If you are looking for the perfect cookout side, allow me to introduce the watermelon salad. This dish is as easy as 1, 2, 3! Literally - it takes just 3 steps, and a total of 15 minutes to prepare. Whether you plan to attend a barbecue, picnic, or a little poolside relaxation at home, you will love the ease of this watermelon feta salad recipe!
Watermelon salad is sweet, salty, and hydrating. It is perfect for these hot summer days we are experiencing, especially if you plan to be outside. What could be more genius than getting an extra dose of hydration from your snack?!
Why You'll Love This Refreshing Watermelon Salad
How Refreshing! - The high temperatures and notoriously heavy foods of summer definitely leave room for a light, refreshing side, like this watermelon salad. It goes perfectly with BBQ, burgers, and beyond.
Ready in 15 - This recipe takes just 15 minutes to prepare! It doesn’t get much easier or quicker!
Ingredients for Watermelon Salad
- Watermelon - You will need a seedless watermelon that is about 4 pounds in order to yield 5-6 cups of cubed watermelon. If you cut into your watermelon carefully, you can use it as a serving bowl for your salad!
- Raspberries - I love the way that raspberry fits into the flavor profile of this dish. It just adds that little something. I use 1 ½ cups!
- Mini Cucumbers - Mini cucumbers work great for this recipe because you can slice them and they’re already the perfect size. The skin is also more pleasant to consume. If you only have regular cucumbers available to you, make sure that you dice them rather than just slicing them.
- Feta cheese- You definitely can’t make this recipe without the feta! If you wish to make a vegan version, simply pick up some nondairy feta instead. Alternatively, you can marinate tofu to make a feta replacement, but I love crumbled feta the most.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil - You will need olive oil for your watermelon salad dressing. Safflower oil, grapeseed oil, or avocado oil work nicely as well.
- Lemon Juice - This dressing has a simple, but lovely profile, mainly consisting of lemon and herbs. You need ⅓ cup of lemon juice. You can use bottled lemon juice, but freshly squeezed lemon juice tastes brighter.
- Maple Syrup - Maple syrup works great as a natural sweetener, but you could also prepare this watermelon salad dressing using honey or agave.
- Salt and Pepper - When it comes to your salad dressing, keep it simple and season it with regular table salt and ground pepper.
- Fresh Mint Leaves- The mint in this dish really ties together the sweetness of the watermelon and raspberries, and the pungency of the feta. You only need a teaspoon, plus extra for garnish.
- Fresh Thyme - Regular thyme, or lemon thyme will both work well for your dressing! You may wish to have a little extra set aside for garnishing.
How to make this Watermelon Salad Recipe
- For the dressing, combine the olive oil, lemon juice, sweetener of choice, salt, pepper, mint and thyme. For ease of mixing, shake all ingredients up in a mason jar or vigorously whisk in a large bowl. Set aside until ready to serve.
- Slice, dice and chop all salad ingredients into comfortable bite size pieces.
- To make the salad gently toss the ingredients together and serve alongside the dressing.
Step-by-Step Instructions
First, prepare your salad dressing! Combine your olive oil, lemon juice, maple syrup, salt and pepper, and fresh chopped mint and thyme. You can pour everything into a mason jar and shake, or mix everything in a bowl and whisk! Set aside.
Next, cube your watermelon and slice your mini cucumbers. Crumble your feta cheese if it is not already crumbled.
Combine your watermelon, raspberries, cucumber, and feta in a large bowl and gently toss.
Garnish your watermelon salad with extra herbs and feta if desired. Serve with dressing!
Cook's Tips
- You can prepare your dressing ahead of time! It will keep for up to 7 days in the refrigerator.
- If your dressing separates in the refrigerator, just shake it up to reincorporate. If the oil solidifies in the fridge, transfer it to a microwave-safe container and heat for 30-45 seconds, just long enough to liquify the oil. Then mix to reincorporate.
- Watermelon salad is good for up to 2 days in the refrigerator.
- Looking for a vegetable addition? Add some cucumbers for a wonderful watermelon cucumber salad
FAQ:
The salty, pungent flavor of feta cheese may seem like an odd choice with watermelon, but in fact watermelon is at its best with a salty counterpart. In fact, some people add a pinch of salt to their watermelon to enhance its flavor, so you know that the salty flavor of feta will be the perfect complement.
Not only is watermelon delicious and hydrating, it is also rich in amino acids and lycopene, and can lower your blood pressure. Watermelon is also easy on your digestive system. During my pregnancies, watermelon was a must when morning sickness struck!
Watermelon Salad
Ingredients
For The Salad
- 1 Personal Size Watermelon cubed (~4 lbs. or 5-6 cups)
- 1.5 cup Raspberries
- 1.5 cup Mini Cucumbers sliced
- ⅓ cup Feta Cheese
For The Dressing
- ¾ cup Olive Oil
- ⅓ cup Lemon Juice
- ¼ cup Maple Syrup Agave or Honey
- ¼ tsp Salt
- ¼ tsp Black Pepper
- 1 tsp Fresh Mint chopped
- ½ tsp Fresh Thyme or Lemon Thyme chopped
- Optional Garnishes: mint herbs, extra feta
Instructions
- For the dressing, combine the olive oil, lemon juice, sweetener of choice, salt, pepper, mint and thyme. For ease of mixing shake all ingredients up in a mason jar or vigorously whisk in a large bowl. Set aside until ready to serve.
- Slice, dice and chop all salad ingredients into comfortable bite size pieces.
- To make the salad gently toss the ingredients together and serve alongside the vinaigrette.
Notes
Salad will keep for up to 2 days in fridge.
Dressing may separate, just shake up and enjoy again.
If the olive oil has solidified in the fridge, microwave for 30-45 seconds and shake up.
Leave a Reply