Watermelon salad is the essence of summer. The revitalizing combination of sweet watermelon, cold cucumbers, and salty feta with a burst of fresh mint means this watermelon feta salad recipe is simple to make and easy to enjoy with friends and family.

Every bite of this watermelon salad is invigorating and packed with sweet and savory flavors. Watermelon season is my ultimate favorite! I adore the sweet, cold, revitalizing flavor of this midsummer fruit so much that I add it to sangria in my Watermelon Sangria recipe and I even place it on the grill. When it comes to cantaloupe I do not play around.

Growing up by the shores of the Mediterranean, my vacations in Port Said, Egypt comprised of two things: the seashore and watermelons. I remember spending lengthy days on the sunny shore with my favorite refreshment in hand: segments of watermelon crowned with crumbles of buttery feta. I spent hours with my father at the local market called the Souq where he would teach me how to select cantaloupe so it was delicious and succulent everytime. These are talents I still use to this day.

I still adore nothing more than the combination of briny feta over sweet, cold melons. And this watermelon salad with feta, melons and fresh herbs, is another level of delectable. I think of this watermelon feta salad as grown up version of my favorite nibble, and the piquant honey-lime vinaigrette certainly brings everything together.

Watermelon Salad Recipe Ingredients

This summer salad is the perfect combination of flavors. Like my Strawberry Spinach Salad, it demonstrates how delectable fruit can be in a savory salad. Juicy cubed watermelon combines gorgeously with cold cucumbers, fresh herbs, and, of course feta cheese. It's the ideal balance of sweet and savory. Here are the fresh ingredients you need and some notes on how to prepare them:

• Watermelon: You can use 1 small watermelon or ½ a large watermelon. You'll need to remove and cut the cantaloupe into segments. I have a step by step tutorial on how to carve a watermelon if this is new to you, but you can also split it in half and use a melon baller, if you're feeling sophisticated!

• English cucumber or heated house cucumber: English cucumbers are milder and their skin is thin so you don't need to remove them. If you wind up using American slicing cucumbers, you'll want to peel and seed the cucumbers before slicing.

• Mint and basil leaves: I used a substantial number of herbs here, about 1 cup packaged of each (or 15 leaves of mint and 15 leaves of fresh basil), coarsely minced or shredded. Trust me, you need the burst of vitality from these botanicals!

• Creamy feta cheese: You'll need about ½ cup or more of creamy crumbled feta. I typically start with a small block of feta packaged in the brine, and I don't mind pulverizing it myself. Feta packaged in the brine is more luscious and not as salted as dried, already pulverized feta (besides I always keep a block of feta on hand in case the urge arises for a delectable baked feta appetizer).

Watermelon Salad Dressing

With succulent watermelons and cucumber, you may believe the dressing is unnecessary. While this watermelon and feta salad is delectable without a vinaigrette, a simple and vibrant dressing like I use here does bring it together and enhances the flavor. You only need 4 ingredients for the honey-lime dressing:

• Honey: I used 2 tablespoons of our Greek honey from Crete, the thyme and wild herb flavor really accentuates and balances the other ingredients.

• Lime juice: Use lemon juice if that's what you have on hand.

• Extra virgin olive oil: I recommend 2 tablespoons of our Greek Early Harvest EVOO or our fragrant Spanish Hojiblanca EVOO for this salad.

• Kosher salt: Just a sprinkle is all you need here to help draw out some of the delectable liquids in the cubed cucumber and watermelons.

Read Also: Easy Creamy Corn Pasta Recipe

How to Make Watermelon Salad

Summer picnic salads like thes are simple to make, add color to your table, and are so invigorating to consume on sweltering summer days. You can prepare the salad vinaigrette ahead of time and wait to garnish the salad just before serving. It should remain in your frig for up to 3 days.

• Add your watermelon cubes, cucumber, torn fresh herbs in a large salad bowl or platter.

• Pour the honey-lime vinaigrette on top, then gently stir to combine.

• Finally, pulverize feta cheese and distribute it all over the salad.

Make this Watermelon Salad Your Own

I keep this salad fairly simple—watermelon, feta, cucumber and mint, but consider this a watermelon salad foundation! In addition to the ingredients already in the salad the following additives will take this salad to the next level. Play around! It's essential to have joy with your cuisine!

• Shallots or red onions: Thinly sliced shallots will lend a little flavor and an additional burst of color.

• Avocado: Dice up a luscious avocado to add a little indulgence and healthful fat to this salad.

• Hot peppers: You can divide up some jalapeño segments for added texture and flavor.

• Red pepper flakes such as Aleppo pepper: I adore Aleppo pepper over watermelons and over mangos, it is not too fiery but adds enough of a bite with notes of sweetness. I wholeheartedly recommend it, which is why we offer it in our shop. If you attempt it don't stop with produce. I adore Aleppo pepper on a straightforward Cherry Tomato Salad or scattered over the top of Creamy Whipped Feta Dip. I could go on and on about my passion for this spice, but I will end here!

What to Serve with Watermelon Salad

Watermelon salad implies backyard get togethers with friends and family! The sun is dazzling, the grill is going, and pitcher beverages of freshly made Strawberry Lemonade or White Sangria are pouring. Once the sun begins to shine my Mediterranean spirit lightens up and I'm reminded of growing up in Port Said.

When it comes to coupling this quintessential summer salad with main dishes I have you covered! Because watermelon salad is so cold and pleasant it's a lovely way to temper anything piquant. I like to serve it with Grilled Chicken Legs with Garlic Harissa or keep it uncomplicated with Grilled Pork Souvlaki, or Chicken Kebabs.

If summer means fish, seafood or sandwiches to you then you're in luck! This watermelon feta salad pairs splendidly with Salmon Burgers, Grilled Swordfish or even Shawarma.