I am passionate about salads in all forms, and this Watermelon and Feta Salad is no different! Fresh in-season watermelon is so sweet and juicy, and crumbled feta cheese is so wonderfully salty. I drizzled this summery, fruity salad with a tangy vinegar dressing to make the flavors really pop. This flavorful salad is always in my top 10 side dishes every summer!
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I don’t know about you, but one thing that’s never left off my grocery list in the summertime is watermelon! We’re lucky here in Tennessee because you can find the sweetest and juiciest ones at our local farmers’ markets (or your neighbors!), but even if you buy them from the grocery store, they are affordable, especially when you consider how many servings you get out of just one melon!
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make watermelon and feta salad:
- White Vinegar: Has a mellow tangy flavor that enhances the flavor of the watermelon without overpowering it.
- Olive Oil: Adds to mouthfeel, acts as an emulsifier for the dressing, and adds a peppery aroma.
- Salt and Pepper: Enhance the natural flavors of the watermelon, cheese, and cucumber.
- Homemade Balsamic Glaze: Enhances the tangy and sweet flavors of this dish.
- Watermelon: This sweet and juicy fruit is so hydrating on a hot summer day.
- Feta Cheese: Adds creaminess and saltiness to the salad.
- Cucumber: Adds a crisp crunch and refreshing flavor.
- Red Onion: Adds a little bit of bite to the salad to balance out the sweetness.
- Fresh Herbs: Fresh mint and parsley enhance the refreshing flavors of this salad.
What Else Can I Add?
This watermelon and feta salad is so delicious as is, but it’s also great with these additions:
- Finely minced shallot
- Bell Peppers
- Minced fresh basil (fine herbs of all kinds, really!)
- Chopped Avocado
- Tajín chili lime seasoning
Storage Tips
Watermelon, as its name suggests, is full of water. I recommend enjoying this salad shortly after it’s made for the best flavor and texture. However, it will keep for up to 2 days in the refrigerator. You may need to drain off excess juice before serving, and I highly recommend giving the salad a good toss!
Watermelon and Feta Salad
Servings 6 (1.5 cups per person)Ingredients
Dressing:
- 1 Tbsp white vinegar ($0.02)
- 2 Tbsp olive oil ($0.34)
- 1/2 tsp salt ($0.01)
- 1/2 tsp freshly cracked black pepper ($0.08)
- 2 Tbsp Homemade Balsamic Glaze ($0.58)
Salad:
- 1/2 small watermelon, diced (about 4 cups) ($1.98)
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese ($2.88)
- 1 cucumber, peeled and diced ($0.64)
- 1/2 red onion, finely julienned ($0.46)
- 2 Tbsp minced fresh mint ($0.89)
- 2 Tbsp minced fresh parsley ($0.16)
Instructions
- To make the dressing, combine white vinegar, olive oil, salt and pepper in a bowl. Whisk to emulsify.
- Dice watermelon into 1/2-inch cubes.
- Gather diced watermelon, crumbled feta cheese, diced cucumber, julienned onion, minced parsley and mint.
- Pour dressing over watermelon salad components.
- Gently toss the salad in a large mixing bowl until combined. Be careful to not mash up all of the watermelon cubes! I like to let my watermelon feta salad sit in the refrigerator, covered, for a bit (even up to an hour or so!) to let the flavors really meld.
- Drizzle each portion with a generous swirl of Homemade Balsamic Glaze. Top with extra salt and pepper if needed and enjoy!
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Nutrition
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how to make Watermelon and Feta Salad – step by step photos
To make the dressing, combine 1 Tbsp white vinegar, 2 Tbsp olive oil, 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp pepper in a bowl. Whisk to emulsify.
Dice 1/2 of a small watermelon into 1/2-inch cubes.
Gather the diced watermelon, 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese, 1 diced cucumber, 1/2 of a julienned red onion, and 2 Tbsp each minced parsley and mint.
Pour the dressing over watermelon salad components.
Gently toss the salad in a large mixing bowl until combined. Be careful to not mash up all of the watermelon cubes! I like to let my watermelon feta salad sit in the refrigerator, covered, for a bit (even up to an hour or so!) to let the flavors really meld. Drizzle each portion with 1/2 Tbsp Homemade Balsamic Glaze. Top with extra salt and pepper if needed and enjoy!
This refreshing watermelon and feta salad is about to become your favorite summer side!
Which white vinegar – distilled or white wine?
Either will do! White wine has more flavor, but distilled white vinegar works, too. Apple cider vinegar, white balsamic, sherry vinegar, or red wine vinegar would also be great choices.
This recipe looks delicious. Is there another cheese I can substitute for the feta?
You could try ricotta salata, cotija, or seared halloumi!
Seared halloumi, yum.