Last Updated June 2nd, 2023 at 09:22 am by Lisa
Watermelon Salad is one of the most incredible refreshing summer fruit salads. It has a light citrus dressing, and fresh mint, topped with crumbled feta cheese. Serve this side dish for picnics, potlucks, and BBQ cookouts in a carved-out watermelon for the salad bowl!
People love this tasty beautiful watermelon recipe. Make it a day ahead for your gathering or adventure, chill it in the fridge the night before your party, then grab it and go! The savory salty feta is surprisingly yummy with the juicy sweet watermelon...
How To Make Watermelon Feta Salad
- 1 small watermelon washed (or large one on its side)
- ¼ cup good extra virgin olive oil
- 1 cup fresh mint leaves minced (plus extra for garnish)
- 2 oranges zest and juice
- 2 limes the zest and lime juice (or swap in lemon juice and zest)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- a pinch of black pepper to taste
- 4 oz. crumbled feta cheese optional (8 oz for a larger watermelon)
Step One: Wash the skin of the watermelon in cool water and a splash of vinegar. Dry well with a clean towel.
Step Two: Slice a small portion off the bottom of the watermelon so it sits flat on the counter.
PRO TIP: Cut that little slice off the bottom will help it sit flat and not roll. You can cut your watermelon bowl the long way or upright for a deeper bowl.
Step Three: Cut the top off, about 2 " down to form your salad bowl.
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Step Four: In a medium bowl, whisk olive oil, orange zest, orange juice, lime zest, and lime juice. Mix in mint (fine ribbons or minced), and crumbled feta cheese. Add salt and pepper to taste. Optional, serve the feta cheese in a little bowl on the side and let people add their own.
Step Five: Using a small 1" melon baller, scoop out all the watermelon, into a large bowl, leaving just the watermelon rind as your "bowl". Pour any remaining watermelon juice in with the dressing. Then pour the dressing over the watermelon pieces, and toss to combine all ingredients well.
Step Six: Place the watermelon salad into the carved-out watermelon rind to serve, and garnish with more mint sprigs and feta cheese (optional).
Cover with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Swaps and Variations
Watermelon: Either a small or large watermelon will work for this recipe. Cut the watermelon into small cubes or scoop it into small balls.
Feta Cheese: The feta cheese is totally optional but so good.
Fresh Herbs & Greens: Try fresh basil cut into ribbons, a few sprigs of fresh thyme, or arugula tossed in to create a nice bite to the sweetness of the fruit salad.
Vegetables: You can slice and cut in some different fresh garden veggies too like cucumbers, tomatoes, bell pepper, or kalamata olives.
Dressing: Change up the flavor of the sweet fruit dressing entirely and drizzle in some Lemon Vinaigrette with white or red wine vinegar or balsamic vinegar for a tart, tangier taste.
Why This Recipe Works
- It can be made ahead and nothing needs to be done before a party.
- How dang adorable is it served in the watermelon rind bowl? You can also use a large salad bowl, large dish, or large deep serving platter.
- No bowl to wash or clean up, and you can toss it after a picnic...or potluck...brilliance!
- Your picnic or party will look so festive with this as a centerpiece or on a potluck table.
- People love that it is a healthy option...and the feta is of course optional, you can have a little bowl of feta next to the watermelon salad and let people sprinkle it on top if they want some.
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Watermelon Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 small watermelon washed
- ¼ cup good olive oil
- 1 cup fresh mint leaves minced or tiny ribbons (plus extra for garnish)
- 2 oranges zest and juice
- 2 limes zest and juice
- salt and pepper to taste
- 4 oz. crumbled feta cheese optional (8 oz for a larger watermelon)
Instructions
- Wash skin of watermelon in cool water and a splash of vinegar.
- Slice a small portion off the bottom of the watermelon so it sits flat on the counter.
- Cut the top off, about 2 " down to form your salad bowl.
- In a medium bowl, whisk olive oil, orange zest and juice, lime zest and juice, mix in mint, and feta cheese. Add salt and pepper to taste. Optional, serve the feta cheese in a little bowl on the side and let people add their own.
- Using a small melon baller, scoop out all the watermelon, into a medium bowl, leaving just the watermelon rind. Pour any remaining watermelon juice into the bowl with the dressing. Pour the dressing over the watermelon pieces, and toss to combine all ingredients well.
- Place the watermelon salad back into the carved out watermelon bowl, and garnish with mint sprigs. Optional, serve the feta cheese in a little bowl on the side and let people add their own.
- Keep covered with plastic wrap in refrigerator until ready to serve.
- Serve chilled.
I love watermelon and feta! I've actually never tried this kind of salad. It sounds amazing!!!!
It is different and delicious! I leave the feta off sometimes or put it in a bowl for people to try a little and see, but they usually love it!
This is a cool recipe to try out my new melon baller out with. This looks like a delicious salad!
What a wonderful post! Id never think to mix watermelon with feta cheese. Thanks for sharing!! 🙂
This looks delicious!!! I love watermelon and never thought to pair with mint!!! So doing this recipe soon!
This looks so good! Can you believe I have never made a watermelon recipe before?? I think it's because I don't have a car and it is so heavy to carry home!
Well, that makes total sense! We live in Southern California, and eat of watermelon because it is so hot! They do sell little ones now in our local markets that are much easier to carry and eat up. Hope you try the recipe someday!
I love Feta cheese, but never thought about mixing it together with watermelon. It sounds like it would taste yummy though! I'm gonna try it out!
It's one of those things you think hmmm not sure about this, and boy is it tasty!
This looks delicious. I love the bright colors and the mixture of the flavors and textures would be awesome. Feta is very versatile. I will have to try this out.
Oh, do David! Feta is so versatile, I even put in on hot leftover spaghetti noodles with salt, pepper, and a splash of olive oil, and serve it as a side!
Wow, I haven't tried putting fresh mint leaves to my salad. Yet this one looks really refreshing, especially now that it is Summer. I will give it a try.
I love watermelon I will need to serve it this way. Looks really fun for outdoor summer parties and I love that the watermelon is used as a bowl!.
Isn't it fun? Makes a party a party when you go do these extra steps...people really loved it at our party!
I am such a huge fan of watermelon salad. It's so refreshing! The saltiness of the Feta with the watermelon and mint is calling my name. IN ALL CAPS.
We have started getting the individual watermelons in at the grocery store and I am ready for summer! This recipe is one I think I could eat daily and the presentation with the bowl is so cute for parties. Hello easy, no-cook BBQ idea.