Easy Watermelon Feta Salad
Watermelon is one of my favorite parts of summertime. It’s cold, juicy, refreshing, and sweet — perfect for hot weather! At first, this salad might seem like a weird combo. (Watermelon and feta? Really?) But trust me; these two go together perfectly. The tangy, salty feta and sweet, juicy watermelon are a match made in heaven! I love the added crunch the fresh cucumber gives and the sliced red onion gives the salad a nice bite. Trust me if you bring this to a Summer barbecue it will disappear fast! This salad makes an awesome lunch or light dinner. Serve with grilled chicken for some added protein and a more filling meal!
Ingredients
Watermelon: Ripe fresh juicy watermelon is the base of this salad. Here’s how to pick the best watermelon! Feta: Adds a nice saltiness to the salad. You can use feta cheese from a block or pre crumbled feta. Red onion: Adds a nice bite to the salad. I find the red onion isn’t as strong the longer the salad sits in the fridge. Cucumber: Gives the salad a nice crunch! I like using English or Persian cucumbers because you don’t have to remove the seeds.
Vinaigrette:
Lemon juice: Adds a nice acidity to the dressing. You could also use fresh (not bottled) lime juice or red wine vinegar! Olive oil: I recommend using a good quality extra virgin olive oil. Honey: Gives the dressing a nice sweetness. If your watermelon isn’t as sweet as you would like you could always add a bit more honey to taste.
How To Make Watermelon Feta Salad
Start by cutting your watermelon. I use about a half of a small watermelon (about 5 cups total) The easiest way I have found to cut a watermelon is to slice off the top and bottom of the watermelon then cut off the sides of the watermelon. (see picture)
Then I cube up half of the watermelon and reserve the other half for later.
Make the dressing: Combine honey, lemon juice and olive oil in a small bowl and whisk to combine, set aside.
Add the cucumbers, watermelon, red onion and feta cheese to a large bowl. Add in the honey lemon dressing and toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste. You can serve immediately or let it sit in the fridge for a couple of hours to let the flavors develop.
Variations
Switch up the dressing! You could use balsamic vinegar or lime juice in place of the lemon juice! Add fresh herbs! Mint, basil or parsley would all be delicious in this salad! Add more fruit! Strawberries, halved cherry tomatoes, or sliced peaches would be great with this salad. Add some nuts! Walnuts, pecans, sliced almonds, or pistachios would add a nice crunch.
Storage Instructions
This Watermelon Salad is best served within a day or two. The cucumbers and watermelon can get pretty mushy after two days.
Here are some more salad recipes to try!
Mexican Salmon Salad Greek Kale Quinoa Salad Berry Spinach Salad with Berry Balsamic Vinaigrette Japanese Cucumber Salad Berry Fruit Salad
