Watermelon Feta Salad With Mint
This Watermelon Feta Salad is a refreshing summer side dish made with ripe & juicy watermelon, feta cheese, & fresh mint for the perfect balance of sweet, salty, & herbaceous. It comes together in just 10 minutes with no cooking, making it ideal for BBQs, picnics, and warm-weather gatherings!
Servings: 6 Servings
Calories: 179kcal
Ingredients
- ½ Large Watermelon or 1 small
- ½ Red Onion
- ½ Cup Fresh Mint chopped
- 1 Cup Feta Cheese sheep's milk
- 1 Lemon juiced
- 2 Cloves Garlic
- 1 Teaspoon Flaky Sea Salt
- 1 Teaspoon Pepper
Instructions
- Refrigerate the watermelon for at least 2 hours to keep it firm, then cut it into ½-inch cubes (about 6 cups). Thinly slice the red onion and chop the mint. Remove the feta from the brine (reserve 1 teaspoon of brine), pat dry, and crumble into bite-sized chunks. In a small bowl, whisk together the juice of 1 lemon, 2 cloves of minced garlic, the reserved feta brine, flaky sea salt, and freshly cracked black pepper; the brine adds lactic acid and helps the dressing cling to the watermelon.
- Add the watermelon, chopped red onion, chopped mint, and ½ cup of crumbled feta to a large bowl. Pour the dressing over top and gently toss, avoiding vigorous mixing to keep the watermelon intact. Scatter the other ½ cup of crumbled feta on top just before serving to preserve texture, and serve immediately, or refrigerate up to 30 minutes if needed.
Notes
- Best Temperature For Serving: This watermelon mint salad is best served chilled (around 50-55°F) rather than ice-cold. This preserves the crunch and highlights the mint's floral notes; I always remove it from the fridge 10 minutes before serving.
- Flaky Salt Is Best: Large-flake sea salt like Maldon or fleur de sel maintains the watermelon's structure longer than fine table salt, keeping the salad crisp for over an hour.
- Sheep's Milk Feta Wins: Higher-fat feta (6-8% in sheep's milk vs. 4-5% in cow's milk) stays creamy and moist.
- Cube Size Matters: Cut the watermelon into ½-inch cubes to reduce moisture release and ensure each bite has a perfect balance of fruit, feta, and mint.
Nutrition
Calories: 179kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 13mg | Sodium: 1004mg | Potassium: 484mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 25g | Vitamin A: 2297IU | Vitamin C: 42mg | Calcium: 44mg | Iron: 1mg
