Watermelon with Feta Cheese Salad

A refreshing summer salad made with juicy watermelon, creamy feta cheese, fresh herbs, and a light dressing.

Course Appetizer, Side Dish

Cuisine American

Keyword easy-watermelon-salad, watermelon-salad-recipe

Prep Time 15

Chill time 2

Total Time 2 15

Servings servings

Calories 168kcal

Ingredients

Dressing:
1/3 cup fresh lime juice
2 Tbsp granulated sugar
1/2 tsp fine sea salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 cup olive oil OR vegetable oil
Watermelon with Feta Salad:
5 cups cubed watermelon
3 small baby cucumbers cut into half moons
1 small red onion thinly sliced
1 8 oz container crumbled feta cheese
2 Tbsp torn or chopped fresh mint leaves
optional additions: torn arugula, diced radish avocado, and prepared balsamic glaze to drizzle on top (optional additions just before serving)

Instructions

Place lime juice and sugar in a mason jar with a tight-fitting lid. Shake or stir until completely dissolved. Add salt, pepper, and olive oil. Shake again until well mixed.Set aside
In a large mixing bowl, place watermelon, cucumbers, onion, half of the Feta, and mint leaves. Gently toss until combined. .Add about ⅔ of the dressing, and gently toss
Transfer to a serving platter or large salad bowl. Top with the remaining half of the Feta, and more mint, if desired.
Drizzle with the rest of the dressing or serve it on the side.

Notes

Spice - The addition of a little salt and pepper after assembling the salad ingredients makes a big difference, even though there is salt and pepper in the salad. You can always place shakers on the table for people to make any adjustment to their own taste.
Fresh Herbs - You can use fresh basil in place of mint.
Use Fresh Lime Juice - Freshly squeezed lime juice is best for the dressing. If you have trouble getting juice from your lime, you can microwave the lime for 10-15 seconds, and it should produce more juice. Rolling it on the counter before cutting it can also help to release the juices.
Serving Option - This salad can also be served on a bed of arugula or you can actually mix it into the salad before serving. Should you choose to do so you'll need around with 2-3 cups of baby arugula. Baby arugula leaves, sliced radish and balsamic glaze are optional but delicious additions.
Balsamic Glaze - Balsamic glaze can be drizzled over the salad as an alternative or in addition to, the lime dressing.
Cucumbers - English cucumbers can be used as an alternative to the baby version since they also have few seeds. That's the key reason baby cucumbers are used. You could also use sliced radish or add avocado just before serving.
Cheese - Crumbled feta cheese or a block of feta can be used as an alternative. Sometimes I find that a block of Feta, as with any cheese, is better if you crumble it yourself. It also tends to have a fresher flavor. That said, please note than either will work.

Nutrition