Best Summer Watermelon Feta Salad
This summer watermelon feta salad is the ultimate refreshing side dish. After making it countless times for cookouts, I’ve mastered the perfect balance of juicy watermelon, salty feta, and fresh herbs. It’s so much better than takeout and couldn’t be easier to make. Jump to the recipe or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Apricot Dijon Glazed Salmon and Berry Spinach Salad with Blueberries & Raspberries.
Why This Best Summer Watermelon Feta Salad Is Pure Comfort
- Easy no-cook side dish
- Perfect for summer cookouts
- Balances sweet, salty, and tangy flavors
- Better than takeout
What You'll Need for Best Summer Watermelon Feta Salad
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- Watermelon
- Feta cheese
- Red onion
- Fresh mint
- Olive oil
- Lemon juice
- Salt
- Pepper
- Optional: Balsamic glaze
- Optional: Pistachios
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Watermelon: Seedless watermelon works best.
- Feta cheese: Crumbled feta works best for this salad.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Good quality olive oil — Enhances the salad's fresh flavors. → See on Amazon
- Sharp kitchen knife — Makes cutting watermelon a breeze. → See on Amazon
How to Make Best Summer Watermelon Feta Salad
- Prepare watermelon: Cut the watermelon into cubes. You'll need about 4 cups for this recipe.
- Combine ingredients: In a large bowl, combine watermelon, feta, red onion, and mint. Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper.
- Serve: Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 1 hour to let the flavors meld. Garnish with balsamic glaze and pistachios if desired.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Best Summer Watermelon Feta Salad
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overdo the salt. The feta provides plenty of saltiness, so start with a light hand and adjust to taste.
- Tip: For a quicker prep, use a melon baller to scoop out the watermelon.
- Tip: Make this salad up to 1 day ahead. Store in the fridge, but add the fresh mint just before serving.
Storing & Reheating Best Summer Watermelon Feta Salad
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: Can be made up to 1 day ahead.
Freezing Best Summer Watermelon Feta Salad
Not recommended for this salad.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Not applicable. Microwave: Not applicable.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add some sliced jalapeño to the salad.
- Best substitution: Substitute the feta with crumbled goat cheese for a similar tangy flavor.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the salad up to 1 day ahead, but add the fresh mint just before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe is easily scalable. Just adjust the quantities accordingly.
- Troubleshooting: If your watermelon isn't sweet, add a touch of honey to the dressing.
Want to level up this recipe?
Watermelon knife — Makes cutting watermelon easy and safe. → Check price on Amazon
Best Summer Watermelon Feta Salad
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Watermelon
- Feta cheese
- Red onion
- Fresh mint
Seasonings
- Olive oil
- Lemon juice
- Salt
- Pepper
Optional Toppings
- Balsamic glaze
- Pistachios
Instructions
- Prepare watermelon: Cut the watermelon into cubes. You'll need about 4 cups for this recipe.
- Combine ingredients: In a large bowl, combine watermelon, feta, red onion, and mint. Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper.
- Serve: Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 1 hour to let the flavors meld. Garnish with balsamic glaze and pistachios if desired.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add some sliced jalapeño to the salad.
- Best substitution: Substitute the feta with crumbled goat cheese for a similar tangy flavor.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the salad up to 1 day ahead, but add the fresh mint just before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe is easily scalable. Just adjust the quantities accordingly.
- Troubleshooting: If your watermelon isn't sweet, add a touch of honey to the dressing.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Not recommended for this salad.
- Oven reheat: Not applicable.
- Microwave reheat: Not applicable.
- Make ahead: Can be made up to 1 day ahead.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 180
- Protein: 6g
- Fat: 12g
- Carbs: 16g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Cholesterol: 35mg
- Sat. Fat: 6g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Best Summer Watermelon Feta Salad FAQs
Yes, you can make it up to 1 day ahead. Store in the fridge, but add the fresh mint just before serving.
The watermelon may not have been juicy enough. Make sure to use a sweet, ripe watermelon.
While it's best in the summer, you can still enjoy this salad in the winter. Just use a ripe, sweet watermelon.
Yes, simply omit the feta or substitute it with crumbled tofu or tempeh.
It pairs well with grilled meats, like the Apricot Dijon Glazed Salmon, or other summer salads, like the Berry Spinach Salad with Blueberries & Raspberries.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Best Summer Watermelon Feta Salad and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
