Refreshing watermelon basil salad with feta cheese is the perfect summer salad. With the sweetness of the watermelon, tangy salty feta cheese, crisp cucumber, and fragrant basil the flavor combination is summer magic. Make it in minutes and serve chilled on a hot day tossed with a honey-lime vinaigrette at serving. This is the recipe that turned me from a watermelon liker to a watermelon lover. Give it a try.
With extra cut watermelon in the fridge, plus cucumber and basil in my garden, and cheese in the fridge, this watermelon salad recipe came together in minutes. If the combo sounds strange, it really works with sweet, tart, salty, tangy flavors. It's got it all. I think you'll enjoy this version of a watermelon feta basil salad recipe.
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Why You'll Like This Recipe
- A perfect summer side dish.
- The best part, no cooking!
- Uses peak summer seasonal produce.
- Super easy recipe, made in minutes.
For another easy, refreshing summer salad with simple ingredients, make this cucumber and mint salad.
Recipe Ingredients
- Watermelon: Get a mini ripe watermelon or store-cut watermelon. Seedless watermelon works best. If you get a bigger watermelon and have extra, make this Mexican watermelon juice. Delicious!
- Cucumber: I prefer the small Persian cucumbers for their crisp texture and sweet taste but an English cucumber works too.
- Aromatics: Either shallot or crisp red onion, and add some green onion if you like.
- Cheese: Use either Greek feta cheese or goat cheese, crumbles or cubes.
- Fresh Herbs: Fresh basil is my choice for this salad, for flavor and the beautiful green ribbons, but mint is terrific as is cilantro.
- Lime juice: Gives the tart lime vinaigrette a little sweetness for balance.
- Oil: Choose extra virgin olive oil, or for fun, use a lime olive oil or basil olive oil.
- Honey: Just a little sweet to balance the tart lime juice, or try this no-sugar honey.
For measurements please see the recipe card. For help on how to cut watermelon, read this post and see the step-by-step photos. You'll also find information on how to choose a good watermelon.
Substitutions and Variations
- Add diced avocado for it's buttery flavor and texture.
- For a different vinaigrette dressing, use balsamic vinegar instead of the lime juice, or lemon juice.
- Drizzle with a balsamic reduction (aka balsamic glaze) and just squeeze on some lime.
- Another terrific addition is brined black kalamata olives, either whole or sliced.
- Add raw pine nuts for more crunch and a buttery tase.
To make a homemade balsamic glaze, see this recipe for balsamic reduction.
Recipe Instructions
If you have a container of pre-cut watermelon pieces, spread them out on a cutting board and cut the pieces into smaller pieces if the chunks are large. Something bite-sized is better. If you have a whole watermelon, start here.
Recipe Tips
Here are a few tips for making this watermelon basil salad.
- If making ahead to save time, do your prep work and keep the ingredients separated, covered, and refrigerated. Assemble when ready to serve. For example, prep in the morning and toss to serve for dinner.
- When prepping ahead, drain the watermelon before combining if needed. It might get juicy as it stands.
- Serve dressing on the side, so any extra un-dressed salad is still good a day or two longer.
Serving Suggestions
Watermelon basil salad is a great summer side dish for just about anything such as grilled meats and grilled chicken, rotisserie chicken, burgers and summer bbq, and grilled vegetables. Fresh basil leaves or fresh mint leaves make lovely garnish.
Try the salad without the dressing and add if you wish. It's so good by itself, we don't usually use the dressing.
Chef's Tip on red onions: If you're using red onions in the recipe, a good trick to tame their pungency is to thinly slice them them soak them in cold water for 10-15 minutes, then drain, dry and use in your salad. Works great. If you have a strong shallot, do the same.
Recipe FAQs
A mild, salty Greek feta is a classic paring with sweet watermelon. The sweet and salty flavors really compliment each other. A mild goat cheese works equally as well. Add the cheese either cubed or crumbled to chunks of watermelon, add herbs, lime juice, maybe a little onion and you have a delightful watermelon salad.
For the freshest watermelon salad, start with a whole watermelon. Mini watermelons are easier to handle. Start by cutting a small piece off of one end, then stand the watermelon flat on the end for stability. Slice in half top to bottom with a big chef's knife or watermelon knife. From there, cut slices, trim off the rind, and cut a grid pattern in bite-sized pieces.
Absolutely! Watermelon and cheese are a terrific combination because of the sweet and salty flavors, plus crisp and creamy textures (depending on the cheese). Feta cheese is popular and goat cheese can be used as well. Use this combination to make a watermelon feta salad, or serve cheese alongside slices of watermelon on a platter, scattered with fresh chopped herbs such a basil or mint.
More Refreshing Summer Recipes
Beat the heat and still love what you eat!
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📖 Recipe
Easy Watermelon Basil Salad with Feta Cheese
Equipment
Ingredients
Vinaigrette
- ¼ cup extra virign olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh squeezed lime juice
- 1 teaspoon mild honey or no-sugar honey optional
- ⅛ teaspoon sea salt
Watermelon salad
- 4-5 cups watermelon cubes half a mini watermelon
- 2-3 small Persian cucumbers or half an English cucumber
- 4 ounces feta or goat cheese cut into cubes or crumbled
- 1 large shallot thinly sliced crosswise into rings or ¼ of a red onion, sliced thin
- 5-6 large fresh basil leaves
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Instructions
Make vinaigrette (makes extra)
- Whisk all ingredients together in a small bowl or glass measuring cup until smooth. You can also add ingredients to a jar, cap tightly, and shake well. Taste the vinaigrette and adjust seasoning with more salt or honey.
Watermelon salad
- Cube watermelon into bite-sized pieces, about ¾". Depending on the type and size of cucumbers, if using small Persian cucumber, slice in half lengthwise then cut crosswise into half circles. If they are really small, just cut crosswise into small circles. For an English or larger cucumber, quarter the cucumber lengthwise, trim out seedy center, then chop into large or small pieces. Roll basil leaves together into a cylinder then chop thinly crosswise into ribbons. For the cheese, either cube or crumble the feta, or crumble the goat cheese. Serve vinaigrette on the side, or if preferred, toss with 2 tablespoons to start, then serve rest on the side.
Notes
- Swap fresh herbs, mint is terrific, or try cilantro, or blend them.
- For a different vinaigrette dressing, use balsamic vinegar instead of the lime juice.
- Drizzle with a balsamic reduction (aka balsamic glaze) and just squeeze on some lime.
- Another terrific addition is brined black kalamata olives, either whole or sliced.
- Add raw pine nuts for more crunch and a buttery tase.
- For a no-sugar option on honey, try this no-sugar honey, it's terrific.
Nutrition
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Porsche guy says
This is so easy and refreshing! Love the flavor combinations. Tasted great on a hot summer day and i took it to a bbq party. Thanks.