Watermelon Feta Mint Salad
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You'll want to make this simple Watermelon Feta Salad all summer long! This salad is fresh, juicy, crisp, salty, sweet, tangy, and really refreshing. It all gets tossed in a simple lemon-honey dressing that takes just a few minutes to whisk together. Perfect as a light lunch, a cookout side dish, a picnic recipe, or an easy appetizer for warm-weather entertaining.
Table of Contents
- Here's Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients You'll Need
- In Photos: How To Make Watermelon Feta Mint Salad
- What to Serve with Watermelon Feta Salad
- Recipe FAQs
- More Salad Recipes
Watermelon feta salad is a fresh, Mediterranean-inspired dish with juicy watermelon, cucumber, feta cheese, fresh herbs, and a light dressing.
People love it for the sweet-and-salty mix. The watermelon is cool and juicy, and the feta is rich, creamy, and salty.
This version adds cucumber for crunch and mint for freshness, all tossed with a lemony vinaigrette.
Here's Why You'll Love This Recipe
- You can make this salad in just 20 minutes, and there's no cooking needed.
- It's light, refreshing, and packed with bright summer flavor.
- Sweet watermelon, salty feta, crisp cucumber, and fresh mint come together for a delicious mix.
- The lemon honey dressing is simple and adds just the right tangy sweetness.
- It looks great for entertaining but is easy enough for everyday snacking.
Ingredients You'll Need
The recipe card at the bottom of the post contains the full list with all of the amounts. Refer to that when you're cooking.
For the Dressing
- Lemon zest: Adds a bright citrus flavor, without adding additional liquid. This makes the dressing taste extra fresh.
- Lemon juice: Gives the dressing tang and balances the sweetness of the watermelon and honey.
- Honey: Adds sweetness and helps balance the acidity. You can use maple syrup instead if you like.
- Dijon mustard: Helps the dressing come together and adds a subtle savory flavor.
- Kosher salt: Brings out all the flavors in the salad.
- Ground black pepper: Use freshly cracked black pepper for the best flavor.
- Extra-virgin olive oil: Only the good stuff, please! The flavor really shines when you use it in dressings, so opt for something high-quality if you can.
For the Watermelon Salad
- Mini watermelon: The star of the show. Choose one that feels heavy for its size and has a creamy yellow spot. Seedless watermelon works best.
- Cucumber: Adds a cool crunch. English, Persian, or regular cucumbers all work. If your cucumber has thick skin or big seeds, peel and seed it first.
- Feta cheese: Salt and creamy, it balances the sweet watermelon. For the best texture, use block feta and crumble it yourself.
- Fresh mint leaves: Add a cool, refreshing flavor that makes the salad taste extra summery. Fresh basil is also a good option.
In Photos: How To Make Watermelon Feta Mint Salad
Step 1: Make the Dressing
Place the lemon zest, lemon juice, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper in a large bowl.
Whisk everything together until combined.
Slowly drizzle in the olive oil while whisking. Pour it in a steady stream so the dressing becomes smooth.
If you want a creamier dressing, you can use a hand blender.
Step 2: Prep the Watermelon
Remove the rind from the watermelon.
Cut the fruit into bite-sized cubes and add them directly to the bowl with the dressing.
Cut the pieces to a similar size so the salad is easy to eat.
Step 3: Add the Cucumber
Quarter the cucumber lengthwise.
Cut it into ½-inch slices, then add it to the bowl with the watermelon.
The cucumber gives a nice crisp texture next to the juicy watermelon.
Step 4: Add the Feta and Mint
Crumble the feta cheese into the bowl.
Then tear the fresh mint leaves over the salad.
Tearing the mint instead of chopping helps prevent bruising and releases its fresh aroma.
Step 5: Toss and Serve
Gently toss everything until the watermelon, cucumber, feta, and mint are coated with the dressing. Serve the salad cold or at room temperature.
Helpful Tips and Tricks
- Pick a ripe, sweet watermelon for the best flavor.
- Add the dressing right before serving to keep the salad extra crisp and fresh.
- Toss gently so the watermelon keeps its shape, and the feta stays in pieces.
- Use fresh mint, not dried, for the best bright, cooling flavor.
- If the salad sits for a while, serve it with a slotted spoon since watermelon releases juice.
What to Serve with Watermelon Feta Salad
This salad tastes great with grilled meats, seafood, sandwiches, and picnic foods.
Try serving it with a Crispy Chicken Sandwich, pulled pork, salmon, shrimp bowls, veggie kebabs, or pita sandwiches.
It also works as a colorful appetizer or side for summer parties, barbecues, brunches, and potlucks.
Recipe FAQs
How do you store leftovers?
Watermelon feta salad tastes best soon after you make it. If you have leftovers, keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
The watermelon will release more juice as it sits, so give the salad a gentle toss before serving again.
For the freshest texture, keep the dressing separate and toss everything together just before serving.
Can you make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes, but it's best to prepare the ingredients separately.
Cube the watermelon, slice the cucumber, crumble the feta, and whisk the dressing. Store each ingredient in a separate container in the fridge.
When you're ready to serve, combine the salad ingredients, tear in the mint, add the dressing, and toss gently. This keeps the salad from getting watery and helps the mint stay fresh.
Can I use bottled lemon juice?
Fresh lemon juice is best for this salad. Because the dressing is simple, fresh lemon gives it a brighter, cleaner flavor.
What kind of feta should I use?
Block feta is best because it's creamier and has better flavor than pre-crumbled feta. Pre-crumbled feta will still work if that's what you have.
Can I make this without honey?
Yes. You can use maple syrup, agave, or a small pinch of sugar instead. If your watermelon is very sweet, you can leave it out.
Can I add greens?
Definitely! Arugula, baby spinach, or mixed greens all taste great. Add them just before serving so they stay fresh.
Is this salad served cold?
You can serve it chilled or at room temperature. It's especially refreshing when the watermelon is cold from the fridge.
Ingredients
For the Dressing
- ½ teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 ½ tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
For the Watermelon Salad
- 1 mini watermelon
- 1 cucumber
- 6 ounces feta cheese
- 1 bunch fresh mint leaves
Instructions
To Make the Dressing
- Place the lemon zest, lemon juice, honey, Dijon, salt, and pepper in a large bowl and whisk to combine.
- In a very slow, steady stream, whisk in the oil (or blend it in with a hand blender for a smooth emulsion).
To Make the Salad
- Remove the rind from the watermelon, then cut the flesh into bite-sized cubes and place them in the bowl.
- Quarter the cucumber lengthwise and cut into ½-inch slices, then add them to the bowl.
- Crumble the feta into the bowl.
- Tear the mint leaves over the bowl.
- Toss the salad to combine the components and coat them in the dressing.
- Serve chilled or at room temperature.
