This watermelon salad is full of sliced cucumbers, crumbled feta cheese and mint, all tossed in an easy lime dressing. A simple yet unusual summer salad that’s sure to get rave reviews.
Watermelon feta salad is one of those flavor combinations that sounds odd, but just works SO well together. Add some crisp and refreshing cucumbers and mint to the mix, and you’ve got a fresh and colorful side dish that everyone will love.
One of my fondest summer memories is the watermelon seed spitting contests I would have with friends and family. This watermelon salad doesn’t contain watermelon seeds, but when I was preparing it, I couldn’t help thinking back to those times. The fresh watermelon and cucumber truly make for a delicious and refreshing combination on a hot summer day.
HOW DO YOU MAKE WATERMELON SALAD?
For this recipe, you’ll need cubed watermelon, sliced cucumbers, crumbled feta cheese and mint leaves. A simple lime dressing goes over the top of the salad and everything is tossed together for a fresh and colorful dish. The sweet watermelon with the salty feta is a flavor pairing that may sound unconventional, but it truly is amazing.
Just as a heads up, it can be temping to buy the pre-crumbled feta because it’s more easily available and ready to just dump into a salad. However, the blocks of feta are much more flavorful even if they take a touch more work to crumble up before adding to the dish. With this watermelon cucumber salad, any type of cucumber is fine as long as you remove the seeds before slicing.
I cut my watermelon into chunks because it’s quicker and easier that way. However, you can use a melon baller if you’re looking for a more elegant presentation for your watermelon feta salad. I add the mint at the very last second, as cut mint can turn brown over time. Small, whole mint leaves or thinly sliced pieces of mint are best suited for this watermelon salad.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ENGLISH AND REGULAR CUCUMBERS?
English cucumbers are often sold wrapped in plastic. They are typically seedless and do not have the waxed coating like standard cucumbers. Regular cucumbers are more commonly sold outside of a package and definitely contain seeds that have to be scooped out for recipes like this watermelon feta salad.
IS WATERMELON SALAD STILL GOOD WITHOUT THE DRESSING?
This watermelon cucumber salad is still delicious without the dressing. However, the dressing ties all the flavors together and really completes the dish. Although I love the dressing, it’s not necessary for this watermelon salad to still be a refreshing delight.
I haven’t made this salad as often as I should! I’ve brought it back out into the light this summer because I was reminded of how easy and delicious it is. It’s always a great hit at get togethers or just at home for a snack or side dish.
MORE WATERMELON RECIPES YOU’LL LOVE
Watermelon Salad with Feta and Cucumber
Ingredients
- 3 cups watermelon cubed or balled
- 1 1/2 cups sliced cucumber seeds removed
- 2 tablespoons mint thinly sliced or small mint leaves
- 1/3 cup feta cheese crumbled
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Place the watermelon, cucumber and mint in a large bowl.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lime juice and salt and pepper.
- Drizzle the dressing over the melon mixture and toss to coat. Sprinkle with feta and serve.
Maggie says
Hi, there – just wondering if this delicious Watermelon & cucumber, and feta salad can be made in advance?
if so how long in advance would you recommend?
Sara says
You could chop up the cucumber and watermelon and store them separately up to 4 hours in advance, then combine everything just before serving. This isn’t a salad that does well when assembled in advance because the cucumber and watermelon will both release liquid as they sit in the dressing.
Tlaw says
How does this recipe do kept overnight? Ok to make ahead?
Sara says
I wouldn’t make it ahead because both the watermelon and cucumber will release liquid as it sits overnight and change the texture of the dish.
Julie says
I am not a watermelon type person but rest of my family loves watermelon and had some in the fridge. I just tried this and OMG it’s da bomb. The combo of cucumbers, mint and watermelon on simple dressing just works for some reason. Thank you for such awesome recipe.
Patsy Southern says
First time making it, it is sooooo good. Will be making it again,and again,and again you get my drift. Thank you .patsy
Debbie says
I don’t have feta but would fresh gorganzola work? or goat cheese?
Sara says
Goat cheese should work fine!
Lin says
I haven’t tried the recipe yet but i had watermelon and feta together before so i know it will be amazing!! i just had a quick question. It say 168calories for 4 servings but when i changed it to 2 since its going to be only two people and we dont want waste, the calories didnt change. So i was just wondering what those calories indicate? Is it 1 serving is 168 calories or is the 4 serving that indicates that? Thank you! <3
Sara says
The calories are per serving!
Francina Miller says
I only have dried mint, would that work for this dish
Sara says
I would not use dried mint, I’d recommend substituting a different fresh herb.
Denise says
I made this with Mexican stuffed peppers. It was delicious!
Steve Duran says
Absolutely delicious as directed, but the second time I made it I added Cavender’s Greek Seasoning in place of the salt and pepper, took it to another level.
Jenny says
The ingredients sounded odd but boy was this salad wonderful! A new favorite at my house! Thanks for the recipe Sara, I love your site
Beth says
This was my first watermelon salad. It was easy and delicious and well received! I followed the recipe exactly as written. Thank you!
Marsha says
I love this recipe! Beautiful presentation – but best of all – easy to do!
Marina W says
This was my first time making a watermelon salad and it turned out so good! I didn’t add the mint because I don’t like it in savory dishes. I definitely recommend this recipe and I’ll be making it again.
Christy says
I love this recipe! Simple & quick to make & so delicious!!
Diane says
I have made this so many times this summer because I had an abundance of cucumbers and mint from my garden! One addition…I add about one teaspoon of balsamic vinegar in the dressing and whip with an immersion blender. Adds a wonderful hint of tang and brings out all the flavors!
Teri F says
I didn’t have mint but I had fresh lemon basil and it was perfect with this salad.
LanaP says
SO good! Served as the side for grilled herb chicken thighs and it was the perfect compliment. Thank you!!
Donna Ross says
Very good. I used cilantro. Probably not fir everyone but I love it.
Cindy says
Tried this recipe for something different during the quarantine. It’s now one of our favorites! I even bought a mint plant so we have fresh mint.