Sweet and savory, this Watermelon Salad with feta cheese and fresh mint is a light and refreshing side salad that comes together in minutes, tossed with a quick and easy homemade vinaigrette. It’s perfect for summer picnics, potlucks, or grilling out at home.

 

Easy Summer Salad with Watermelon

With cubes of juicy watermelon and crumbled feta, this easy watermelon salad is sweet, savory, and salty, all in one bite. Watermelon and feta may seem like a strange combo – I definitely raised my eyebrow at first – but it works. The flavor combination is so perfect! When I think back to picnics at the beach on hot summer days, watermelon and feta cheese are what my parents would bring with them every time.

Then again, considering many people add salt to their watermelon, I suppose watermelon and salty feta aren’t too far of a stretch. Add in some fresh mint leaves, and you have the trifecta of bold, mouthwatering flavors.

While you can turn this watermelon salad into a meal, I most often serve it as a side dish. It’s perfect for potlucks and picnics, as it adds a pop of color to any table and is a nice alternative to heavier mayo-based salads or pasta salads. It pairs beautifully alongside other favorites like my heirloom tomato salad, making it a go-to for fresh, summery gatherings. This salad has become one of my favorite ways to enjoy fresh ingredients on a hot summer day.

What You’ll Need

This feta and watermelon salad is made with just a handful of fresh ingredients. Most can be purchased fresh at the grocery store or farmer’s market.

For the Salad

• Mixed Salad Greens: Pick up a pre-made mix or choose your favorite lettuce. Substitute with any preferred leafy greens, such as Romaine lettuce, spinach, or arugula.
• Watermelon: Adds a sweet and juicy element to the salad. Remove the seeds for easy eating, and cut it into cubes. You can also grab a seedless watermelon. Cantaloupe or honeydew melon could offer a similar texture.
• Blueberries: Berries add an extra burst of sweetness and color. You could also try it with raspberries for a different twist.
• Red Onion: Thinly sliced onions add a sharp contrast to the sweet fruits.
• Crumbled Feta Cheese: Provides a salty, creamy garnish that complements the sweet watermelon. Goat cheese is a great alternative.
• Freshly Cracked Black Pepper: Enhances the overall flavor with a slight kick.
• Mint Leaves: For garnish, mint leaves add a refreshing and aromatic touch. For a different herb flavor, substitute fresh basil.

For the Vinaigrette

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil: The base of the vinaigrette, helping to combine the ingredients.
• Fresh Lime Juice: Freshly squeezed lime juice adds a tangy brightness to the vinaigrette. Use lemon juice for a slightly different citrus note.
• Minced Garlic: Infuses the vinaigrette with a robust flavor.
• Salt & Black Pepper: Enhances the flavors of the vinaigrette.

How to Make Watermelon Salad

This easy summer salad recipe comes together quickly with minimal prep. All you need is about 20 minutes to prepare and assemble the ingredients.

1. Combine the salad ingredients. In a large bowl, toss together the greens, watermelon, blueberries, and onions.
2. Prepare the vinaigrette. In a separate bowl, whisk together all the vinaigrette ingredients.
3. Garnish and serve. When you’re ready to serve, add the vinaigrette to the salad and toss to combine. Then, garnish with the feta, cracked black pepper, and mint leaves. If you like, drizzle a bit of balsamic glaze over the salad, too.

Serving Suggestions

This watermelon and mint salad is great for summer BBQs and potlucks and goes exceptionally well with these grilled chicken thighs or this honey mustard chicken. This perfect summer salad is also a great accompaniment to a juicy grilled steak and these fantastic easy shrimp skewers. Grilled pizza, too!

ENJOY!

More Summer Salad Recipes:

• Tuna Salad with Avocado and Cucumbers
• Radish Cucumber Tomato Salad
• Green Goddess Salad
• Easy Sesame Cucumber Salad
• Tomato Avocado Corn Salad