When summer rolls around, nothing hits the spot quite like a watermelon feta salad. This refreshing dish adds a burst of flavor and color to your table, making it perfect for picnics or even a quick weeknight dinner.
This watermelon feta salad recipe addresses watery texture, flavor mismatches, and lengthy preparation common in summer salads, ensuring fresh ingredients and simple steps for quick serving.
I’ve faced my fair share of challenges when making salads, like finding the right balance of flavors. Sometimes, my kids can be picky eaters, so I love that this recipe offers a tasty way to sneak in healthy ingredients.
What makes this watermelon feta salad truly shine is the mix of juicy watermelon, creamy feta, and fresh mint. In just about 15 minutes, you’ll have a vibrant dish ready to serve, and I promise it’s a crowd-pleaser!
If you want something equally refreshing, check out my Strawberry Biscuits for a sweet treat that complements this salad nicely.
Table of contents
Dietary Considerations
- The recipe is gluten-free since it contains no wheat or gluten-containing ingredients from the listed components.
- This recipe is not dairy-free because it includes feta cheese as a primary ingredient.
- The recipe is vegetarian as it contains no meat, poultry, or seafood within its ingredients.
- This recipe is not vegan due to the presence of feta cheese derived from animal milk.
- The recipe is nut-free since none of the ingredients include nuts or nut derivatives.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Refreshed and Crisp Flavor Watermelon brings a sweet and juicy taste that’s refreshing, especially on hot days. The addition of cucumber and fragrant herbs adds delightful crunch and brightness.
- Unique Flavor Contrast The creamy feta provides a salty element that pairs beautifully with the sweet watermelon, creating an enticing mix of tastes that makes every bite intriguing.
- Easy Preparation With just 15 minutes to throw together this salad, it’s a hassle-free option when you want something quick yet satisfying. No cooking involved means you can keep things simple!
- Seasonal Star This watermelon feta salad is ideal for summer gatherings, making it a popular choice for picnics and potlucks. Its vibrant colors and flavors are sure to catch everyone’s eye and satisfy their taste buds.
How to Make Watermelon Feta Salad
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cool Time:
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: salad
- Method: no-cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: vegetarian
Description
A refreshing summer salad featuring juicy watermelon, creamy feta, and fresh herbs, perfect for hot days.
Ingredients
- 1/2 watermelon (seedless variety preferred for smooth texture and sweet flavor), cut into cubes
- 1 English or Hot House cucumber, sliced
- 15 fresh mint leaves, vibrant green and fresh
- 15 fresh basil leaves, fresh and aromatic
- 1/2 cup (about 120 ml) creamy feta cheese, block feta preferred for texture control and creaminess
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) honey
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) freshly squeezed lime juice (bottled can be used if fresh is not available)
- 1 to 2 tablespoons (15 to 30 ml) extra virgin olive oil, high quality with fruity richness
- Pinch of kosher salt
Instructions
- Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons honey, 2 tablespoons lime juice, 1 to 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, and a pinch of kosher salt until well combined. Set aside briefly to allow flavors to meld.
- Step 2: Place the cubed watermelon, sliced cucumber, 15 fresh mint leaves, and 15 fresh basil leaves in a large bowl or serving platter with sides. Gently mix these ingredients by hand or with a large spoon, taking care to avoid bruising or breaking the watermelon cubes to preserve their shape and texture.
- Step 3: Drizzle the prepared dressing over the watermelon, cucumber, and herb mixture. Using your hands, toss lightly and evenly to coat all ingredients without crushing the watermelon.
- Step 4: Sprinkle 1/2 cup of creamy feta cheese on top of the salad just before serving. Serve immediately to maintain freshness and texture.
Notes
- Room Temperature: Store the salad in an airtight container for up to 6 hours to keep texture and flavor intact.
- Refrigeration: Store in an airtight container and refrigerate up to 2 days. Add feta just before serving to avoid sogginess.
- Freezing: Not recommended for this salad as watermelon becomes watery and feta changes texture. Instead, freeze dressing separately in a freezer-safe container for up to 1 month.
- To reduce excess moisture, salt cucumber slices and let them drain in a colander for 20 minutes before adding to the salad.
- Select a watermelon that is heavy for its size and uniformly shaped for a firmer texture.
- When cutting watermelon, use a large sharp knife to slice through the rind first, then cube to save time and reduce mess.
- Use block feta rather than crumbled feta to control piece size and reduce crumbling.
- Store fresh mint and basil in the refrigerator with their stems submerged in water for up to 4 days to prevent browning.
- Serve alongside grilled chicken or shrimp for a satisfying meal.
- Pair with a quinoa salad or roasted vegetables to balance your plate.
- Use salad as a filling for wraps with lettuce or tortillas combined with your favorite protein.
- Add the salad to a mixed bean salad or use as a topping for savory stuffed peppers.
- Drizzle with balsamic glaze or additional lime juice and garnish with extra mint leaves for aroma.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Ingredient Notes
- Watermelon: Choose a seedless variety for smooth texture and sweet flavor. Look for a firm, heavy fruit; that often means it’s juicy.
- Feta cheese: Opt for block feta over crumbled for better texture control. Go for creamy varieties; they add rich flavor and balance the sweetness of watermelon.
- Fresh mint: Use vibrant, green leaves. Fresh mint brightens the salad and provides a refreshing contrast to the sweetness; avoid wilted leaves.
- Lime juice: Freshly squeezed juice is best; it adds tartness that enhances flavors. Bottled lime juice can work in a pinch, but fresh is way brighter.
- Olive oil: A good quality extra virgin olive oil brings a fruity richness; it ties everything together. Avoid cheap blends since they lack depth.
Recipe Tips
- If you find your salad too watery, layer the cucumber slices with salt in a colander for 20 minutes to draw out extra moisture.
- For firmer watermelon, choose one that feels heavy for its size and has a uniform shape, this will enhance the texture of your salad.
- When cutting watermelon, use a large knife and slice through the rind, then cut into cubes; this saves time and minimizes mess.
- If your feta cheese is crumbling too much, opt for a block instead of crumbled feta; it’s easier to break into larger pieces.
- To prevent fresh herbs from browning, store mint and basil in the fridge with their stems in water for up to 4 days.
Serving Suggestions
Serve with grilled chicken or shrimp for a satisfying meal. Pair it alongside a quinoa salad or roasted vegetables.
Use to make wraps with lettuce or tortillas filled with your favorite protein. Add to a mixed bean salad or integrate into savory stuffed peppers.
Top with balsamic glaze or a drizzle of additional lime juice. Finish with extra mint leaves for an aromatic touch.
Recipe variations
- You can use cantaloupe or honeydew melon as a substitute for watermelon to maintain sweetness and freshness in the watermelon feta salad. Adjust quantity to 4 cups cubed.
- Add 1 tablespoon of fresh chopped rosemary or 2 teaspoons dried oregano to the dressing for a different herbal note, keeping honey, lime juice, and olive oil in original amounts.
- Either goat cheese or ricotta salata can replace feta cheese for a creamy texture when serving, with 1/2 cup of crumbled or sliced cheese in the salad.
- If using this salad for a larger group, double ingredients to 1 whole watermelon, 2 cucumbers, 1 cup feta, adjusting the dressing to 4 tablespoons honey and lime juice each.
Save This Recipe!
How to Store?
To keep your watermelon feta salad fresh and delicious, follow these storage tips:
Room Temperature: Store the salad in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 6 hours to maintain texture and flavor.
Refrigeration: Place in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Add feta just before serving to avoid sogginess.
Freezing: Not recommended as watermelon becomes watery and feta texture changes. Instead, freeze dressing separately in a freezer container up to 1 month.
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If you enjoyed this Watermelon Feta Salad or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a ⭐ star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. I appreciate taking time to read about this recipe, thank you!
