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When days get hot and juicy watermelons are everywhere, nothing beats this watermelon cucumber feta salad for chilling out and livening up your summer plate. Sweet bites of watermelon alongside crisp cucumber and rich feta cheese all come together with a punchy lime and mint dressing. This salad looks awesome on a party platter, but honestly, I love tossing it together for my own simple lunch when the heat is on.
I first whipped this up for a cookout with neighbors and everyone kept talking about it for days. It's now what I throw together anytime I want an easy dish that stays tasty on the go and feels like bringing sunshine to the table.
Delicious Ingredients
- Feta cheese: Salty and slightly tangy, feta adds rich creaminess. Crumble it yourself from a block for the best texture.
- Cucumber: Cool crunch and fresh vibes—slice, then quarter your cucumbers. Pick ones that feel firm and have smooth skin.
- Watermelon: Sweet and juicy, cubed up for easy forkfuls. Pick one that's heavy and look for deep color, not too many white marks.
- Black pepper: A dash of fresh-ground is ideal, for a little extra snap.
- Fine sea salt: Melds all the flavors together. Go for a fine type so it dissolves fast.
- Lime juice: Lifts all the sweetness with a zippy kick. If you've got a lime, squeeze it fresh.
- Chopped fresh mint: Bright and herbal, mint makes the salad sing. Use unbruised, vibrant leaves.
- Extra virgin olive oil: Smooth and tasty, it makes the dressing come together. Grab your fruitiest bottle for best taste.
Simple How-Tos
- Add Finishing Touches:
- Dish up the salad into a nice bowl or plate. Sprinkle a bit of extra mint and feta on top for a bit of color. Dig in right away while it's ice-cold and the flavors pop.
- Toss It Together:
- Toss the cucumber, watermelon, and most of your feta into the bowl with your mint-lime dressing. Use a big spoon or spatula and mix gently so the watermelon doesn't get mushy.
- Chop Everything Up:
- Cut the watermelon into easy chunks, slice the cucumber and quarter each piece, and crumble the feta if it's a big block. Save a little mint and cheese for the end.
- Mix Up the Dressing:
- Grab a roomy mixing bowl and pour in the olive oil, squeeze in that lime, add chopped mint, sea salt, and black pepper. Whisk it until it all blends and smells super fresh.
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I always throw in a big handful of mint for myself because the crisp taste makes me think of snipping sprigs from my grandma's old garden. Every time I share this with friends, it feels like a picnic even if we're just hanging out inside.
How to Store It
If you're prepping ahead, keep the dressing in a separate jar from the salad stuff. That way, the watermelon and cucumbers stay crunchy till you serve. Once you toss everything together, leftovers last in the fridge about a day—it's always best right after mixing.
Other Ingredient Ideas
No fresh mint around? Just use basil instead for a nice twist. Got goat cheese? Swap it in for a creamier bite. If limes are out, lemon juice totally works too. You can also use Persian cucumbers instead of English or regular ones—totally fine!
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Ways to Enjoy
This salad is awesome as a cool side for grilled chicken or seafood. It's right at home with your picnic favorites or even tossed over arugula for a light lunch. For brunch, I sometimes add crunchy toasted walnuts on top too.
Food Traditions
Mixing fruit with briny cheese is the norm all over the Mediterranean. You'll spot watermelon with feta everywhere in Greece, Turkey, and parts of the Middle East. I love that making this brings those laid-back summer flavors to my own kitchen in a snap.
Recipe FAQs
- → Will this salad hold up if I fix it before I need it?
This one's best eaten fresh, but you can chop everything in advance. Just leave mixing until the last minute so the watermelon stays crunchy.
- → Which feta should I grab for the best flavor?
Grab a block of feta packed in brine if you can. Break it up right before you mix it in for the creamiest, most flavorful bite.
- → Got tips for picking a good watermelon?
Go for a melon that's heavy for its size with a creamy yellow spot on one side. If you smack it and it sounds hollow, that's usually a good sign it's sweet and ripe.
- → Can I swap in a different herb instead of mint?
Fresh basil is a great backup. It changes the flavor a bit, but you'll still get a nice fresh taste if you don’t have mint available.
- → Can this be done without dairy?
Just leave out the feta or use your favorite dairy-free brand, and you’re good to go.