The Watermelon Feta Salad is a refreshing and surprisingly simple dish that’s perfect for light lunches, picnics, or as a side to grilled meats. This easy-to-make salad offers a delightful balance of sweet and savory flavors, making it a welcome addition to any summer gathering or weeknight meal rotation.
Key Ingredients for Watermelon Feta Salad
- 1 small seedless watermelon (about 4-5 pounds), cut into 1-inch cubes
- 8 ounces feta cheese, crumbled or cut into 1/2-inch cubes
- 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, thinly sliced (chiffonade)
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion (optional, for a sharper bite)
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon balsamic glaze (or balsamic vinegar)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
How to Make Watermelon Feta Salad
This Watermelon Feta Salad is incredibly easy to whip up, taking just minutes from start to finish. It’s a no-cook wonder that bursts with fresh, vibrant flavors, balancing the crisp sweetness of watermelon with the salty tang of feta and the herbaceous notes of mint and basil. The optional red onion adds a pleasant zesty kick, while a drizzle of olive oil and balsamic glaze ties it all together. This recipe is a true crowd-pleaser, perfect for those hot summer days when you want something quick, delicious, and satisfying. Preparation time: 15 minutes.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Watermelon: Start by cutting your seedless watermelon into bite-sized cubes, approximately 1-inch in size. Aim for uniformity in size so that each bite offers a consistent experience. Place the watermelon cubes into a large serving bowl.
- Add the Feta Cheese: If you haven’t already, crumble your feta cheese or cut it into bite-sized cubes. Gently add the feta cheese to the bowl with the watermelon. The crumbled feta will distribute more evenly, while cubes offer distinct pockets of salty goodness.
- Incorporate Fresh Herbs: Thinly slice your fresh mint leaves to create a fine chiffonade. Do the same for your fresh basil leaves. The vibrant aroma and fresh taste of these herbs are crucial to the salad’s refreshing profile. Scatter the sliced mint and basil over the watermelon and feta.
- Add Red Onion (Optional): If you enjoy a bit of a peppery or sharp contrast, thinly slice your red onion. You can soak the sliced red onion in cold water for about 10 minutes before adding it to the salad to mellow its flavor slightly, if desired. Add the sliced red onion to the bowl if using.
- Dress the Salad: Drizzle the extra virgin olive oil generously over the ingredients in the bowl. Follow this with a drizzle of balsamic glaze. The balsamic glaze adds a concentrated sweetness and tang that complements the other flavors beautifully. If you don’t have balsamic glaze, you can use 1 tablespoon of good quality balsamic vinegar.
- Season and Toss: Season the salad with a pinch of salt and a generous grinding of fresh black pepper. Be mindful of the saltiness of the feta cheese, and adjust accordingly. Gently toss all the ingredients together until they are well combined. Be careful not to over-toss, as this can break down the watermelon too much.
- Serve Immediately: For the best flavor and texture, serve your Watermelon Feta Salad immediately. The flavors meld wonderfully on standing for a few minutes, but the watermelon remains crisp and refreshing.
Why You’ll Love This Watermelon Feta Salad
You’ll adore this Watermelon Feta Salad for its incredibly refreshing palate and vibrant flavor fusion that sings of summer. It delivers a delightful contrast between the juicy sweetness of ripe watermelon and the salty, briny punch of crumbled feta, elevated by the aromatic lift of fresh mint and basil. Compared to a simple fruit salad, this dish offers a sophisticated savory dimension that makes it a fantastic light meal or elegant side dish without the fuss.
Beyond its delightful taste, making this Watermelon Feta Salad at home is wonderfully cost-effective, especially when watermelon is in season. It allows you to control the quality of your ingredients and avoid the markup of pre-made salads, ensuring a fresher, more flavorful experience for a fraction of the price. The simplicity of its assembly, requiring no cooking whatsoever, makes it an ideal recipe for busy individuals or those looking for a quick yet impressive dish. So, gather your fresh ingredients and dive into this sensational salad – your taste buds will thank you!
Storing and Reheating Tips
This Watermelon Feta Salad is best enjoyed fresh, as the watermelon can become watery and lose its crispness over time. However, if you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1-2 days. The feta cheese will help to preserve some moisture, but the texture of the watermelon will soften.
Because of its high water content, this salad is not ideal for reheating. Freezing is also not recommended, as the watermelon will become mushy upon thawing. If you have leftovers, simply serve them cold directly from the refrigerator. You might want to gently re-toss them before serving to redistribute any settled dressing. For optimal freshness, consider preparing only what you plan to consume in one sitting, or drain off any excess liquid before storing.
Final Thoughts
This Watermelon Feta Salad is a true testament to how simple ingredients can create a sensational dish bursting with flavor. It’s the perfect embodiment of summer refreshment, and we encourage you to give this delightful recipe a try for your next gathering or as a light, invigorating meal.
Watermelon Feta Salad
Ingredients
Method
- Start by cutting your seedless watermelon into bite-sized cubes, approximately 1-inch in size. Aim for uniformity in size so that each bite offers a consistent experience. Place the watermelon cubes into a large serving bowl.1 small seedless watermelon
- If you haven’t already, crumble your feta cheese or cut it into bite-sized cubes. Gently add the feta cheese to the bowl with the watermelon. The crumbled feta will distribute more evenly, while cubes offer distinct pockets of salty goodness.8 ounces feta cheese
- Thinly slice your fresh mint leaves to create a fine chiffonade. Do the same for your fresh basil leaves. The vibrant aroma and fresh taste of these herbs are crucial to the salad’s refreshing profile. Scatter the sliced mint and basil over the watermelon and feta.1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
- If you enjoy a bit of a peppery or sharp contrast, thinly slice your red onion. You can soak the sliced red onion in cold water for about 10 minutes before adding it to the salad to mellow its flavor slightly, if desired. Add the sliced red onion to the bowl if using.1/4 cup red onion
- Drizzle the extra virgin olive oil generously over the ingredients in the bowl. Follow this with a drizzle of balsamic glaze. The balsamic glaze adds a concentrated sweetness and tang that complements the other flavors beautifully. If you don’t have balsamic glaze, you can use 1 tablespoon of good quality balsamic vinegar.2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, 1 tablespoon balsamic glaze
- Season the salad with a pinch of salt and a generous grinding of fresh black pepper. Be mindful of the saltiness of the feta cheese, and adjust accordingly. Gently toss all the ingredients together until they are well combined. Be careful not to over-toss, as this can break down the watermelon too much.X to taste salt, X to taste freshly ground black pepper
- For the best flavor and texture, serve your Watermelon Feta Salad immediately. The flavors meld wonderfully on standing for a few minutes, but the watermelon remains crisp and refreshing.