Why You Will Love This Salad
Sweet watermelon meets salty feta, bright lime, piquant red onion and fresh mint for a refreshing salad that is out of this world tasty. Perfect for any summer gathering, backyard BBQs, weekend brunch, this starter or side dish is guaranteed to wow. While “savory” and “watermelon” might not be words that you’d normally put together, hear me out. The unexpected pairing of watermelon and feta cheese is as natural as apples and peanut butter! Every time I have made this easy summer side, people just go nuts for it. It pairs well with any dish you’d find at a grill out (including chicken, steak and fish), making it an excellent choice for potluck gatherings. It’s also super simple to make! With just a handful of ingredients and about 10 minutes of prep, you can have this colorful, sweet and salty watermelon salad with feta and mint. So grab your stuff and meet me in the kitchen. I’m about to show you how to win at summer with this easy salad recipe!
Ingredients
This delightful watermelon and feta salad takes just 5 ingredients, plus a few store cupboard staples. Here’s everything you’ll need:
Seedless Watermelon - Seedless watermelon works best for this recipe because it eliminates the pesky step of having to remove seeds. If you don’t have access to seedless varieties, just do your best to remove the seeds from your cubes.Fresh Mint - The bright herbaceousness of fresh mint brings together the savory and sweet elements of this salad. You can swap in basil or Thai basil for a similar but different take on it if you prefer.Feta Cheese - The real star of the show is salty feta cheese. When possible, reach for sheep’s or goat’s milk feta for the best flavor and consistency.Red Onion - The spicy bite of red onion is what takes this dish from the realm of fruit salad to just SALAD. If you want to remove a bit of the bite, soak the onion slices in cool water for about 30 minutes before adding to the salad.Lime - Acid is key in any salad dressing. I opted for bright lime because it pairs so nicely with both mint and watermelon. You can choose to swap in vinegar like balsamic or apple cider vinegar if you prefer.Extra Virgin Olive Oil - When it comes to salads or any dishes that aren’t cooked, I like to reach for cold pressed EVOO. It has a fruitier taste that is just delightful.Salt and Pepper - Don’t forget to season your watermelon salad! Salt and pepper are simple but necessary additions to getting this summer side just right.
How to make Watermelon Feta Salad
First, make your salad dressing. I like to make mine in a small jar with a tight fitting lid. Add all the ingredients… …then secure the lid and shake until combined. So easy, and almost no clean up! Look how perfectly emulsified it gets. Yum! Next, add your watermelon, red onion slices and mint to a mixing bowl. Drizzle with dressing to taste, then toss gently. When all ingredients are combined, top with feta cheese. Taste, seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed, then enjoy immediately!
Expert Tips
Optional Add-Ins
While this watermelon feta salad with mint is near perfect as is, feel free to play with it to create a combination that is all your own. Here are a few optional things you can add to bulk up the salad more:
Black olives or Kalamata olives add salty, briny flavor that is a terrific foil for the watermelon.Cucumbers add crunch and a bit of earthiness, while avocado adds a nice bit of creamy richness.Switch up your herbs or add greens. Basil or Thai basil makes a great sub for the mint, and I love pairing this savory sweet salad with peppery rocket or arugula. Spinach, mixed greens or kale could all work too! If you want some crunch, think about adding some nuts. Pistachios, almonds, walnuts, or pecans would all work well here.There’s also the option for dressing variations - balsamic vinegar, red wine vinegar, or apple cider vinegar could all be used to replace the lime and give this salad a more savory flavor.
Serving and Storage
For best results, serve this watermelon and feta cheese salad immediately after tossing with the dressing. It is best served cold alongside your favorite barbecue dishes with vegetables, chicken, shrimps and Salmon. If you happen to have any leftovers, you can keep them in the refrigerator for up to two days. Just note that the salad will become much juicier as it sits because the dressing will leach the liquid from the watermelon.
More Fruity Recipes for Summer
If you tried my recipe for Watermelon Feta Salad with Mint, please be sure to rate and review it below! I’d also love it if you tagged me on Instagram so I can see your beautiful creations. For more yummy meal ideas, sign up for my email newsletter! You can also follow me on Pinterest, Instagram or Facebook or YouTube to see what I’m up to in the kitchen.
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