Dessert

Spicy Cucumber & Watermelon Salad Recipe

ByJake Silas January 3, 2026January 3, 2026

Introduction

This Spicy Cucumber & Watermelon Salad is a refreshing and vibrant dish perfect for warm days. Combining crisp cucumber, sweet watermelon, and a bold chili-lime dressing, it offers a delightful balance of flavors and textures that will awaken your palate.

A white oval plate holds a colorful pasta salad on a white marbled surface. The bottom layer is light beige flat noodles spread across. Scattered on top are chunks of red watermelon and green cucumber slices, adding fresh fruits and vegetables to the dish. Bright green mint leaves are placed evenly throughout, giving a fresh touch. Crushed light brown nuts are sprinkled over the whole salad, adding texture. A wooden spoon and fork rest on the right side of the plate. To the left, a small white bowl with a blue rim is filled with more crushed nuts. A blue cloth is partly visible under the plate, all arranged neatly. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

100g dried flat rice noodles
1 lime, juiced
1 shallot, finely chopped
1 small red chilli, deseeded if you prefer less heat and finely chopped
1 tbsp soy sauce
½ tbsp crispy chilli oil
½ tbsp sesame oil
Pinch of sugar
1 whole cucumber, cut in half and deseeded
½ small watermelon, skin and seeds removed, about 500g flesh cut into chunks
Small handful of mint, leaves picked and finely chopped
25g roasted peanuts, roughly chopped

Instructions

Step 1: Cook the dried flat rice noodles according to the package instructions. Once cooked, drain and rinse them under cold water to prevent sticking, then set aside.
Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the lime juice and finely chopped shallot with a pinch of salt. Let this mixture sit for 5 minutes to mellow the shallots.
Step 3: Stir in the chopped red chilli, soy sauce, crispy chilli oil, sesame oil, and a pinch of sugar into the lime and shallot mixture. Allow this dressing to rest for another 5 minutes.
Step 4: Roughly slice the deseeded cucumber and add it to the bowl along with the cooked noodles, watermelon chunks, and chopped mint leaves.
Step 5: Toss everything gently to combine all the flavors well.
Step 6: Serve the salad topped with the roughly chopped roasted peanuts for added crunch and flavor.

Tips & Variations

For a milder dish, remove all the seeds from the red chilli or substitute with a sweet red pepper.
Add fresh coriander or basil instead of mint for a different herbal note.
To make this salad more filling, include some cooked shredded chicken or tofu.
Use tamari instead of soy sauce to keep it gluten-free.

Storage

Store the salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 day. The watermelon and cucumber can release water over time, so it’s best eaten fresh. If reheating, omit the watermelon and peanuts, and warm the noodles and dressing gently before mixing fresh fruit and nuts back in.

How to Serve

A white oval plate holds a colorful noodle salad with three visible layers: the bottom layer is flat, light beige noodles, the middle layer has chunks of bright red watermelon and slices of green cucumber mixed in, and the top layer is sprinkled with roughly chopped pale yellow peanuts and fresh green mint leaves. Two wooden spoons rest on the right side of the plate. To the left of the plate, there is a small white bowl with a blue rim filled with crushed peanuts. The scene is set on a white marbled surface with a blue cloth partially underneath the plate. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I prepare this salad in advance?

It’s best to assemble the salad just before serving to keep the ingredients fresh and crunchy. You can prepare the dressing and noodles ahead of time, but add the cucumber, watermelon, and peanuts right before eating.

What can I substitute for crispy chilli oil?

If you don’t have crispy chilli oil, you can use chili flakes mixed with a neutral oil like vegetable or sunflower oil. Alternatively, a spicy chili paste can work, but adjust the quantity to your preferred heat level.