Craving a light and easy salad that screams summer? Look no further than this refreshing watermelon salad! Packed with fresh watermelon, salty cheese, and a touch of fresh mint, it’s the best way to beat the heat and enjoy summer produce.

Watermelon Salad with a Balsamic Reduction | Kita Roberts PassTheSushi.com

Looking for an easy watermelon salad recipe? 

This watermelon feta salad recipe is for you! It’s easy to throw together with sweet watermelon, tangy feta, and a touch of mint. Perfect for hot days and ready in minutes – win-win!

If you’re looking for the perfect summer salad, this watermelon salad is it. It has salty flavors like a caprese salad but with a fruity twist, like a fruit salad. We love making this flavorful salad on a hot day or any time of year when we’re craving the perfect sweet and salty flavor combination. 

What Is Watermelon Salad?

Watermelon salad is a light and refreshing dish perfect for hot summer days. It takes sweet, juicy watermelon, crumbles of salty feta cheese, and sometimes fresh mint leaves, all tossed together with a simple dressing. It’s the perfect side dish for cookouts or summer potlucks.

Watermelon Salad with a Balsamic Reduction | Kita Roberts PassTheSushi.com

What you’ll love about this recipe:

  • QUICK – This watermelon salad recipe is a breeze to throw together – perfect for busy weeknights or hot days when you don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen. Just a few simple ingredients, and you’ve got a light and cool side dish that everyone will love.
  • FRESH FLAVORS – Watermelon salad delivers the perfect sweet and salty balance. The sweetness of the watermelon pairs perfectly with the salty bite of feta cheese.

What You Need to Make Watermelon Salad

  • Balsamic vinegar: Adds a touch of acidity and sweetness to balance the watermelon’s natural sweetness.
  • Watermelon: Seedless and diced or balled for easy eating.
  • Feta cheese: Feta crumbles provide a contrasting flavor and creamy texture. Creamy goat cheese would also be delicious. 
  • Mint leaves: Fresh mint adds a refreshing herbal touch that complements the watermelon and feta.
  • Olive oil: Binds the ingredients together and adds a subtle richness.

How to Make Watermelon Salad

  • Chop the watermelon into bite-sized pieces or use a melon baller and toss with fresh mint and feta. Add the olive oil and gently toss to combine.
  • In a small saucepan over medium heat, bring the balsamic vinegar to a gentle boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for about 4 minutes. Let cool.
  • When the balsamic reduction has cooled, drizzle over the watermelon salad. Serve.

Expert Recipe Tips

  • Choosing the right watermelon is key. Look for a firm watermelon with a consistent stripe pattern and a yellow spot on its underside, indicating ripeness. A good watermelon should sound hollow when thumped. For ease of use, opt for seedless watermelon.
  • Prep the watermelon balls or cubes beforehand to make them ready for quick prep. 
Watermelon Salad with a Balsamic Reduction | Kita Roberts PassTheSushi.com

How to Store Leftovers 

Store for a day or two. The watermelon starts to break down after a couple of days, so we recommend enjoying it as soon as possible (which shouldn’t be an issue!)

What to serve with watermelon salad

Serve up your sweet and savory salad with some air fryer corn on the cob and smoked pork butt for the ultimate summer feast.

More Side Dish Recipes

SEE MORE SIDES

Ditch the heat and whip up this refreshing watermelon feta salad – a burst of summer flavor in every bite! If you try this recipe, please rate the recipe card and leave a comment down below to help out the next reader! 

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Watermelon Salad with a Balsamic Reduction

from Damn Delicious who has it hanging out over at Naturebox

Ingredients:Watermelon Salad with a Balsamic Reduction | Kita Roberts PassTheSushi.com

  • 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 6 cups diced seedless watermelon
  • 4 oz crumbled black pepeprcorn feta cheese
  • 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves
  • 2 tbs olive oil

Preparation:

Chop the watermelon into bite sized pieces and toss with fresh mint and feta. Add the olive oil and gently toss to combine.

In a small saucepan over medium heat, bring the balsamic vinegar to a gentle boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer about 4 minutes. Let cool.

When balsamic reduction has cooled, drizzle over watermelon salad. Serve

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Recipe FAQs

  • Mediterranean: Swap feta for fresh mozzarella, drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with oregano and red pepper flakes.
  • Spicy: Add a chopped jalapeno (start small!), or use chipotle peppers in adobo sauce for a smoky kick.
  • Watermelon Arugula Salad: Add peppery arugula. Top with blue cheese, walnuts, and balsamic vinaigrette.
  • Tropical Twist: Add diced mango, pineapple, or dried fruit for a taste of the tropics.
  • Fruity Fiesta: Go vegan! Combine watermelon with other summer fruits and a lime vinaigrette.
  • Summer Berry Burst: Create a beautiful centerpiece with watermelon hearts or a ring filled with fresh berries and simple lemon syrup.
  • Avocado: Add some avocados to the mix, or make our watermelon avocado salad instead!

 

Kita is a world traveled photographer and writer with over a decade of experience. An award-winning cocktail developer and not-so-secret BBQ aficionado.

11 Comments

  2. I love the combo of watermelon, balsamic and feta! Mmm, so good!

    Reply

  3. I want washi tape too!!! Not sure what I’d use it for, but I want it LOL! And I want this salad. Balsamic and watermelon is the best thing ever!

    Reply

  4. AND I have mint growing, woo hoo!!!!! I always say I will try a savory watermelon salad, and still have not tried one yet. Your recipe sounds fun, easy, and delicious! 🙂 Hugs, Terra

    Reply

  7. Don’t worry about not cooking as much over the summer! Maybe you can washabi tape this….

    Reply

  9. So what I hear you saying is, you’re so awesome at cooking, it doesn’t feel like you’re doing any cooking? That’s a good place to be! 🙂 Love the sound of this watermelon salad–I’m all about semi-savory watermelon this summer!

    Reply

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