With the ideal mix of sweet and savory flavors, Watermelon Salad with Feta is an easy salad that’s quick to make and always wows guests! Whether served as a side dish or light lunch, it’s the best cool summer salad.
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Fresh salads are my go-to for lunch, dinner, cookouts, parties, and any summer gathering. I love picking out homegrown fruit and veggies at the farmer’s market and turning them into something special.
This watermelon salad recipe has been on my summer salad list for years. The salty, crumbly feta cheese perfectly balances the sweet, juicy watermelon, and the red onion gives it just the right amount of crunch. As a bonus, it takes just minutes to put it together!
How To Keep This Salad Fresh
When making watermelon salads, the liquid in the watermelon tends to make the salad soggy. The best way to plan ahead is just to keep the watermelon chopped but separate in the fridge until just before serving. I even like to keep it in a salad spinner to let excess water drain out.
Ingredients For Watermelon Feta Salad
- Fresh Baby Spinach – Baby spinach is sweeter than larger leaves.
- Watermelon – Opt for seedless to save time. But a pro tip: even seedless seeds have little white seeds.
- Red Onion – If these are too tangy for you raw, you can let them sit in water for a little bit. This will take the edge off of them.
- Feta Cheese – Feel free to swap with blue cheese.
- Grape Tomatoes – I love cherry tomatoes for a bit of additional sweetness.
- Balsamic Vinegar – This is a sweeter vinegar that works great with watermelon, but Champagne vinegar will work too.
- Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
- Honey – Feel free to swap with agave.
- Dijon Mustard – This is the best way to add more flavor with less ingredients.
- Kosher Salt and Cracked Black Pepper
How To Pick A Watermelon That’s Ripe, Sweet, And Juicy
- Look for a watermelon with a creamy yellow spot on the bottom. This spot is where the watermelon sat on the ground while it was ripening, indicating that it had had time to develop its flavor.
- Look for a watermelon that is heavy for its size. This means that it is full of water and will be juicy.
- Avoid watermelons with soft spots or bruises. These spots indicate that the watermelon is not ripe or has been damaged.
- Give it the THUMP TEST! A ripe watermelon will have a hollow sound when you thump it.
How To Make The Best Watermelon And Feta Salad
- Wash and dry the spinach, then place it in a large bowl or on a platter. I use my salad spinner, making washing lettuce easy and quick.
- Cut the watermelon into cubes, slice the red onion, and cut the grape tomatoes in half. Place them on top of the spinach.
- Break the feta cheese into chunks using a fork and sprinkle it over the salad.
- Add the dressing ingredients to a small bowl or mason jar. Whisk together or shake in the jar until combined. Drizzle the dressing over the salad, toss, and serve.
Delicious Recipe Variations
- For the best flavor and texture, use Greek Feta cheese that comes in a block. Use a fork to break up the cheese into small pieces.
- Toss in cucumber and Kalamata olives for a Mediterranean vibe.
- Garnish the salad with fresh herbs like mint, basil, or thyme for a pop of flavor.
What To Serve With Watermelon Salad
One of my favorite ways to serve this sweet watermelon salad is with Grilled Pork Tenderloin, Grilled Lemon Chicken, or Oven Baked BBQ Chicken.
It’s especially good with anything hot and spicy, like Air Fryer Nashville Hot Chicken or Cajun Garlic Shrimp.
I also love serving this salad on a summer buffet with Sausage Jalapeño Popper Dip, Carolina Slaw Dogs, Crock Pot Baked Beans, and BBQ Grilled Chicken Legs.
Don’t blink! I say this with a wink and seriousness because this salad recipe comes together in just minutes.
Common Questions With Answers
This salad is best served chilled or at room temperature. I keep the watermelon in the fridge before making it, which helps it stay chilled.
It will last for about two days in the refrigerator stored in an airtight container. Make sure to toss the salad after it’s been stored to mix in any dressing that may have settled.
Craving More Fresh Salads? Try These
If you tried this Watermelon Salad with Feta Recipe or any other recipe, please leave a star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. Thanks!
Ingredients
- 6 cups washed baby spinach
- 4 cup cubed watermelon
- ¼ red onion – thinly sliced
- 1 cup feta cheese
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes
- salt and pepper
Dressing
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 large clove garlic (grated)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Wash and dry the spinach, then place it in a large bowl or on a platter.
- Top watermelon, grape or cherry tomatoes, red onion, feta cheese, and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Drizzle with balsamic dressing and serve.
Dressing
- Place all ingredients in a small jar and shake to emulsify.
Video
Notes
- This salad is best served chilled or at room temperature. I keep the watermelon in the fridge before making it, which helps the salad stay chilled.
- Sweet watermelon salad will last for about two days in the refrigerator, stored in an airtight container. Make sure to toss the salad after it’s been stored to mix in any dressing that may have settled.
Nutrition
This post was originally published in August, 2012 and updates in May, 2023.
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This was delicious, Donya! Had to do without the tomatoes, but very tasty, with the nice tangy dressing. My husband said, “What a delightful salad!” Thank you for the many good recipes you share here.
Hey there Jackie!
Wow! I am so thrilled to hear that you enjoyed this recipe, I completely agree with you that the dressing is really makes this salad so tasty! Thank you so much for your kind words of support and your fantastic rating, if you ever have any questions about a recipe I’d be more than happy to help out!
~Donya