Mexican Watermelon Papaya Salad with Tequila Vinaigrette

Nutriscore Rating: 78/100

Vibrant, refreshing, and bursting with bold flavors, this Mexican Watermelon Papaya Salad with Tequila Vinaigrette is the perfect summer dish with a zesty twist. Juicy watermelon and sweet papaya are paired with crisp cucumber, tangy red onion, and crumbled cotija cheese, while fresh cilantro and a touch of jalapeño add a delightful kick. The star of the recipe, however, is the tequila-lime vinaigrette—a tantalizing blend of lime juice, smooth tequila, honey, and chili powder that elevates every bite. Ready in just 20 minutes, this no-cook salad makes a stunning side dish or appetizer, ideal for barbecues, picnics, or any occasion that calls for a taste of the tropics with a Mexican flair.

Recipe Information

• Prep Time: 20 min
• Cook Time: N/A
• Total Time: 20 min
• Servings: 4 servings
• Difficulty: Medium

🥘 Ingredients

13 items

• 4 cups (diced) Watermelon
• 2 cups (diced) Papaya
• 1 cup (sliced into half-moons) Cucumber
• 0.25 cup (thinly sliced) Red onion
• 0.5 cup (roughly chopped) Fresh cilantro
• 0.25 cup (crumbled) Cotija cheese
• 3 tablespoons Lime juice
• 1 tablespoon Tequila
• 1 teaspoon Honey
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Chili powder
• 1 (seeded and finely chopped) Jalapeño

📝 Instructions

6 steps

1. In a large salad bowl, combine the diced watermelon, diced papaya, sliced cucumber, and thinly sliced red onion.

2. Add the roughly chopped cilantro, crumbled cotija cheese, and finely chopped jalapeño to the salad mixture.

3. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the lime juice, tequila, honey, olive oil, salt, and chili powder until emulsified.

4. Pour the tequila vinaigrette over the salad and gently toss to combine, ensuring the dressing evenly coats the ingredients.

5. Taste and adjust the seasoning with additional salt or chili powder, if desired.

6. Serve immediately as a refreshing side dish or appetizer. Garnish with additional cilantro or a sprinkle of chili powder for an extra touch of flavor, if preferred.

Nutrition Facts

1 serving (334.4g)

Calories		201
% Daily Value*
Total Fat		9.4 g	12%
	Saturated Fat	2.7 g	13%
	Polyunsaturated Fat	0.0 g
Cholesterol		6 mg	2%
Sodium		309 mg	13%
Total Carbohydrate		26.8 g	10%
	Dietary Fiber	2.7 g	10%
	Total Sugars	18.7 g
Protein		3.7 g	7%
Vitamin D		0.0 mcg	0%
Calcium		91 mg	7%
Iron		1.0 mg	6%
Potassium		445 mg	9%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 342 cal (41.3%%)

Protein: 57 cal (6.9%%)

Carbs: 428 cal (51.8%%)