If you haven't yet tried the absolute marvel that is Watermelon Feta Salad, now's your chance. Sweet & sour, salty and simply addictive, this is the summer salad of your dreams! This is the only recipe you will need for an all star refreshing mint watermelon feta salad meant for summers.
Table of Contents
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!
FAQs
When looking for a watermelon, try to find one that feels heavy for its size - that means it'll be nice and juicy! You should also look for clearly demarcated stripes and a dull exterior. If the rind is shiny or the stripes aren't clear, the melon isn't ripe yet.
I don't recommend tossing the salad until you're ready to serve. Since the watermelon has such a high liquid content and since the dressing has salt, all the juices will get leached from the fruit as it sits.
That said, feel free to prep your melon and onion by cutting it up to a day ahead. You can also make and store the dressing up to a week in advance.
You can absolutely skip the dressing if you prefer - simply add mint, red onion, and watermelon to a bowl, season with salt pepper and some lime juice, toss and top with feta cheese. I personally love the addition of heart healthy olive oil, but it isn't necessary.
You can also opt to top the salad with Balsamic glaze instead of lime. Alternatively, you can drizzle some honey or maple syrup if you prefer a sweeter salad.
Expert Tips
- To make your life a little easier, seedless watermelons work best. If unavailable, you can buy a conventional melon and remove the seeds while cutting it into cubes. You also use melon baller to give this salad a fancier look.
- For the best taste and consistency, make sure your watermelon is chilled prior to assembly.
- Goat or sheep milk's feta is preferred for this watermelon salad. I also recommend that you buy blocks and crumble it yourself rather than purchasing pre-crumbled cheese.
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.
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Watermelon Feta Salad Recipe
Ingredients
Lime Dressing
- 4 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 2 tablespoons Lime Juice
- 1 teaspoon Salt and Pepper
- 1 teaspoon Lime Zest
For Salad
- 6 cups Seedless Watermelon (cubed and chilled)
- ¾ cup Onion (thinly sliced)
- ¼ cup Mint Leaves
- 6 oz Feta Cheese
Instructions
- In a jar or small bowl whisk together all the ingredients for the salad dressing.
- In large bowl, add cubed watermelon, sliced onion, and chopped mint. Drizzle the dressing and toss gently, until everything combines well.
- Top the salad with crumbled feta cheese. Serve chilled.
Notes
- To make your life a little easier, seedless watermelons work best. If unavailable, you can buy a conventional melon and remove the seeds while cutting it into cubes.
- For the best taste and consistency, make sure your watermelon is chilled prior to assembly.
- Goat or sheep milk's feta is preferred for this watermelon salad. I also recommend that you buy blocks and crumble it yourself rather than purchasing pre-crumbled cheese.
Loreto and Nicoletta says
One would not think of watermelon and feta together, however this is such a wonderful summer dish. I love it bthe mint, feta and that favorite of mine watermelon. Thanks for reminding me of this salad. It us definitely a winner in our books!😋❤👍👌
Moop Brown says
This salad looks super refreshing and like a perfect summer recipe. Thank you for sharing!
Erin says
I made this today and it was so delicious and easy! I love the flavor that mint adds. Thanks for the great recipe!
Mama Maggie's Kitchen says
This looks insanely, incredibly good. Sooo yummy! I never tried this with mint. It's making me crave.
Linda says
This is my favorite salad and I just happened to have all the ingredients ready. Can't wait to try this recipe!
Leslie says
I still have not tried this type of salad, but this is my year!!! Love your expert tips on this recipe! Thank you!
Ramona says
I have made something like this before and I will definitely make it again in the summer! I will use this recipe since it looks delicious, thank you for sharing!
Marta says
Excellent recipe! The briny feta goes great with the mile watermelon. Thanks.
veenaazmanov says
Love the combination of watermelon and Feta cheese. Yum.. The Tangy dressing is the icing to this refreshing summer salad.
Sharon says
This fruit salad is so refreshing. The Lime Dressing is the perfect topping paired with the creamy feta cheese.