This Easy Watermelon Salad with Feta is the ultimate refreshing side dish or light meal, especially as the weather starts to warm up! It’s an incredibly simple yet delicious combination of juicy, sweet watermelon cubes, salty crumbled feta cheese, fresh mint and basil, all brightened up with a squeeze of fresh lime juice. I absolutely adore making this Watermelon Feta Salad during the spring and summer months (it’s perfect right now in late April!) – it takes just minutes to prepare, requires no cooking, and delivers the perfect mix of sweet and savory flavors. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for any barbecue, picnic, or potluck!
Why You’ll Love This Watermelon Feta Salad
- Incredibly Refreshing: The combination of cool watermelon, mint, and lime is the ultimate thirst quencher on a warm day.
- Sweet and Savory: A delightful contrast between sweet watermelon and salty feta cheese.
- Super Easy & Quick: No cooking involved! Just chop and toss – ready in about 10 minutes.
- Healthy: Features hydrating watermelon, fresh herbs, and protein from feta.
- Beautiful Presentation: The vibrant red watermelon, white feta, and green herbs look stunning together.
Ingredients for Easy Watermelon Salad with Feta
Here’s what you’ll need for this simple and refreshing salad. The full list with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Main Ingredients
- Seedless watermelon, cut into cubes and chilled (Fruit)
- Feta cheese, crumbled (Dairy)
- Fresh mint, chopped (Herb)
- Fresh basil leaves, chopped (Herb)
- Freshly squeezed lime juice (Acid)
(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card below.)
Variations
While the beauty of this Watermelon Feta Salad lies in its simplicity, here are some fantastic variations:
- Add Cucumber: Mix in some diced cucumber for extra crunch and freshness.
- Include Red Onion: Add very thinly sliced red onion (soak in ice water first to mellow the bite) for a savory kick.
- Make it Spicy: Add finely diced jalapeño or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes.
- Add Olives: Toss in some pitted Kalamata olives for another salty element.
- Different Herbs: Use only mint or only basil, or try adding cilantro.
- Balsamic Glaze: Drizzle with a balsamic glaze instead of or in addition to the lime juice for a different tangy sweetness.
- Add Nuts/Seeds: Sprinkle with toasted pumpkin seeds (pepitas) or pistachios for crunch.
How to Make Easy Watermelon Salad with Feta
Making this refreshing Watermelon Feta Salad couldn’t be easier:
Combine and Serve
- In a large salad bowl or on a shallow platter, I place the chilled, cubed watermelon.
- I sprinkle the crumbled feta cheese evenly over the watermelon.
- Next, I scatter the chopped fresh basil and chopped fresh mint over the salad ingredients.
- I drizzle the fresh lime juice over everything.
- Gently, I toss all the ingredients together to combine them. I try not to overmix, as watermelon can break down.
- I chill the salad briefly until ready to serve.
- Just before serving, I garnish with a few more mint leaves and basil leaves, and maybe an extra squeeze of lime juice to taste. Enjoy!
Tips and Tricks for the BEST Watermelon Salad
Here are my secrets for making this Watermelon Feta Salad truly exceptional:
- Use Seedless Watermelon: Makes preparation much easier and eating more enjoyable.
- Chill the Watermelon: Ensure the watermelon is well-chilled before assembling the salad for maximum refreshment.
- Use Block Feta: Feta packed in brine and crumbled yourself generally has better flavor and texture than pre-crumbled.
- Fresh Herbs are Essential: Use fresh mint and basil for the best bright flavor. Dried herbs won’t work well here.
- Don’t Dress Too Far Ahead: While chilling briefly helps meld flavors, dressing the salad hours in advance can draw out too much water from the watermelon. Assemble closer to serving time.
- Gentle Toss: Mix the ingredients gently to avoid crushing the watermelon or feta too much.
How to Serve
This Easy Watermelon Salad with Feta is perfect served chilled as:
- A Refreshing Side Dish: Ideal for BBQs, picnics, potlucks, and summer dinners alongside grilled meats, chicken, or fish.
- A Light Lunch: Enjoy a larger portion on its own on a hot day.
- An Appetizer: Serve in small cups or bowls as a light starter.
- Part of a Brunch Spread: Adds a beautiful, fresh element to brunch.
Make Ahead and Storage
This salad is best enjoyed fresh, within a few hours of making it.
- Prep Ahead: You can cube the watermelon and crumble the feta up to a day ahead. Store them separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. Chop herbs just before assembling.
- Assembly: Assemble the salad no more than a few hours before serving for the best texture.
- Storage: Leftover Watermelon Feta Salad can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 1 day, but the watermelon will release water and the texture will change. It’s definitely best fresh!
FAQs about Easy Watermelon Salad with Feta
- What kind of feta cheese is best?
- Greek feta made from sheep’s milk (or a sheep/goat milk blend) packed in brine usually has the best tangy flavor and creamy-yet-crumbly texture.
- Can I use a different type of melon?
- Cantaloupe or honeydew could be interesting substitutes, though the flavor profile would be quite different from this classic Watermelon Feta Salad.
- Is there a substitute for lime juice?
- Fresh lemon juice would work, or a light white balsamic vinegar could provide a different type of acidity.
Enjoy this incredibly refreshing, simple, and delicious Easy Watermelon Salad with Feta! It’s the perfect taste of summer (and spring!).
Print
Easy Watermelon Salad with Feta
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 8 1x
- Category: Salad, Side Dish, Appetizer, Gluten-Free
- Cuisine: Mediterranean-Inspired, American
Description
Watermelon salad with feta is the perfect mix of savory and sweet. Try this refreshing watermelon salad ASAP as a wonderful addition to any meal in summer! It’s incredibly easy to make and bursting with fresh flavors.
Ingredients
- 1 (8-pound / 3.5 kg) seedless watermelon, rind removed, flesh cut into cubes and chilled
- 1/2 pound (225g) feta cheese, crumbled (preferably block feta crumbled by hand)
- 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves, chopped
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
- 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice (plus more for serving, optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Cut the chilled watermelon into bite-sized cubes. Crumble the feta cheese. Chop the fresh mint and basil leaves. Juice the lime.
- Combine: In a large salad bowl or on a shallow serving platter, combine the chilled watermelon cubes, crumbled feta cheese, chopped basil, and chopped mint.
- Dress: Drizzle the fresh lime juice over the salad ingredients.
- Toss Gently: Toss the salad gently to combine the ingredients without mashing the watermelon or feta too much.
- Chill (Optional): Chill the salad for about 15-30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld, or serve immediately.
- Serve: Before serving, garnish with more fresh mint leaves and basil, if desired. You can also offer an extra drizzle of lime juice on the side. Serve chilled.
Notes
- Watermelon: Use a ripe, sweet seedless watermelon. Ensure it’s well-chilled for a refreshing salad.
- Feta: Use block feta packed in brine and crumble it yourself for the best flavor and texture. Pre-crumbled feta can be drier.
- Herbs: Fresh mint and basil are key to the flavor profile. Don’t substitute dried herbs.
- Lime Juice: Freshly squeezed lime juice provides brightness. Adjust the amount to your taste.
- Variations: Add thinly sliced red onion, cucumber, or Kalamata olives for extra flavor and texture. A drizzle of olive oil or a pinch of black pepper can also be added.
- Storage: This salad is best enjoyed fresh, shortly after making it, as the watermelon will release water and the feta can become soft over time. Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 1 day.