Ensalada de Sandía con Queso Fresco (Watermelon and Queso Fresco Salad)
Cold watermelon cubes with salty queso fresco, red onion, mint and a sweet lime dressing, a savoury sweet summer salad.
Made with Pickled red onions (cebollas encurtidas) and Agua fresca syrup. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time15 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £1.50 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Make your agua fresca syrup and pickled red onions (see the base recipes) in advance and chill both.
- 2
Mix 80 ml of the ready made agua fresca syrup (see the base recipe) with the lime juice and olive oil to make the dressing.
- 3
Arrange the watermelon and cucumber on a large platter.
- 4
Scatter over the pickled red onions (see the base recipe), crumbled queso fresco and mint.
- 5
Spoon over the dressing at the last moment and serve cold.
Tips
- Chill the watermelon thoroughly before assembling for the crispest result.
- Feta is the best UK swap for queso fresco if you cannot find it. Rinse it first if it is very salty.
- Dress at the last moment so the watermelon does not weep.
- A pinch of chilli powder or flakes adds a gentle heat.
Storing and freezing
Eat within a few hours. Keep leftovers covered in the fridge for up to 1 day, but the watermelon will release juice.
Questions
What is queso fresco?
Queso fresco is a soft, crumbly, mildly salty Mexican fresh cheese. Feta or a young ricotta salata are the closest UK alternatives.
Can I make it vegan?
Yes. Leave out the cheese and use cubes of firm tofu marinated in lime and salt, or just add more pickled onions and mint.
Can I add leaves?
Yes. Rocket or baby spinach work well underneath.
More made with pickled red onions (cebollas encurtidas)
Pescado Tikin Xic (Yucatecan Achiote Grilled Fish)
DFEFNFMassaman Stuffed Sweet Potatoes with Chickpeas and Pickled Onions
DFEFNFTostadas de Atún con Chipotle (Tuna Tostadas)
DFNFTacos de Carnitas con Cebolla Encurtida (Carnitas Tacos)
DFEFNFSee every dish made with pickled red onions (cebollas encurtidas)
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.
