Summer brings an abundance of fresh, juicy watermelons that are completely irresistible. I could eat a whole watermelon myself in a sitting. There’s something about their sweet, refreshing taste that perfectly complements the warm weather. One of my absolute favorite ways to enjoy this summer fruit is in an easy Watermelon Feta Salad, ready in minutes & unbelievably good.
At first glance, the combo of watermelon, feta cheese, mint, and red onion might seem a little weird, but trust me, it’s one of the most refreshing and amazing combinations. The sweetness of the watermelon, the saltiness of the feta cheese, the fresh mint, and the hint of red onion. All seasoned with the garlic, lemon, salt, & pepper come together to create an explosion of delightful flavor! 🍉🌿
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A Cook-Off Winner!
I couldn’t post this recipe without giving a shoutout to my brother Jake. He loves to experiment with fun flavors and recipes, so I’m giving him some credit on this one! The idea of the Watermelon Feta Salad was created in a family cook-off, and I’ve tweaked some of the flavors to make it my own. I’m pretty sure we had this almost every night for month with shrimp or salmon. I never got sick of it!
How to Make a Watermelon Feta Salad
To make this salad, you’ll only need a few ingredients. Once you’ve gathered the ingredients, chopping & assembly is done in less than 10 minutes!
Ingredients
- 1/2 Large Watermelon (or one small)
- 1 Red Onion
- 1 Cup Feta Cheese
- 1/2 Cup Fresh Mint chopped
- 1 Lemon juiced
- 2 Cloves Garlic
- 1 Teaspoon Salt
- 1 Teaspoon Pepper
How to Pick a Ripe Watermelon
To choose a ripe & deliciously sweet watermelon, look for one that feels heavy for its size. In addition, look for a watermelon without any soft spots or bruises that is a dull and dark green color (not shiny). The spot at the bottom of the watermelon (known as the field spot) should be a creamy yellow color. This tells you that the watermelon ripened on the vine. The last test is easy! Knock on the watermelon, and a perfect melon should produce a deep, hollow sound, which indicates it is full of water and ripe!
Step-By-Step
I suggest letting the watermelon chill in the refrigerator before making this recipe. once you’ve let it chill for a few minutes, cut the watermelon into small cubes.
Thinly slice the red onion, and chop the mint. In a large bowl, combine the watermelon, onion, fresh mint, & crumbled feta cheese! If you don’t want to season the salad, the salad is wonderful as is. But I personally like to add a few more ingredients to spice it up!
Add the juice of a lemon, minced garlic, and some salt & pepper! Feel free to tailor the amount of these ingredients to your taste!
Mix all of the ingredients & enjoy!
Watermelon Feta Salad Variations
You’re probably wondering, what else pairs well with watermelon in a salad? I think you’d be surprised! There are so many different styles, cuisines, and ingredients that can “dress up” this salad! It all depends on the flavors that intrigue you.
Flavor Profile Options: I suggest starting with the general flavor profile or cuisine you’re looking to go with! Because of the hint of mint in my watermelon feta salad, I tend to pair it with greek inspired flavors! Feel free to change up the cuisine by adding herbs like fresh basil & oregano, or cilantro.
Watermelon Salad Dressings: The dressing, if any, you decide to add is all up to you. I went simple—lemon juice, garlic, salt, & pepper…but you are certainly not confined to that choice! Feel free to add on to those flavors, omit them completely, or use your favorite dressing or seasonings. Some of my other favorite watermelon salad dressings include: balsamic glaze, a pesto dressing, red wine vinegar, honey mint dressing, balsamic vinaigrette, or a Greek vinaigrette.
Additional Ingredient Ideas: The choices here are endless! I love adding more ingredients to this salad. Try adding arugula, cucumbers, radishes, blackberries, oranges, tomatoes, pomegranates, avocados, olives, watercress, quinoa, chickpeas, or orzo. Nuts are also a great ingredient to experiment with. I’d suggest pine nuts, pecans, pistachios, or walnuts. If you don’t love feta, try goat cheese or mozzarella as a replacement.
Like I said, the options are endless and it’s hard to go wrong with such delicious flavors—enjoy!
What to Serve with Watermelon Salad?
I like this salad best with seafood but it could easily go with any protein. My favorite pairing at the moment is garlic and lemon marinaded grilled shrimp, or my delicious salmon recipe! Some additional options include steak, chicken, or prosciutto!
What Are the Health Benefits of Watermelon?
Watermelon is not only so sweet & flavorful but also packed with lots of nutritional value. It is high in vitamins A & C, as well as lycopene—a powerful antioxidant. Additionally, watermelon is very hydrating due to its high water content, making it a refreshing choice, especially during the hot summer months!
Frequently Asked Questions!
Yes! I mentioned this above, but some great fruits to add include oranges, blackberries, pomegranate, grapefruit, even dried fruits, like raisins or figs.
Yes, this salad is completely gluten-free!
Store this salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days!
Yes! If you decide to make it ahead of time, wait to add the feta cheese until you’re ready to serve the salad.
More Summer Salad Ideas!
I’m a lover of refreshing summer salads, so I have a few more of my recipes I’d love to share with you! 🌿
Peach Balsamic Steak Salad: Colorado peaches in the summer are a dream. This Peach Balsamic Steak Salad is everything good in one dish—sweet, savory, fresh, summery, healthy goodness!
Mexican Chickpea Salsa Salad: This Mexican Chickpea Salsa Salad is one of my mom’s easy staple salads! It’s full of bright, colorful, and healthy ingredients. It’s light, refreshing, protein-packed, and just as easy to make as it is delicious.
Simple Beet Grapefruit Salad with Goat Cheese: This Simple Roasted Beet Grapefruit Salad topped with goat cheese, pistachios, fresh lemon vinaigrette & golden raisins is the ideal salad for any season. It’s sweet, tangy and earthy elements perfectly mesh into the most fresh and beautiful salad.
Enjoy!
This Watermelon Feta Salad is not only delicious but also incredibly easy to make! So why not give it a try and add a little summer sweetness to your day?
Have the sweetest day & tag me on Instagram when you make this recipe! @entirelyemmy 🍉
Easy Watermelon Feta Salad With Mint
Ingredients
- 1/2 Large Watermelon (or one small)
- 1 Red Onion
- 1/2 Cup Fresh Mint chopped
- 1 Cup Feta Cheese
- 1 Lemon juiced
- 2 Cloves Garlic
- 1 Teaspoon Salt
- 1 Teaspoon Pepper
Instructions
- Once you’ve let it chill, cut the watermelon into small cubes. I prefer 1/4-1/2 inch cubes.
- Thinly slice the red onion, and chop the mint. In a large bowl, combine the watermelon, onion, fresh mint, & crumbled feta cheese.
- Add the juice of a lemon, minced garlic, and some salt & pepper! Feel free to tailor the amount of these ingredients to your taste! Stir & enjoy!
We had this with shrimp—so good! Kind of like a ceviche. Thanks for all the tips as well. They were really helpful!
Of course! I’m glad you found this helpful—that sounds incredible ☺️