Fresh, juicy, sweet, tangy, and unbelievably refreshing, our watermelon feta salad is the perfect summer side dish for BBQs, potlucks, picnics, or an easy weeknight dinner. Crisp cucumber, peppery arugula, salty feta, and fresh mint come together with juicy watermelon and a simple balsamic vinaigrette to create a salad that’s bursting with flavor in every bite.
One of the best things about this watermelon feta salad is how quickly it comes together. There's no cooking involved, just a little chopping, tossing, and you’re ready to enjoy one of the most refreshing salads of the season.
For more delicious summer sides perfect for parties or dinners, try our bow tie pasta salad, BLT avocado pasta salad, and dill pickle macaroni salad.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ready in just 20 minutes
- Light, fresh, and incredibly refreshing
- Sweet and savory flavor combination
- Perfect for summer entertaining
- No cooking required
- Naturally gluten-free
- Easy to customize with your favorite ingredients
Key Ingredients
A full list of ingredients and their exact amounts can be found in the recipe card at the end of the post.
- Watermelon: Without a doubt, the best part of the salad. Juicy, sweet, and full of flavor, watermelon really makes this salad refreshing!
- Feta Cheese: Creamy and salty, feta is the perfect compliment to sweet watermelon.
- English Cucumber: Cool, crisp cucumbers add even more refreshment to this tasty dish.
- Fresh Mint: Fresh mint leaves add a bright bite that complements both the watermelon and feta cheese.
- Arugula: Adds a nice peppery taste to help round out all of the flavors and keep this salad from becoming too sweet.
- Balsamic Vinegar: A touch of tangy sweetness to finish off each bite.
- Red Onion: A hint of onion gives this salad some additional flavor without overwhelming the other ingredients.
Variations
- Add Avocado: Adding creamy avocado to the salad makes it even more filling.
- Use Different Cheese: Substitute goat cheese, queso fresco or bite-sized fresh mozzarella pearls for the feta.
- Top with Nuts: Toasted pecans, sliced almonds or pistachios are delicious on top of this salad.
- Give it some Heat: Add some crushed red pepper flakes or a few thin slices of jalapeño if you want to spice things up.
- Add some Berries: Blueberries or strawberries are delicious with the watermelon.
- Go Mediterranean: Add kalamata olives and cherry tomatoes for even more Mediterranean-inspired flavor.
- Add Protein: For a refreshing main dish, serve this salad with grilled chicken, shrimp, salmon or steak.
How to Make Watermelon Feta Salad
Step 1: Dice the watermelon and cucumbers. Then, slice the onion and chop the mint and add them to a large bowl.
Step 2: Whisk the dressing ingredients well.
Step 3: Toss the watermelon and veggies with the feta, mint, and arugula.
Step 4: Pour the dressing over the salad, toss, and serve.
Expert Tips
- For the very best flavor, use chilled watermelon and fresh mint.
- Assemble the salad shortly before serving to keep the arugula crisp and the watermelon juicy without becoming watery.
- Gently fold the ingredients together instead of vigorously stirring so the feta stays in larger crumbles throughout the salad.
Watermelon Feta Salad FAQs
Yes. For the freshest flavor and texture, prep the watermelon, cucumber, onion, mint, feta, and dressing separately, then toss everything together just before serving. This helps keep the arugula crisp and prevents the watermelon from releasing too much liquid.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Since watermelon naturally releases juice as it sits, drain any excess liquid before serving again.
Absolutely! Homemade balsamic dressing offers the freshest flavor, but a good-quality bottled balsamic vinaigrette is a great time-saving option.
Yes. Regular cucumbers work well, but it’s a good idea to peel them if the skin is thick and scoop out the larger seeds before slicing.
This salad pairs beautifully with grilled chicken, burgers, steak, barbecue ribs, pulled pork sandwiches, grilled shrimp, kabobs, smoked brisket, hot dogs, and picnic favorites. It’s also a refreshing addition to summer cookouts, holiday celebrations, bridal showers, and family reunions.
Great Mains for Your Watermelon Salad
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Watermelon Feta Salad
Ingredients
- 6 cups watermelon, diced into bite-size pieces
- ½ English cucumber, thinly sliced and quartered
- ½ cup red onion
- 2 cup arugula
- 1 ¼ cups feta cheese
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 3 tablespoons mint, fresh chopped
Instructions
- Dice watermelon, cucumber, and onion into bite-size pieces.
- In a small bowl whisk the vinegar, oil, and black pepper together.
- Add watermelon, English cucumber, and red onion to a large bowl, toss together until combined.
- Toss in feta cheese, mint, arugula, and balsamic dressing. Stir until combined and serve immediately.
Notes
- For the very best flavor, use chilled watermelon and fresh mint.
- Assemble the salad shortly before serving to keep the arugula crisp and the watermelon juicy without becoming watery.
- Gently fold the ingredients together instead of vigorously stirring so the feta stays in larger crumbles throughout the salad.
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