Watermelon Feta Mint Salad

This Watermelon Feta Mint Salad is unlike any you’ve had before, thanks to a boost of flavor from citrus juice and zest, and lots of seasoning. Plus, the ratio of watermelon to feta is sure to please cheese lovers!

This watermelon feta salad has bright flavors that other recipes don’t!

The popularity of watermelon feta salad had gone up and up in the past few decades, and it seems to be at just about every summer gathering I attend.

The problem is, a lot of times, this salad is BLAND! It shouldn’t be, right? You’ve got juicy watermelon and salty and creamy feta, so what could go wrong?

This recipe solves the trap that many watermelon feta mint salads fall into – under seasoning. Just because the feta is a bit salty doesn’t mean you don’t need to season the watermelon.

And you’ll be surprised what a long way a half a lemon and a half an orange will go towards giving this watermelon salad with feta HUGE, bright flavor.

Watermelon salad with feta ingredients

• watermelon – the star ingredient! It’s refreshing flavor and high water content make it perfect for hot summer days.
• feta cheese – the co-star! Salty and tangy feta adds a creamy element to this salad, and balances the sweetness of the watermelon nicely. More on how to choose the best feta in the next section.
• lemon juice and zest – this enhances the overall fresh taste of the watermelon salad with feta and adds a bright and tangy flavor.
• orange juice and zest – this adds another citrus flavor to the salad, but a slightly sweeter and more aromatic one.
• olive oil – not much at all, but just a tablespoon adds a touch of richness to the watermelon feta mint salad.
• salt and pepper – not to be overlooked with any watermelon feta salad recipe! They balance sweetness and add savory depth.
• fresh mint – this complements the sweetness of the watermelon and adds an herbal note.

What feta is best for feta watermelon salad?

When it comes to choosing the best feta for watermelon & feta salad, I highly recommend a high quality sheep’s milk feta.

This can be either domestic or imported from Bulgaria or Greece, and it will be so much creamier and funkier (in a good way) than a lower-end brand made with cow’s milk.

The rich flavor of the sheep’s milk feta will pair perfectly with the sweet watermelon.

One thing to note is that you want to avoid using pre-crumbled feta if at all possible. This feta watermelon salad recipe calls for large chunks of feta, that you’ll cut yourself from a block of feta.

How to make watermelon & feta salad

1. Zest and juice half the lemon and half the orange. Whisk the citrus zest and juice together with the olive oil and salt and pepper in a large bowl.
2. Chop the watermelon and the feta into cubes roughly the same size.
3. Add the watermelon, feta and mint to the bowl with the dressing and toss until everything is well combined.

How to serve watermelon and feta salad

You can serve watermelon mint feta salad right away after you make it, or chill it overnight to allow the flavors to develop.

What pairs best with watermelon mint feta salad

Since watermelon is at its best in the summer, this watermelon feta salad recipe is most often served with summer entrees like a flat iron steak on grill, grilled shrimp kabobs, or some bone-in chicken marinated in buttermilk chicken marinade. Even chicken shawarma makes a great pairing.

If you’d like an additional side dish to round out your meal, I recommend elote corn salad, potato salad with bacon or seafood pasta salad.

Watermelon feta salad storage

To store leftovers, place them in an airtight container and refrigerate up to 3 days.

Watermelon feta salad recipe FAQ