Ingredients
Scale
- For the Salad:
- 6 cups cubed seedless watermelon (about ½ medium watermelon, rind removed)
- 6–8 oz (170-225g) good quality feta cheese, crumbled or cubed (from a block packed in brine is best)
- ½ cup fresh mint leaves, roughly chopped or torn (plus extra sprigs for garnish)
- Optional: ¼ – ½ small red onion, very thinly sliced (soak in ice water for 10 minutes to mellow flavor, if desired)
- Optional: ½ English cucumber, peeled (or not), deseeded, and diced for extra crunch and freshness.
- For the Lime Vinaigrette:
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (good quality)
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (from 1–2 limes)
- 1 teaspoon lime zest (optional, for extra lime flavor)
- Pinch of sea salt (use sparingly, as feta is already salty)
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Optional: ½ teaspoon honey or agave nectar (if your watermelon isn’t very sweet or you prefer a touch more sweetness in the dressing)
Instructions
- Prepare the Watermelon:
- Cut the watermelon into bite-sized cubes (about ¾ to 1-inch). Remove any visible seeds if you’re not using a seedless variety.
- Place the cubed watermelon in a large salad bowl. It’s helpful to chill the watermelon beforehand for an extra refreshing salad.
- Prepare Other Salad Ingredients:
- If using red onion, slice it very thinly. For a milder flavor, you can soak the sliced red onion in a bowl of ice water for about 10 minutes, then drain thoroughly and pat dry. Add to the bowl with the watermelon.
- If using cucumber, dice it and add it to the bowl.
- Crumble or cube the feta cheese.
- Roughly chop or tear the fresh mint leaves.
- Make the Lime Vinaigrette:
- In a small bowl or a glass jar with a lid, combine the extra virgin olive oil, fresh lime juice, optional lime zest, sea salt, and freshly ground black pepper.
- If using, add the honey or agave nectar.
- Whisk well (or shake the jar) until the dressing is emulsified and well combined.
- Taste the dressing and adjust seasoning if necessary. You might want a little more lime juice for tartness or a touch more sweetener.
- Assemble the Salad (Just Before Serving is Best):
- Add about half of the crumbled feta cheese and half of the chopped fresh mint to the bowl with the watermelon (and red onion/cucumber if using).
- Pour the prepared lime vinaigrette over the watermelon mixture.
- Gently toss everything together to coat the ingredients lightly with the dressing. Be gentle to avoid mashing the watermelon or breaking down the feta too much.
- Garnish and Serve:
- Transfer the salad to a serving platter or serve directly from the bowl.
- Sprinkle the remaining feta cheese and fresh mint leaves over the top.
- Garnish with a few extra sprigs of fresh mint, if desired.
- Serve immediately for the best flavor and texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: one normal portion
- Calories: 150-250 calories