Few dishes are more refreshing than this Watermelon Salad tossed with salty feta, tender mint, creamy avocado, edamame, and simple lime dressing. It’s made for the hottest summer days!
5 Star Review
“I just made this for lunch and 3 of us gobbled up the whole thing! Great flavors!”
— Martha —
Why You’ll Love This Watermelon Salad Recipe
- Sweet and Savory. Pairing watermelon with savory, salty flavors like feta and red onion is a revelation. Think of it as the perfect hybrid between a summery Fruit Salad and a classic dinner salad made with fresh greens.
- Effortless Recipe. With a few simple chops and a quick toss (here’s The Best Way to Cut Watermelon), this watermelon salad is a cinch to make. That means time to enjoy the sunshine—and to whip up some summery Peach Margaritas!
- Light and Healthy. Watermelon feta salad is light and healthy, but it also manages to be satisfying so you could totally make a dinner out of it—especially on those hot, humid summer days when the only appealing foods are fruit, salad, and popsicles.
- The Best Summer Salad. Thanks to its vibrant colors and fresh flavors, this watermelon feta salad is basically summer on a plate!
Ingredients and Substitutions
You’ll find the full list of ingredients in the recipe card below, but here are some notes to keep in mind.
- Watermelon. Look for a watermelon that is round rather than oval, and that has an orange “field spot” (i.e., the spot where the melon rested on the ground), a dull sheen, and large webbing.
- Feta. One of the best pairings with watermelon! It adds contrasting creaminess and saltiness to the sweet, juicy watermelon.
- Mint. Adds another layer of refreshing summer flavor and color. Fresh basil also would be lovely in this salad.
- Lime. Gives this watermelon salad some zip and life. I prefer lime to lemon juice, as it’s not quite as acidic.
- Red Onion. Lends the salad a nice edge that I would have missed without it.
- Edamame. Nicely complements the juicy texture of the watermelon and adds protein.
- Avocado. Adds creaminess and makes the salad more filling and satisfying.
Step-By-Step Instructions
- Soak the Red Onion. This removes some of its harsh, lingering bite.
- Make Dressing. Whisk together the dressing ingredients.
- Toss. Combine the watermelon, edamame, mint, and drained red onion in a large serving bowl and toss with the dressing.
- Finish. Add the avocado and feta and gently toss to incorporate. ENJOY!
Recipe Variations
- Watermelon Salad With Cucumber. Not a fan of avocado? Can’t find a decent one at the grocery store? Make this recipe exactly as written, but swap the avocado with diced English cucumber.
- Spicy Watermelon Salad With Mango. Heat things up with thinly sliced jalapeño or serrano peppers and then add just a little more sweetness with diced mango. You can swap the feta for cotija cheese for some Tex-Mex flair.
- Arugula Watermelon Salad. Serve this salad over a bed of baby arugula, which adds a peppery contrast to the sweet melon. Finish with a drizzle of thick, syrupy balsamic vinegar or glaze before serving.
What to Serve with Watermelon Salad
- Grilled Foods. With its summery ingredients, this watermelon feta salad is fabulous with Grilled Pork Tenderloin and Grilled Shrimp.
- Chicken. Round out your dinner with a lean protein like Chicken Kabobs or Smoked Chicken Breast.
- Seafood. Balsamic Glazed Salmon or Grilled Swordfish would pair well with watermelon salad too.
- Burgers. Forget the fries! Serve my Teriyaki Burgers with Grilled Pineapple and Shrimp Burgers with watermelon salad as a side dish.
Watermelon Salad
Prep: 15 minutes
Total: 15 minutes
Servings: 4 –6 servings
Video
Watermelon salad with feta and avocado mixes sweet, salty, and creamy flavors into a refreshing dish perfect for summer meals and gatherings.
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Ingredients
- ½ red onion thinly sliced
- 4 cups watermelon 1-inch-diced
- 1 cup shelled edamame
- ½ cup lightly packed fresh mint leaves chopped
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lime juice freshly squeezed
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 medium ripe avocado peeled, pitted and cut into large dice
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
Instructions
- Place the red onion in a bowl and cover with water. Let soak while you prepare the other ingredients.
- In a small bowl or large measuring cup, whisk together the olive oil, lime juice, honey, salt, and pepper.
- To a large serving bowl, add the watermelon, edamame, mint, and drained red onion.
- Pour dressing over the watermelon mixture and toss to coat.
- Add the avocado and feta and gently toss to incorporate. Refrigerate until ready to serve. The salad will likely have some excess liquid at the bottom from the watermelon, so I recommend serving it with a slotted spoon.
Notes
- TO STORE: This watermelon feta salad is best enjoyed within a few hours after it is dressed and assembled.
- MAKE-AHEAD: Watermelon salad can be prepared up to 4 hours in advance. Add the avocado and feta just before serving.
Nutrition
Serving: 1(of 6)Calories: 186kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 6gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 11mgFiber: 3gSugar: 8g
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