The Sun’s out, Summer is practically here and watermelon season—at least in our household—is in full effect.
As you may know, my boyfriend works in the produce industry, more specifically he’s a watermelon salesman, a “melonhead” if you will. And, with the impending arrival of Memorial Day around the corner, there has been endless talk, work calls, and discussion of watermelon dominating the topic of conversation around here. So, I was more than inclined to throw together a salad, featuring that fine fruit.
I generally don’t need any excuse to eat watermelon, it’s one of my favorites, and if left to my own devices I can easily consume an entire one by myself in a day. But making a salad like this makes it feel like a real meal, slightly more adult, and not to mention it’s totally delicious. Cold, sweet watermelon and salty feta. Totally my thing.
I typically make this Greek watermelon salad all season long, both in individual servings like I did here, or in a massive platter if there’s a few more people dining with us. I highly recommend trying this out, if you haven’t already, I promise you’ll like it.
my boyfriend works in the produce industry, more specifically he’s a watermelon salesman, a “melonhead” if you will
Ingredients for Watermelon Salad with Feta and Mint
You only need a few ingredients to make this happen:
- 2 cups cubed watermelon (chilled)
- 4 oz feta cheese, crumbled
- 1/4 cup Kalamata olives, pits removed
- 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp fresh mint, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup good olive oil
- Fresh ground black pepper, to finish
How to Make Watermelon Feta Salad
The best part about this salad? It requires absolutely no cooking. Just a little prep and layering.
- Soak the red onions
This is a little tip I always recommend for raw onion. Slice the onion as thinly as you have the patience for, then soak the slices in cold water for about 5 minutes. This cuts the acrid bite and leaves you with mellow, crisp flavor. - Assemble the salad
Arrange your watermelon in an even layer—on a plate for individual servings or a platter for a group. Top with crumbled feta, pitted olives, soaked onions, and fresh mint. - Dress and eat!
Drizzle the whole thing with a little good-quality olive oil and add some fresh ground pepper. And that’s it. Summer on a plate.
Tips for the Best Greek Watermelon Salad
- Keep your watermelon cold. It makes the salad extra refreshing, especially on hot days.
- Use a block of feta, not pre-crumbled. It has more flavor and better texture.
- Don’t skip the mint. It ties everything together and adds that fresh, almost cooling layer.
- Serve immediately. The watermelon will start to release juice, so assemble just before serving for the best texture.
FAQs About Watermelon Salad
Can I make watermelon salad ahead of time?
You can prep the ingredients in advance, but wait to assemble until just before serving. This keeps the watermelon from getting soggy.
What’s the best feta for watermelon salad?
A block of sheep’s milk feta in brine is ideal. It’s creamier and more flavorful than pre-crumbled versions.
What can I substitute for mint?
Fresh basil or a mix of herbs like parsley and dill also works.
Can I add other ingredients?
Yes! Try adding cucumber, avocado, chili flakes, or even grilled shrimp or halloumi if you want to turn it into a main dish.
More Summer Recipes to Try:
Watermelon Salad with Feta – This watermelon salad with feta has lots of Castelvetrano olives, fresh basil, cracked black pepper and delicious quick pickled onions.
Chipotle Watermelon Salad with Queso Fresco & Pepitas – This refreshing chipotle watermelon salad combines smoky chipotle powder, crisp radish, creamy queso fresco, and crunchy pepitas for a refreshing summer side dish.
Watermelon Gazpacho – A refreshing chilled watermelon and tomato gazpacho with radishes and sourdough croutons.
Cantaloupe Salad with Cucumber and Feta – This refreshing cantaloupe salad with cucumber and feta is the perfect sweet and salty summer side. Quick to prep, topped with crunchy pistachios, fresh basil, and a bright lime dressing.
Cucumber and Tomato Salad – This easy cucumber and tomato salad is the summer side you’ll make on repeat. Juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, fresh basil, and red onion tossed in olive oil and vinegar. Perfect with grilled chicken, fish, or just crusty bread.
Celery Apple Fennel Salad – A quick and easy celery salad with fresh fennel, radishes, parsley, toasted sesame and a five spice dressing.
Stone Fruit Caprese Salad – This stone fruit caprese salad is a delicious twist on the classic! Juicy peaches, plums, tomatoes and fresh mozzarella get topped with fresh mint and oregano.
Dakos – The traditional mezze of dried barley rusk topped with juicy tomatoes and crumbled feta or mizithra cheese. It’s not just Greek bruschetta.
Did you make this recipe?
Did you try this Greek Watermelon Salad recipe with feta and mint? Leave a comment and star rating below with your thoughts or share your version on Instagram by tagging @TheMostHungry. I can’t wait to see it!
Greek Watermelon Salad with Feta and Mint
Ingredients
- 2 C watermelon
- 4 oz feta cheese crumbled
- 1/4 C kalamata olives remove pits
- 1/4 red onion thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp fresh mint thinly sliced
- 1/4 C olive oil
- fresh ground pepper
Instructions
- The great thing with all salads it that they’re a breeze to make since there’s no actual cooking involved. The one bit of prep I would suggest doing is to soak the red onions. Slice the onion a fine as you can, or have the patience for, and let them soak in some cold water for about 5 minutes. This will get rid of that harsh, acrid taste that raw onions can have.
- With that bit done, it’s time to plate it up. I like to arrange the watermelon in a fairy even layer on the plate, this applies for individual servings, like I did here, or if I’m doing a big platter for a party. Next top with the feta, olives, mint and onions. I also like to finish the salad with a drizzle of good olive oil and some fresh ground pepper. That’s it. Eat up!
Notes
Did You Make This Recipe?
Leave a comment with your thoughts or share your version on Instagram by tagging @TheMostHungry. I’d love to see how you made it your own!
3 thoughts on Greek Watermelon Salad with Feta and Mint
This looks delish. I would add a drizzle of very aged balsamic – FINI, product of Italy or L’acetala Passion. Otherwise it’s the perfect salad.
I have made this recipe twice and it is, by far, my new favorite salad of the summer! I loved the note about soaking the onions to get ride of the harsh, acrid taste. I usually don’t add onions to recipes for that reason, often too harsh a flavor. I am in heaven!