The MVP of summer fruit, sweet and juicy watermelon is perfectly refreshing all on its own. But, by simply adding cucumbers, mint, red onion, and tangy feta with a very simple vinaigrette (just olive oil + red wine vinegar), you've got yourself a mean summer salad. It’s the perfect balance of sweet and salty flavors that will pair perfectly with practically any summer meal (or all on its own, straight out of the bowl—I won’t judge).
Yields: 4 servings
Prep Time: 5 mins
Total Time: 10 mins
extra-virgin olive oil
red wine vinegar
Kosher salt
cubed seedless watermelon
chopped cucumber
crumbled feta (about 6 oz.)
coarsely chopped mint, plus more for serving
thinly sliced red onion
Flaky sea salt (optional)
The first step in making this salad is to create the dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together all of the ingredients. Alternatively, you can add all of your dressing ingredients into a mason jar and shake until combined. I recommend tasting before adding any more salt, and adjusting as needed.
After chopping your watermelon, cucumber, mint, and red onion, add them all into the bowl you want to serve your salad in. You can add the crumbled feta now, or wait until it's fully mixed and dressed if you want to keep it on top. Personally, I can't get enough of feta, so I like to add some now and before I serve.
Once you’ve got all your ingredients in the bowl, it’s time to add your dressing. Add it to your salad, and toss everything together to combine. I recommend adding a bit of dressing at a time, and adjusting for how dressed you like your salad.
To complete your salad, I recommend adding more fresh mint on top, and a few more crumbles of feta if you love the tangy bite. If you want even more salt, add on a sprinkle of flaky sea salt for the final finishing touch.
I recommend only serving this salad right when you're ready to eat it for the freshest possible flavor. This salad (especially the mint) can turn soggy if it sits with the dressing, and it's quick to prepare, so it's worth only making it before you're ready to serve. That being said, you can get ahead by prepping your dressing and cutting your watermelon up to 3 days ahead of time.
With the sweet and salty balance, this easy summer side goes perfectly along with grilled chicken, salmon, grilled steak, or even a burger—beef, chicken, or veggie! If you want to add this to the potluck, I highly recommend serving this alongside some grilled veggies and your favorite summer salad, whether that's a potato salad or pasta salad.
Let us know how it went in the comments below!
2024-06-26T16:27:25Z dg43tfdfdgfd