This beautiful Watermelon Feta Berry Salad recipe is sure to become a favorite. Watermelon is a fantastic go-to ingredient for summer, whether you’re making starters, salads, desserts, or more. The sweetness and freshness of the watermelon pair perfectly with the savory feta cheese, sweet blueberries, and the bright flavors of basil and mint. The honey lemon dressing brings all the flavors together.
With just a few ingredients and minutes of prep, this salad is great for any special occasion, family gathering, BBQ cookout, or even if you just need something easy for lunch. This watermelon salad is the ideal summertime dish!
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Summer is here, and the best part is that it’s watermelon season! As a huge fan of watermelon, one of my favorite things is serving this watermelon feta berry salad at summer cookouts.
I love watermelon so much that I’ve been making Strawberry Watermelon Smoothie over and over again! As the summer days get hotter, a refreshing side dish is a must-have. This fruit salad is just that—delicious, refreshing, and perfect for any summer meal.
You’ll enjoy the combination of juicy, sweet, savory, and fresh flavors that make this watermelon feta berry salad a fantastic summer dish. The recipe is easy to adapt in different ways to suit your taste, offering plenty of versatility. Not only does this watermelon berry salad look and taste amazing, but it’s also packed with nutrients, making it a healthy choice for a sweet and savory summer side dish! Need another quick salad for potluck or BBQ? Try my Coleslaw Salad, Easy Greek Salad or Polish Cucumber Salad.
WHAT YOU’ll NEED TO MAKE THIS REFRESHING WATERMELON FETA BERRY SALAD
Making this watermelon feta berry salad requires only a few simple ingredients.
- Watermelon – Fresh watermelon cut into cubes. Choose a ripe and sweet watermelon for the best flavor.
- Feta cheese – For the best results, use a block of feta cheese instead of pre-crumbled or cubed versions. For a vegan watermelon salad, use dairy free feta style cheese.
- Fresh Blueberry – Blueberries in this salad add a burst of sweetness and a pop of color. Their juicy, tangy flavor complements the other ingredients and enhances the overall freshness of the salad.
- Fresh mint and fresh basil – Fresh mint and basil add a wonderful burst of flavor. Mint adds a cool, crisp taste, while basil provides a hint of sweetness and a herbal touch.
- For the honey lemon dressing – Use fresh lemon juice, organic honey, and a pinch of salt. It’s a super simple and refreshing dressing.
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements and the complete list of ingredients and quantities in the recipe card below.
HOW TO MAKE WATERMELON FETA BERRY SALAD
1. CHOP THE WATERMELON
First, chop the watermelon into small, bite-sized pieces. One easy method is to cut the watermelon in half. Place the halves cut side down on a cutting board. Using a sharp knife, make vertical and horizontal cuts about 1 inch apart to create a grid pattern. This will result in long rectangular sticks, which you can then cut into cubes.
2. MAKE THE HONEY LEMON DRESSING
In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, squeezed lemon juice, and sea salt, then set it aside.
3. ASSEMBLE THE SALAD
Add the watermelon, blueberries, basil, and mint leaves to a large bowl. Crumble the feta cheese into the bowl and toss everything together. Pour the dressing over the salad and gently toss until fully coated. Use salad tongs (or a large spoon) to carefully toss the salad until thoroughly combined. Adjust the seasoning to taste, and top with additional feta cheese, fresh basil, and mint if desired.
For the best flavor, let it sit in the fridge for 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld before serving. Enjoy!
How to Serve and Keep the Salad Fresh: If serving immediately, pour the honey-lemon glaze over the salad and gently toss. If serving later, refrigerate the salad without the glaze and cover it. Just before serving, add the honey-lemon glaze.
OPTIONAL ADD-INS AND VARIATIONS
What makes this Watermelon Feta Salad great is its versatility. You can mix and match other ingredients to enhance the texture, flavor, and contrast. Here are some of my favorite add-ons:
- Vinaigrette: I didn’t add any olive oil to the simple honey-lemon dressing for this salad. However, if you prefer a vinaigrette, you can combine extra virgin olive oil with lemon juice and honey. Alternatively, you can use balsamic vinegar for a touch of sweetness in the dressing.
- Other fruit/vegetables: You can experiment with several other add-ins, including Arugula, strawberries, blackberries, cucumber, red onions (raw or pickled), figs, grapes, apples, pomegranate seeds (a favorite of mine).
- Nuts/Seeds: For added crunch, you can sprinkle over crushed pistachios, walnuts, pine nuts, hazelnuts, sesame seeds, or hemp seeds.
Looking for more summer-inspired recipes? Check out these ideas for light and flavorful meals, along with some delicious desserts:
- Zucchini Carrot Fritters
- Beetroot Carpaccio with Feta
- Almond Sand Dollar Cookies
- No-Churn Pistachio Ice Cream
- Easy Plum Cake
- Rhubarb Strawberry Sauce
HOW TO MAKE AHEAD AND STORE
I wouldn’t suggest preparing the entire salad ahead of time, as the dressing can make the watermelon soggy if stored. Instead, prep all the ingredients in advance and assemble the salad just before serving for the best texture and freshness:
MAKE AHEAD INSTRUCTIONS:
- You can chop the watermelon up to a day in advance and keep it stored in an airtight large container in the refrigerator.
- Make the honey-lemon dressing and keep it stored in the refrigerator.
- Fresh mint and fresh basil should be sliced right before serving.
- When ready to serve, toss everything with dressing and serve immediately.
STORE:
- Store any leftover watermelon feta berry salad in an airtight container in the fridge for 1-2 days. Since the salad tends to become soggy after being tossed with the dressing, it’s best to enjoy it as soon as possible for optimal freshness.
RECIPE NOTES
- Enjoy it chilled: The best thing about watermelon on a hot summer day is having it perfectly chilled. The same goes for this Watermelon Feta Berry Salad. If you’re not planning to eat it right away, be sure to chill it until you’re ready. I always keep my watermelon in the fridge so it’s cool before chopping.
- Marinate for best results: For the best results, marinate the salad for 15 minutes to let the flavors meld.
- Use high-quality feta: It may not seem important, but using a high-quality feta can significantly enhance this simple Watermelon Feta Berry Salad. I recommend using a high-quality block of feta for its richer flavor and better texture. French feta, which is creamier, or Greek feta, known for its tangy taste, are excellent choices.
FAQs
How do I pick a sweet watermelon?
When selecting a ripe watermelon, look for the large field spot where the watermelon was resting while growing. A creamy yellow spot, rather than white, is a good sign of ripeness. Give it a tap; a firm, solid thud indicates it’s just right, while a soft, dull sound suggests it may be overripe.
Can I use frozen blueberries?
I recommend using fresh blueberries, as frozen ones can become soggy once they thaw.
Can I skip honey in the salad dressing?
Honey adds a natural sweetness that balances the tangy lemon and savory feta, and it helps blend the flavors together. While you can omit honey, it might affect the overall flavor and sweetness of the dressing. If you prefer not to use honey, you might want to find an alternative sweetener to achieve a similar balance.
If you give this Watermelon Feta Berry Salad a try, let me know your thoughts and any questions in the comments section. 😊 I genuinely appreciate your feedback and am always here to answer any questions you may have. Also, be sure to pin the recipe by clicking the ‘PIN’ button for future reference.
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Cheers! -A
The nutritional and calories information shown is an estimated provided by an online nutrition calculator. Although The Tasty Chapter attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
WATERMELON FETA BERRY SALAD
Ingredients
- 5 cups watermelon seedless or with seeds cut into cubes
- 1 1/2 cup fresh blueberries plus more to taste
- 3/4 cup Feta cheese, crumbled (or more to taste)
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil, thinly sliced (or more to taste)
- 2 tablespoons fresh mint, thinly sliced (or more to taste)
For the Dressing:
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (about 1 whole lemon)
- 2-3 tablespoons honey you can also use maple syrup or agave syrup
- sea salt to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Make the honey lemon drizzle. In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, lemon juice, and sea salt, then set it aside.
- Chop the watermelon. Chop the watermelon into small, bite-sized pieces. One easy method is to cut the watermelon in half. Place the halves cut side down on a cutting board. Using a sharp knife, make vertical and horizontal cuts about 1 inch apart to create a grid pattern. This will result in long rectangular sticks, which you can then cut into cubes.
- Toss the salad. Add the watermelon, blueberries, basil, and mint leaves to a large bowl. Crumble the feta cheese into the bowl and toss everything together. Pour the dressing over the salad and gently toss until fully coated. Use salad tongs (or a large spoon) to carefully toss the salad until thoroughly combined. Adjust the seasoning to taste, and top with additional feta cheese, fresh basil, and mint if desired. For the best flavor, let it sit in the fridge for 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld before serving. Enjoy!