This watermelon salad with red onion and feta is the perfect flavor combination of sweet and salty. It makes an amazingly refreshing summer salad that's ready in no time!
The idea of pairing watermelon with feta cheese might raise some eyebrows, but the contrast between the two is what makes this combination so remarkable.
Similar to my Mango Cucumber Avocado salad, this dish plays with the balance of sweet and savory flavors, blending the juicy watermelon with the salty feta. Add in the mild sharpness of red onion and the cooling freshness of mint, and you have a salad that's as unique as it is delicious.
For more salad recipes check out Pasta Salad without Mayo, Vegan Couscous Salad or Edamame Lentil Salad.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- It can be enjoyed as a light main dish but also makes the perfect side dish.
- It only includes a couple of simple ingredients.
- It can easily be made dairy-free and vegan and is naturally gluten-free.
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Watermelon: I recommend choosing a seedless watermelon that's ripe but not overly ripe, otherwise the texture is too soft. Check out this article on how to pick a ripe watermelon.
- Feta: The crumbly feta balances out the sweetness of the watermelon really nicely. Choose vegan feta if you want to create a vegan salad. Instead of feta, you could also use crumbled goat cheese.
- Red Onion Slices: Adds some additional taste a refreshing element to this salad.
- Fresh Mint: The combination of watermelon and fresh mint is amazing! If you can't find any, you could try using fresh parsley or fresh basil.
- English Cucumber (optional): Though this is an optional ingredients, I really like the texture of the crisp cucumber chunks in combination with the soft watermelon. If you're not a fan of cucumber you could just skip it.
- Vinaigrette (optional): Consists of white wine vinegar, maple syrup and extra-virgin olive oil. You could also enjoy this salad without any dressing but I really like how it enhances the natural flavors.
How to Make Watermelon Feta Salad
This watermelon salad recipe only requires 5 ingredients and a simple vinaigrette. It's a refreshing salad that has become one of our favorite summer meals.
STEP 1: Make the vinaigrette. Put white wine vinegar, maple syrup and olive oil into a small bowl or jar.
Whisk until well combined. Then set aside.
Adding the vinaigrette is optional but recommended. However, the salad also tastes amazing without it.
STEP 2: Assemble the ingredients. Cut the watermelon and cucumber (if using) into bite-sized cubes. Slice the red onion thinly and mince the mint leaves. Add all of the ingredients, including the crumbled feta to a large bowl or plate.
STEP 3: Add the vinaigrette and toss until well combined. Serve immediately (or put in the fridge without adding the vinaigrette).
Chill the salad before serving! This will result in an even more refreshing salad. Add the vinaigrette only shortly before serving!
Variations
- Skip Cucumber: The cucumber is optional. It adds another refreshing element but if you don't like it, just skip it.
- Olives: Black olives such as Kalamata olives make a great addition to this recipe!
- Fresh Lime Juice: Instead of the vinaigrette, you could sprinkle the salad with fresh lime or lemon juice.
- Nuts and Seeds: Add some sunflower or pumpkin seeds or even some chopped walnuts for more crunchiness and healthy fats.
- Make it vegan/ dairy-free: Choose a vegan feta to keep this salad dairy-free.
Top Tips
- Chill: Before adding the vinaigrette, put the salad in the fridge for 30 min. That way it will be even more refreshing.
- Seedless Watermelon: Buying seedless watermelon is super convenient and will save prep time.
- Red Onion: Cut the red onion into super thin slices. We want that sweet and slightly tangy taste but don't want the taste to be overpowering.
Storing
- Keep any leftover salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 day. Preferably without the vinaigrette already added. This salad definitely tastes best when consumed right away though, it does become a bit soggy when stored.
FAQs
Absolutely, just use vegan feta.
Cucumber, other fruits such as blueberries, goat cheese or black olives all make great additions to this salad.
If you tried this or any other recipe on the blog let me know how you liked it by leaving a comment or rating below! SIGN UP for the WSK newsletter and get the newest recipes delivered right to your inbox!
📖 Recipe
Watermelon Salad with Feta and Red Onion
Ingredients
Dressing
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoon maple syrup
- 3 tablespoon white wine vinegar
Salad
- 3 cups (450 g) cubed watermelon *seedless
- ½ cucumber (optional)
- 1 small red onion
- ½ pkg feta (7oz/ 100g)
- handful of minced mint *or other fresh herbs
Instructions
Vinaigrette
- Put white wine vinegar, maple syrup and olive oil into a small bowl or jar.
- Whisk until well combined. Set aside.
Watermelon Salad
- Cut the watermelon and cucumber (if using) into bite-sized pieces.
- Thinly slice the red onion and chop the mint.
- Add cubed watermelon, cucumber, red onion slivers, crumbled feta and minced mint to a salad bowl.
Video
Notes
- Watermelon: I recommend choosing a seedless watermelon that's ripe but not overly ripe. It should be sweet but not overripe and still crunchy in texture.
- Skip Cucumber: The cucumber is optional. It adds another refreshing element but if you don't like it, just skip it.
- Cold Salad: Before adding the vinaigrette, put the salad in the fridge for 30 min. That way it will be even more refreshing.
- Make it vegan/ dairy-free: Choose vegan feta to keep this salad dairy-free.
- Personal Taste: Feel free to adjust to personal taste and add more feta/ watermelon.
- Storing: Keep any leftover salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 day. Preferably without the vinaigrette already added. This salad definitely tastes best when consumed right away though, it does become a bit soggy when stored.
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