh Watermelon. Cubed watermelon brings sweetness to this salad recipe. I highly suggest cutting your own mini watermelon, but you can also use pre-cubed watermelon if in a rush.
    • Limes. Use fresh lime juice. Substitute for lemon juice.
    • Tajín or Chili Lime Salt. Tajín takes this watermelon salad to the next level. If you can’t find tajin, try Trader Joe’s Chili Lime seasoning.
    • Mint Leaves. Use fresh mint for this recipe. It helps add a freshness and a different bite. I like to cut the mint leaves in small strips. Substitute for other fresh herbs like cilantro or basil.

    TIP! When picking out watermelon at the store, knock on the watermelon. It should sound hollow inside - that’s when it’s ripe!

    Step-By-Step Instructions

    • process shot of watermelon being cubed. First cut in half, then again to create cubes
      Cube Watermelon
    • sprinkling tajin on cubed watermelon
      Sprinkle with Tajin

    STEP ONE: Cube the fresh watermelon.

    STEP TWO: Squeeze the lime juice and sprinkle the tajín over the watermelon.

    STEP THREE: Add mint leaves and serve!

    Variations

    Want to change up this watermelon mint salad? Try any of the below:

    • Cheesy: Add crumbled feta cheese, goat cheese, or cotija cheese.
    • More fruits & veggies: Add fresh cucumber, melon, red onion, tomato or even blueberries.
    • More greens: Add arugula.
    • Spicy: Add fresh jalapeño pepper.
    • Savory: Drizzle with a bit of olive oil or balsamic vinaigrette.
    • Salty: Sprinkle with salty feta and olives.
    cubed watermelon and tajin salad topped with mint with a modelo in the back on a yellow tile background

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can you make watermelon salad ahead of time?

    Yes! Watermelon salad is perfect to make ahead. Make this watermelon tajin recipe up to one day ahead of time, otherwise the lime juice may make the salad too wet.

    How do you select your watermelon at the market?

    The best tip to picking out watermelon from the store is to knock on it. The watermelon should sound hollow.

    What to Serve with Watermelon Salad

    • watermelon tajin,watermelon salad
      Spicy Skinny Margarita
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      50+ Best Summer Cocktails
    • watermelon tajin,watermelon salad
      Hibiscus Vodka Prosecco Cocktail
    • watermelon tajin,watermelon salad
      Skinny Cranberry Margarita

    📖 Recipe

    square photo of overhead view of a blue plate with watermelon tajin salad, some limes, a wooden knife and beers in the background

    Tajín Watermelon Mint Salad

    Elise Shivamber
    Fresh watermelon, chili lime seasoning, mint and lime juice. This Tajin Watermelon Mint Salad is the most refreshing and light side dish and salad. Under 15-minutes total and easy to make-ahead. Naturally vegan, paleo, Whole30.
    No ratings yet
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Total Time 15 mins
    Course Appetizer, Dessert, Salad
    Cuisine American, Mexican
    Servings 4 people
    Calories 62 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 5 Cups Fresh Watermelon about ½ small watermelon
    • 5 Mint Leaves
    • ¼ Cup Lime Juice about 1 lime
    • 1 TBSP Tajín or Chili Lime Salt
    • ¼ TSP Salt

    Instructions
     

    Cube Watermelon (If Needed)

    • Remove a half inch off the top and bottom of the watermelon.
    • Stand watermelon on one of the cut sides. Cut watermelon in half and set one half aside.
    • With the half still standing, cut again in half to have a quarter of watermelon, set one quarter to the side. Lay one quarter down with flat side on your cutting board.
    • Slice watermelon across its width starting from one end. Cut each slice into ¼ inch to ½ inch slices until you have reached the other end.
    • Repeat with remaining quarters.
    • Next, each slice in 1 inch slices and then again perpendicularly to create 1 inch cubes.

    Cut Mint

    • Place mint leaves on top of one another. Roll leaves from the short side (it will look like a cigarette or cigar - long and skinny).
    • Next, cut mint leaves with the roll parallel into thin strips, about ¼ inch wide.
    • Cut entire mint roll. Leave to the side.

    Put Salad Together

    • Place cubed watermelon on a plate or in a large bowl.
    • Pour lime juice on top and sprinkle tajin evenly over watermelon.
    • Sprinkle chopped mint evenly over watermelon salad.
    • Toss watermelon, tajin, salt, fresh lime juice and chopped mint to evenly mix together.
    • Eat immediately or place in the fridge for 30-minutes to eat cold.

    Notes

    When cutting a watermelon, keep the flat side down and use a sharp knife. This will avoid or eliminate slips and knicks.
    This Watermelon Tajin Salad will last up to three days in the fridge. Keep it stored in an airtight container.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 62kcalCarbohydrates: 16gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 148mgPotassium: 238mgFiber: 1gSugar: 12gVitamin A: 1142IUVitamin C: 20mgCalcium: 19mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword 4-ingredient, gluten free, grapefruit, paleo, tajín, tajin watermelon, vegan, watermelon, Whole30
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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