Fresh Feta Watermelon Salad with Mint Lime Dressing
A refreshing summer salad combining sweet watermelon, salty feta, and a zesty mint lime dressing. Perfect for quick, light meals and summer gatherings.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups watermelon, cubed or balled (about 600g)
- 1 cup feta cheese, crumbled (about 150g)
- 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, chopped (about 10g)
- Juice of 1 large lime (about 2 tablespoons)
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon honey (optional)
- Salt to taste
- Freshly cracked black pepper to taste
- Sea salt flakes (optional, for garnish)
- Toasted pine nuts or sliced almonds (optional, for crunch)
Instructions
- Cut about 4 cups (600g) of watermelon into 1-inch (2.5 cm) cubes or use a melon baller for round shapes. Remove any seeds if necessary.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the juice of 1 large lime (around 2 tablespoons), 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, and 1 teaspoon of honey (optional). Season with a pinch of salt and freshly cracked black pepper. Whisk until emulsified.
- Finely chop 1/4 cup (10g) of fresh mint leaves.
- In a large mixing bowl, gently toss the watermelon cubes with the chopped mint, reserving a little mint for garnish.
- Crumble 1 cup (150g) of good-quality feta over the watermelon. Gently fold it in to avoid breaking it down too much.
- Pour the prepared mint lime dressing over the watermelon and feta mixture. Toss lightly, coating everything evenly but gently.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with extra salt, pepper, or lime juice if needed. Garnish with reserved mint leaves and, if desired, a sprinkle of sea salt flakes or toasted nuts for crunch.
- Serve immediately for best freshness. If making ahead, store in the fridge for up to 2 hours but add the dressing just before serving.
Notes
Use ripe, seedless watermelon for best flavor and texture. Crumble feta by hand to preserve texture. Chill watermelon cubes before assembling for a cooler salad. Add dressing just before serving to avoid sogginess. For dairy-free, replace feta with marinated tofu or vegan cheese and honey with agave syrup.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1 cup per serv
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 7
- Sodium: 320
- Fat: 8
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Carbohydrates: 8
- Fiber: 0.5
- Protein: 4
Keywords: watermelon salad, feta cheese salad, summer salad, mint lime dressing, refreshing salad, easy salad recipe, gluten-free, vegetarian