watermelon salad featured image
Loaded with sweet watermelon, crisp cucumbers, creamy feta, and fresh mint, this summer salad is so easy to make and takes just minutes to prepare.
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Refreshing and light and beautifully bright, a watermelon salad is meant for hot days. Loaded with sweet watermelon, crisp cucumbers, creamy feta, and fresh mint, this Mediterranean summer salad is so easy to make and takes less than 15 minutes to prepare.

watermelon salad hero image


Refreshing Summer Salad – Watermelon and Feta Salad

Watermelon and feta is one of those flavor combinations that sounds odd but works SO well together. This watermelon salad is the perfect mix of sweet peak-season fruit, savory veggie, creamy cheese, and fresh herb.

Juicy and refreshing, the melon cubes pair perfectly with crunchy diced cucumbers, salty and tangy feta crumbles, and mint leaves. It is then all tossed together in a simple lime dressing. While this watermelon salad is delicious on its own, the dressing ties all of the flavors together and completes this colorful dish.

I love to make this healthy salad recipe at the height of summer, when watermelon and cucumbers are at their juiciest and most flavorful. Whether you crave something light to eat or you need a quick energy boost, this nutrient-dense salad is full of vitamins, minerals and fuel for your body. And because watermelon is mostly water, it will hydrate you on the hottest of days and provide a cooling sensation in food-form.

zoomed in watermelon salad on a spoon

This watermelon salad is surprisingly perfect in every way, blending sweet and savory in every delicious bite. It may sound unconventional, but it tastes absolutely amazing! It’s the simple yet unusual summer salad that pairs well with the usual warm-weather fare.

Why We Love This Watermelon Salad Recipe

  • Full of bright summer flavors
  • Quick and easy to make
  • Can be served as a starter salad, healthy snack or light meal
  • Perfect side dish to bring to a potluck, party or barbeque
  • Delicious sweet and savory flavor combination
  • Refreshing and hydrating
  • Naturally sugar-free, vegetarian, gluten-free and nut-free
  • Protein rich and nutrient-dense
  • Pairs well with whatever you are grilling
watermelon salad on a spoon

Ingredients / Shopping List

  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Fresh lime juice: Adds bright acidity to the simple dressing.
  • Seedless watermelon: I highly recommend using a seedless watermelon so you do not have to remove any seeds.
  • Seedless English cucumber: I prefer to use English cucumber in this salad because they have a thinner skin that is not waxy and they tend to be sweeter. You certainly can use any cucumber variety, but you may need to peel them first.
  • Feta cheese: I always buy blocks of feta cheese for making salad instead of the pre-crumbled feta because they taste more fresh and flavorful. I love this creamy, tangy element!
  • Fresh mint leaves: Adds a fresh herbal note.

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How To Make Watermelon Salad

This simple refreshing salad is one of my favorite summer sides and it takes only 15 minutes to prepare!

To make the dressing, whisk together the olive oil and lime juice in a small mixing bowl and set it aside.

whisk together the olive oil and lime juice in a bowl

Place the cubed watermelon, cubed English cucumber and mint leaves in a large mixing bowl.

place cubed watermelon, cucumber in a bowl

Drizzle the dressing over the salad.

pour the dressing over the watermelon and cucumber

Carefully toss it all together. 
Pro Tip: The watermelon and cucumber will release a lot of juice, make sure you toss the salad as gently as possible.

carefully mix with wooden spoon

Sprinkle the feta cheese over the top of the salad and serve immediately. Enjoy!

sprinkle with cheese

Variations / Options / Add-In’s

  • Nuts: Add some extra crunch to your salad with a handful of toasted walnuts or cashews.
  • Fruit: You can add avocado for extra creaminess or strawberries for an additional boost of vitamins.
  • Cheese: While I love the salty crumbles of fets, you can opt for fresh mozzarella balls or goat cheese
  • Fresh Herbs: Experiment with fresh basil or cilantro instead of the mint.
  • Veggies: You can add red onion for more crunch or hot pepper if you like a little heat.
  • Make it a meal: You can make this a full meal by serving the salad on a bed of arugula with some quinoa or your favorite whole grain mixed in.

Tips

  • This salad should not be made too far in advance due to the excess liquid. I recommend you make it just before serving.
  • If you are selecting a pre-cut watermelon, be sure to choose a melon that is not too “grainy” in appearance.
  • This salad makes an excellent side for grilled chicken, steak, or even hamburgers.
  • You can add a ½ teaspoon of kosher or flaky sea salt, but the feta and the lime juice should add the right amount of saltiness.
  • To make your watermelon extra fancy, instead of cutting it into cubes, you could use a melon baller to shape the watermelon pieces into spheres.
  • Make sure to use chilled watermelon and cucumbers in this salad. This watermelon salad tastes great when served chilled.
zoomed in watermelon salad

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this watermelon salad in advance?

It is best prepared and enjoyed on the same day because as soon as watermelons are cut, the liquid slowly seeps out of the flesh, and along with it, the sweet flavor you associate with watermelon.
However, if you do need to prep the night before, you can peel and cube the watermelon and cucumber and prepare the remaining ingredients, then store each in the fridge in separate containers. Add the dressing and mix the salad together just a few minutes before serving. Also, cut the mint leaves at the last minute, because after chopping they turn brown after some time.

How do I store leftovers?

If you have some leftovers, you can store it in a tight-lid glass container for a night or two (test for freshness before serving).

What is the best month to buy watermelon?

Watermelon season runs from May to September, depending on where you live. A good place to start is your local farmer’s market. Local watermelons tend to be sweeter and fresher than imports.

How do I pick a sweet watermelon?

To pick the juiciest, sweetest melon, look for firm melons that smell sweet on the ends. A single yellow splotch is a sign of ripeness, but avoid melons with many splotches.

Can I make this salad without dressing?

Yes, you can. Because you will get salty flavors from the cheese and sweet flavors from the watermelon, it will still taste delicious. However, I love to add dressing in my salad because it brings out all the delightful flavors.

watermelon salad on a plate

Other Easy Summer Salad recipes

Caprese Pasta Salad | Orange Creamsicle Salad | Fruit Salad Recipe | Easy Cucumber Salad | Strawberry Pretzel Salad | Mexican Corn Salad (Street Corn) | Watergate Salad | Tomato Cucumber Salad | Tropical Cheesecake Fruit Salad | Apple Salad

5 from 9 votes
watermelon salad featured image

Watermelon Salad

Serves — 4
Loaded with sweet watermelon, crisp cucumbers, creamy feta, and fresh mint, this summer salad is so easy to make and takes just minutes to prepare.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes

Ingredients
  

Dressing

  • 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • tbsp fresh lime juice

Salad

  • 4 cups cubed seedless watermelon
  • cups (1 medium) cubed seedless English cucumber
  • ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
  • cup chopped or torn fresh mint leaves

Instructions
 

  • In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the olive oil and lime juice. Set it aside
  • Using a large mixing bowl, add in the cubed watermelon, cubed English cucumber and mint leaves.
  • Drizzle the dressing over the salad. Carefully toss the dressing and salad together. (Do this as gently as possible, the watermelon and cucumber will release a lot of juice.)
  • Sprinkle the feta cheese over the top of the salad and serve immediately.

Jenn’s Notes

Storage:
If you have some leftovers, you can store it in a tight-lid glass container for a night or two (test for freshness before serving).
Tips: 
  • This salad should not be made too far in advance due to the excess liquid. I recommend you make it just before serving.
  • If you are selecting a pre-cut watermelon, be sure to choose a melon that is not too “grainy” in appearance.
  • This salad makes an excellent side for grilled chicken, steak, or even hamburgers.
  • You can add a ½ teaspoon of kosher or flaky sea salt, but the feta and the lime juice should add the right amount of saltiness.
  • To make your watermelon extra fancy, instead of cutting it into cubes, you could use a melon baller to shape the watermelon pieces into spheres.
  • Make sure to use chilled watermelon and cucumbers in this salad. This watermelon salad tastes great when served chilled.

Nutrition Info

Calories: 198kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 17mg | Sodium: 213mg | Potassium: 267mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 1147IU | Vitamin C: 16mg | Calcium: 119mg | Iron: 1mg

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  1. 5 stars
    YUM👏🏼👏🏼😋Thank You FOR SHARING Jennifer 👍🏼♥️This LOOKS AWESOME 👏🏼❗️AND I HAVE a couple Of Refrigerator Bowls That Have Drain Slats So They Drain The Extra liquid Off Like If You Cut Watermelon 🍉 SO It’s Not Sitting In It So It gets soggy. CANT Wait to TRY ❗️G-d♥️Bless