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Tangy Crispy Watermelon Rind Salad — finished dish, ready to serve.

Refreshing Cold Watermelon Rind Salad (Sour, Crisp, and Delicious)

凉拌西瓜皮 · pan chinese cuisine

30 min total0 min cooking3 stepstangyrefreshingsavory

The author got a seedless watermelon with especially thin skin and turned the rind into this crisp, tangy salad instead of throwing it away.

Colm Byrne's profile photoColm ByrneIrish guy in Boston who makes a mean stew and a questionable attempt at pho. Weekend baker, weekday pasta-and-frozen-peas guy. Honest recipes only.

Nutrition & allergens

Contains:SoyWheat

Some ingredients are not yet allergen-surveyed; this label is not exhaustive.

Per serving (4 servings)

Energy (kcal)
Unknown
Protein (g)
1.4(Main ingredients only; seasoning not counted)
Fat (g)
3.3(Main ingredients only; seasoning not counted)
Carbs (g)
Unknown
Sodium (mg)
Unknown

Estimated from verified ingredient data for the original formula — not lab values, and one dish is not a full meal.

  • xi gua西瓜

    1.0 whole

  • Light soy sauce ingredient identification photo

    light soy sauce生抽

    1.2 oz

  • Granulated sugar ingredient identification photo

    sugar糖

    0.14 oz

  • Chinkiang vinegar ingredient identification photo

    vinegar醋

    1.06 oz

  • garlic (minced, for finishing) ingredient

    garlic (minced, for finishing)蒜末

    5.0 clove

  • Fine salt ingredient identification photo

    salt盐

    as needed

  • Bird's eye chiles ingredient identification photo

    Bird's eye chiles小米辣

    2.0 piece

  • Water ingredient identification photo

    water水

    1.59 oz

  • Blending sesame oil ingredient

    Blending sesame oil调合芝麻油

    0.46 oz

Techniques you'll use

Steps

  1. 1

    Step 130 min

    Marinating ↗
    Tangy Crispy Watermelon Rind Salad — step 1 visual checkpoint.

    Rinse the watermelon rind well. When cutting, leave a little of the red flesh attached to add sweetness, and peel off the dark green outer skin. Sprinkle with salt and let it sit for 20 to 30 minutes to soften and draw out moisture.

    ✅ Done when: The rind feels softer to the touch and liquid has pooled in the bowl after 20 to 30 minutes of salting.

  2. 2

    Step 2

    Cold dressing (liang ban) ↗
    Tangy Crispy Watermelon Rind Salad — step 2 visual checkpoint.

    Make the dressing: combine 2 bird's eye chilies, garlic, 2 tablespoons of light soy sauce, 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, 3 tablespoons of water, 1 tablespoon of sesame oil, and 1 teaspoon of sugar.

    ✅ Done when: The dressing is fully combined with the sugar dissolved and no visible separation.

  3. 3

    Step 3

    Cold dressing (liang ban) ↗
    Tangy Crispy Watermelon Rind Salad — step 3 visual checkpoint.

    Gently squeeze the excess water out of the rind, pour the dressing over it, and toss until evenly coated.

    ✅ Done when: Every piece of rind is evenly coated with the dressing with no liquid pooling at the bottom of the bowl.