Keto Watermelon Fruit Salad with Lime Mint Dressing
Ingredients
- Salad:
- 4 cups seedless watermelon cut into 2–3 cm cubes
- 1 large cucumber seeds scooped out, sliced into half-moons
- 1 large ripe avocado diced into 2 cm pieces
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
- ¼ cup fresh mint leaves roughly torn
- ¼ small red onion very thinly sliced (optional)
- ¼ cup toasted pumpkin seeds or chopped pistachios optional
- Lime Mint Dressing:
- 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1 teaspoon lime zest
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon honey or keto-friendly sweetener
- 2 tablespoons fresh mint very finely chopped
- 1 small garlic clove grated (optional)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- Pinch of chili flakes or cayenne optional
- Finishing:
- Extra crumbled feta
- Extra fresh mint leaves
- Extra lime zest
- Flaky sea salt and cracked black pepper
Instructions
- Cut watermelon into 2–3 cm cubes. Pat lightly dry if very ripe and wet.
- Halve cucumber lengthwise. Scoop out seed core with a spoon. Slice into half-moons.
- Dice avocado into 2 cm pieces. Toss immediately with 1 tablespoon of lime juice to prevent browning.
- Slice red onion paper thin if using. Soak in cold water 5 minutes to mellow.
- Whisk lime juice, lime zest, olive oil, sweetener, chopped mint, garlic if using, salt, and chili flakes together until combined. Taste and adjust.
- Add watermelon, cucumber, and drained red onion to a large bowl. Pour two-thirds of the dressing over and toss gently.
- Add diced avocado. Fold in gently with a large spoon — do not break the pieces.
- Scatter crumbled feta and torn mint leaves over the top.
- Chill 15 minutes if time allows.
- Just before serving, drizzle remaining dressing over the top. Add extra feta, mint, lime zest, seeds if using, flaky salt, and cracked pepper. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Scoop the seed core from the cucumber — it holds the most water and dilutes the salad as it sits
- Pat watermelon dry if very ripe — surface moisture dilutes the dressing before it can cling
- Add avocado last and fold gently — it breaks apart easily and should stay in distinct pieces
- Dress in two stages — two-thirds before chilling, remaining third just before serving
- Make the dressing sharper than seems necessary — the watermelon sweetness softens it significantly
- Chill the serving bowl before assembling for a colder salad that holds longer at the table
- Prep all components separately up to 24 hours ahead — cut and add avocado at the last moment
- Keto sweetener works in place of honey — add gradually and keep the dressing predominantly tart
- Net carbs per serving are 8g — adjust portion size to fit personal carb limits
- Serve within 2 hours of assembling for the best texture and freshness