Watermelon Feta Salad

This watermelon feta salad is the perfect appetizer to celebrate summer. It is also great next to grilled poultry, meat or fish. Sweet and tangy, this refreshing recipe is a hit every time!

Watermelon is the ultimate summer fruit. It's sweet, juicy and you can eat a piece in the hot weather just to cool you off. 

So I am making this dish because watermelon is not just a summer fruit but a great base for a salad or appetizer.  It is easy to put together but perfect to serve to company. It also goes well with cocktails.  And I can't get enough of this balsamic glaze which I also serve on my simple Caprese salad.

I paired it with feta and it is the perfect sweet and salty combination. It is finished off with the glaze and a sprinkle of fresh herbs. Both mint and basil work well.

Make this watermelon salad and enjoy the flavors of summer!

Ingredients

• Watermelon - Get one that is ripe and juicy. I buy the seedless so that there is no need to remove seeds.
• Feta cheese - You can buy a block and crumble it yourself or buy prepackaged crumbled cheese for convenience.
• Fresh mint - Substitute fresh basil or fresh parsley if desired.
• Balsamic glaze - This adds tang and extra flavor to this dish. You can find it in the vinegar and dressing section of your grocery store. I often buy the Whole Foods brand balsamic glaze as it is excellent plus the price is right.

How to Make Watermelon Feta Salad

1. Arrange the cubed watermelon on a plate or in a bowl. Sprinkle it with feta and chopped mint.
2. Drizzle some balsamic glaze over the watermelon.
3. Serve chilled. This salad can be easily made in advance but wait until right before serving to add the glaze.

Recipe Variations

• Try adding other kinds of melon into the mix for some extra flavor in your watermelon feta dish. Cantaloupe or honeydew would both work great too.
• Try a variety of fresh herbs on top. Mint will add a cool, refreshing flavor, but basil brings out a pungent aroma that conjures the feeling of summer. You can also use fresh chopped parsley.
• Vary the seasonings you use as well. Some black pepper or red pepper flakes will add a small amount of heat.
• Instead of (or even in addition to) your balsamic, try a little dash of olive oil, some lemon juice, or red wine vinegar.
• Add chopped cucumber or red onion for some additional crunch. If you're looking to make this dish even more nutritious and a bigger salad, serve it over top of greens like arugula or baby spinach.
• Goat cheese can be used in place of feta cheese.

Serving Suggestions

This watermelon appetizer salad is a great summer dinner starter or it can be served next to your favorite entree. Here are some dishes, I serve it with:

1. Pan Grilled Paprika Shrimp
2. Cumin Rubbed Steak Kabobs
3. Street Corn and Jicama Tacos from How Sweet Eats
4. Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Sandwiches
5. Cilantro Lime Shrimp Bowls from Chelsea's Messy Apron

Storage

Refrigerate an leftovers for up to a day. This recipe can be made several hours in advance, but add glaze right before serving so the salad does not get soggy.

More Summer Appetizers

1. Strawberry Feta Skewers with Basil
2. Pesto Tortellini Skewers
3. Greek Kofta Kabobs
4. Chipotle Lime Edamame from Dizzy Busy and Hungry

If you like this recipe for my Watermelon Feta Salad, please give it a 5-star rating below!

RECIPE

Post originally published August 2013 but recipe was edited, updated and republished in 2024.

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