Watermelon Feta Salad (Printable Version)
Sweet watermelon, creamy feta, cucumber and mint tossed in a bright lime-olive dressing; ready in 15 minutes.
# Ingredient List:
→ Produce
01 - 4 cups seedless watermelon, cut into 1-inch cubes
02 - 1 cup English cucumber, diced
03 - 1/4 small red onion, thinly sliced into half-moons
04 - 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, hand-torn
05 - 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, hand-torn (optional)
→ Dairy
06 - 3/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled
→ Dressing
07 - 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
08 - 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
09 - 1/2 teaspoon honey or agave syrup
10 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
# How to Make:
01 - Cube the seedless watermelon into 1-inch pieces, dice the cucumber, thinly slice the red onion into half-moons, and hand-tear the fresh mint and basil leaves. Combine all prepared produce in a large mixing bowl.
02 - In a small bowl, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, fresh lime juice, honey (or agave syrup), salt, and freshly ground black pepper until the mixture is fully emulsified and well blended.
03 - Drizzle the prepared dressing evenly over the watermelon and vegetable mixture. Toss gently to coat all ingredients without breaking apart the delicate watermelon cubes.
04 - Scatter the crumbled feta cheese over the dressed salad. Toss once more with a light hand to distribute the feta evenly. Serve immediately, garnished with additional fresh mint leaves if desired.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- Zero cooking means you can throw this together while your guests are still arriving and look like you planned it for hours.
- The contrast of juicy watermelon with tangy feta is one of those flavor pairings that makes people close their eyes when they eat.
02 -
- Watermelon releases liquid fast once it is cut, so assembling this more than an hour ahead will leave you with a soupy mess at the bottom of the bowl.
- Adding the feta at the very end and folding gently instead of tossing hard keeps those precious creamy crumbs intact.
03 -
- Pat the watermelon cubes dry with a paper towel before assembling and the dressing will cling instead of sliding off.
- Chill your serving bowl in the freezer for fifteen minutes beforehand and the salad stays cold on the table far longer than you would expect.