As the summer heat rolls in, watermelons become the star of our tables. Fresh, sweet, and cooling, they form the base of dishes that please the crowd at cookouts. This season let’s explore watermelon in a whole new light – liven it up with mint, cuddle it with feta, and pair it with summer produce like cucumbers, tomatoes, and radishes. A dash of heat could come from cayenne pepper, chilies, or jalapeño.

Drizzled with olive oil, dressed with quick dips, and served with delectable dressings, watermelons redefine salad indulgence. These are some favorites that you must try at least once in summer – and we bet, you'll keep them in rotation.

Istanbul-based Chef Defne Koryürek brings together watermelons and fresh goat cheese matched with a tangy sprinkle of nigella seeds. The result is a nutty, peppery flavor in a salad ready in 30 minutes.

Dip into Indian cuisine as Mississippi chef Vishwesh Bhatt infuses a salad with the crunchy, tangy, and spicy elements of a chaat. Cucumber, onion, radishes, and fresh herbs are paired with peanuts pre-roasted with curry leaves and chaat masala. A sprinkle of cayenne and a serrano pepper add another layer to the juicy sweetness of the watermelon.

Relish a surprising twist on the traditional watermelon-tomato salad as you find the crunchy pairing of watermelons with pepitas, sesame seeds, and puffed rice cereal heavenly. The savory contrast comes from miso paste, soy sauce, and sea salt with a hint of heat from togarashi flakes.

Nutty aged goat cheese and crunchy sunflower kernels enhance the textures in this 20-minute summer salad curated by 2022 F&W Best New Chef Damarr Brown.

Chef Kevin Willmann from St. Louis takes you on a culinary exploration with a mix of fish and watermelon, flavored with a smoky, earthy sweetness brought about by poblano pepper and corn.

North Carolina chef Matt Neal presents a phenomenal salad with a splash of freshness from lime juice, a sprinkle of cayenne pepper, and mint leaves. For an extra flair, he suggests adding a splash of rum.

When it comes to grilling shrimp this summer, you may find Chef Grant Achatz's watermelon salad just the thing you need. It combines red and yellow watermelon with a unique cucumber water dressing for a smoky, briny flavor.

Chef Tom Colicchio shows you how to add texture and spice to your watermelon salad using radishes, chiles, and a fish-sauce dressing.

F&W's Justin Chapple introduces the pea shoots in his watermelon salad recipe that provide a vegetal balance to the juicy fruit. The dressing is a mix of rice vinegar, fish sauce, sesame seeds, and shallots.

Managing simplicity with elegance, Chef Ana Sortun couples watermelon and grape tomatoes with chopped basil and olive oil. A jalapeño charred to blend with feta and olive oil ensures a flavor-packed dipping sauce.