Description

This Summer’s Best Watermelon Feta Salad is a refreshing and easy-to-make dish perfect for hot days. Featuring juicy watermelon, crisp cucumber, fresh herbs, and tangy feta cheese, all brought together with a bright honey-lime dressing, this salad offers a delightful mix of sweet, savory, and herbal flavors. Optional ingredients like shallots, avocado, and spicy pepper flakes add customizable layers of texture and taste.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

4 cups watermelon, cut into bite-sized cubes
2 cups cucumber (English or Hot House), cubed
15 leaves fresh mint, chopped
15 leaves fresh basil, chopped
½ cup feta cheese, crumbled

Dressing

2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons lime juice, fresh
1 to 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Pinch of salt

Optional Ingredients

Shallots or red onions, thinly sliced (optional)
Avocado, diced (optional)
Hot peppers or Aleppo-style pepper flakes (optional)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Prepare the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons of honey, 2 tablespoons of fresh lime juice, 1 to 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, and a pinch of salt until the mixture is well-emulsified. Set the dressing aside to let the flavors meld.
Combine the Salad Ingredients: In a large bowl or on a serving platter, gently combine the cubed watermelon, cubed cucumber, chopped fresh mint, and chopped fresh basil. Toss lightly to blend the ingredients evenly without bruising the delicate watermelon.
Add the Dressing and Finish: Drizzle the prepared honey-lime dressing over the salad mixture and toss gently to coat everything evenly. Just before serving, sprinkle the crumbled feta cheese on top to add a creamy, tangy contrast. If desired, garnish with optional shallots or red onions, diced avocado, and a pinch of hot peppers or Aleppo-style pepper flakes for additional flavor and texture.

Notes

For best results, chill the watermelon and cucumber before preparing the salad to keep it cool and refreshing.
The dressing can be adjusted in sweetness or tartness by varying the honey or lime juice to taste.
If using optional ingredients like avocado, add them just before serving to prevent browning.
Substitute feta with goat cheese for a different tangy flavor if preferred.
This salad is best served immediately but can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 hours without the dressing to maintain freshness.