Refreshing Watermelon Mint Salad
This watermelon mint salad is a refreshing and flavorful side dish to complement your summer spread! With the sweet juiciness of watermelon, the tangy saltiness of feta, and the zing of red wine vinegar, this simple dish packs a punch of surprising complexity that will inspire your taste buds.
As the temperature outside rises, it’s important to stay hydrated, and this salad is the perfect solution. Watermelon’s high-water content not only provides a refreshing respite from the heat, but it also helps to counteract the dehydrating effects of sweating. So not only will you enjoy the delicious flavors of this dish, but you’ll also be doing your body a favor.
After just one bite, you’ll be wondering why watermelon and feta aren’t paired together more often. So next time you’re in the mood for a fresh and tasty side dish, give this watermelon salad a try. Your taste buds (and your body) will thank you!
Pro Tip: If you need a way to use up that leftover watermelon from this recipe, you can make this Watermelon Gin cocktail as well!
Ingredients
- Watermelon: Choose a ripe and firm watermelon. Look for a watermelon that is ripe but not overripe. It should be firm to the touch and have a deep, uniform color.
- Cheese: Feta and watermelon are a great pairing because they offer a balance of sweet and salty flavors that complement each other. Watermelon’s natural sweetness and refreshing qualities are a perfect contrast to feta’s salty and tangy taste. Additionally, traditional feta has a crumbly texture that pairs well with the juicy and crisp texture of watermelon.
- Purple Onion: When it comes to using purple onions in this dish, finely chopping them is key. By doing so, you’ll be able to fully savor their flavor without having to contend with any overpowering chunks. So, make sure to chop your purple onions as finely as possible!
- Cucumber: English cucumbers are ideal for this recipe. You want to ensure that the cucumber is chopped and that the pieces are about half the size of the watermelon chunks. This ensures that each bite has a good ratio of watermelon to cucumber.
- Mint: The key here is to remove the leaves from their stems and slice them thinly. I used Mojito Mint but any mint variety will do.
Some Recipes to Pair with This Salad
Refreshing Watermelon Mint Salad
Ingredients
Salad Base
- 3 cups Watermelon 1.5 x 1.5 centimeter (0.6 x 0.6 inch) cubes
- 1 medium English Cucumber sliced with seeds removed
- 1/4 cup Fresh Mint Leaves coarsely chopped
- 0.5 teaspoon Chili Flakes (optional)
- 1/2 cup Red Onion minced
- 1/2 cup Feta Cheese crumbled
Dressing
- 1 Lime juiced
- 3 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 2 – 2.5 tablespoons Red Wine Vinegar
- salt to taste
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together oil, vinegar, and salt to make the dressing.
- In a medium bowl, combine watermelon, cucumber, feta, and red onion. Place a strainer on top of the bowl and transfer it to the refrigerator. Allow the salad to chill and the excess liquid from the watermelon to drain for 5 minutes.
- Once the excess liquid from the watermelon has drained, transfer the salad to a large serving bowl. Add the dressing and toss to coat. Refrigerate for 3 hours. Before serving, add the mint leaves. Garnish with additional mint and flaky sea salt, if desired.
