This Watermelon Feta Salad is fresh, simple, and perfect for summer. Juicy watermelon, crisp cucumber, salty feta, and fresh herbs are tossed in a light lime dressing for the best sweet-and-savory combo. It’s quick to make and always a hit at cookouts, picnics, or anytime you need an easy side dish.
I love making creative and tasty salads and sides. If you’re looking for more delicious food to make with dinner, then you’ve gotta try my Creamy Mashed Potatoes. They go with anything. Or for something sweeter, give my Candied Yams With Marshmallows a shot. They’re comforting and scrumptious!
Easy Watermelon Feta Salad
There’s just something about that sweet and savory combo that makes this salad totally irresistible. The juicy watermelon is super refreshing, while the feta adds that creamy, tangy bite that takes you back for seconds. Toss in crisp cucumber, a little zing from red onion, and fresh herbs, and every forkful is bright, flavorful, and anything but boring.
This is the kind of easy summer recipe you’ll find yourself making on repeat. It comes together in minutes, doesn’t require any cooking, and tastes even better when everything is nice and cold.
Watermelon feta salad is made for sharing. Bring it to backyard BBQs, potlucks, picnics, or serve it alongside grilled chicken or burgers for a fresh pop of flavor. It’s one of those dishes that always gets people asking for the recipe, and trust me, once you make it, you’ll see why.
Watermelon Feta Salad Ingredients
There are two parts to this recipe – the salad and the dressing. And here is what you need for both.
The Salad
- Watermelon: Make sure it’s fresh and cold.
- Cucumber: Use your favorite kind of cucumber, like a seedless variety.
- Red Onion: This adds essential bite and crunch to the salad.
- Feta Cheese: Either cubed or crumbled will be perfect on the salad.
- Herbs: Both fresh basil and mint are essential to enhancing the sweetness of the watermelon.
The Dressing
- Olive Oil: Use your favorite kind of oil – olive oil has the best flavor.
- Lime Juice: For the best flavor, use juice from fresh limes.
- Honey: This naturally sweetens the salad dressing.
- Salt and Pepper: I suggest using sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.
How to Make Watermelon Feta Salad
Here are the basic instructions to make watermelon feta salad. Check out the recipe card at the bottom of this blog post with full ingredients and instructions to make it.
Next, dice the cucumber and slice the red onion into very thin slices. Add those in with the watermelon.
Sprinkle on the fresh chopped up herbs. Mix everything together.
Cooking Tips and Tricks
- Keep everything cold for the best flavor and texture; chill the watermelon, cucumber, and even the dressing before assembling so the salad stays crisp and refreshing.
- Slice the red onion extra thin to avoid overpowering bites; if it’s too sharp, soak the slices in cold water for a few minutes to mellow the flavor.
- Add the feta right before serving and toss gently to keep it from breaking down too much and to keep the salad looking fresh and vibrant.
Recipe Variations
- Swap the feta for goat cheese or fresh mozzarella for a slightly different creamy texture and flavor profile.
- Add a handful of arugula or spinach to turn this into a more filling watermelon salad with extra greens and a peppery bite.
- Toss in extras like sliced avocado, blueberries, or toasted nuts (like pistachios or almonds) to add more texture and flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make watermelon feta salad ahead of time? Yes, you can prep most of the ingredients a few hours in advance, but for the best texture, wait to add the dressing and feta until just before serving. This keeps everything fresh, prevents the watermelon from getting too watery, and helps the feta hold its shape.
How do I keep the salad from getting watery? Watermelon naturally releases juice as it sits, so to minimize extra liquid, keep the salad chilled and avoid over-mixing. You can also drain any excess juice from the watermelon before assembling, and wait to add the dressing until right before serving.
How to Store & Reheat
How to store it? Store leftover watermelon feta salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Keep it chilled and eat within 1–2 days for the best freshness and texture. If possible, store the dressing and feta separately and add just before serving.
How to freeze it? I wouldn’t freeze it. Watermelon, cucumber, and feta all change texture after freezing and thawing, so the salad turns watery and mushy instead of fresh and crisp.
If you want to prep ahead, make the dressing and chop the fruit and vegetables separately, then assemble everything right before serving.
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Watermelon Feta Salad
Ingredients
For the Dressing
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice 1 1/2 limes
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the Salad
- 6 cups cold watermelon one mini melon
- 1 large cucumber
- 1/4 cup red onion
- 2 tablespoons fresh mint minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil cut in thin ribbons
- 3/4 cup feta cheese cubed or crumbled
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lime juice, honey, salt and pepper. Set aside.
- Cut the watermelon into bite-sized cubes, but don’t make the pieces too small. Add into a large bowl.
- Next, dice the cucumber and slice the red onion into very thin slices. Add those in with the watermelon.
- Sprinkle on the fresh chopped up herbs. Mix everything together.
- Drizzle the dressing over the salad, gently toss.
- Sprinkle the feta over the whole salad as soon as you are going to serve it.
Notes
- Keep everything cold for the best flavor and texture; chill the watermelon, cucumber, and even the dressing before assembling so the salad stays crisp and refreshing.
- Slice the red onion extra thin to avoid overpowering bites; if it’s too sharp, soak the slices in cold water for a few minutes to mellow the flavor.
- Add the feta right before serving and toss gently to keep it from breaking down too much and to keep the salad looking fresh and vibrant.
- Salad will last 1-2 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
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