Skinny Watermelon Feta Salad

Skinny Watermelon Salad with Feta is the perfect potluck dish for summer barbecues and parties. It's bursting with refreshing, juicy watermelon, fresh lime juice, and salty feta cheese with a hint of fresh mint. {gluten free}

If you're looking for the perfect dish to cool you down and fill you up on a hot summer day, this chilled watermelon salad with feta absolutely must be on your menu. It couldn't be easier with just a handful of fresh ingredients, but it has the perfect balance of sweet and salty.

Cool watermelon is the star of the show: it's fresh, hydrating, and the perfect vehicle for salty feta, lime juice, and fresh mint. The salty feta draws out the natural sweetness in the watermelon and may taste familiar if you grew up eating watermelon sprinkled with salt. The fresh, thinly sliced mint refreshes the whole palate and enhances the flavor of the other ingredients. So simple, yet the perfect addition to any summer meal!

Ingredients in Skinny Watermelon Salad

Watermelon: Choose a seedless watermelon for easy eating. Dice them into 1-inch cubes.

Greek feta cheese: Fat-free feta makes this recipe guilt-free. Choose dairy-free feta for a vegan salad.

Extra virgin olive oil: A little oil will help make this watermelon salad recipe more filling and will give the feta and mint something to hold onto. I like to buy mine at Costco.

Lime: You'll need the juice of half a lime.

Fresh mint: Julienne (thinly sliced) fresh mint to sprinkle over this salad.

How To Make Skinny Watermelon Salad

1. Add watermelon cubes and crumbled feta to the bowl.
2. Put olive oil and lime juice in a small bowl and whisk well.
3. Pour lime juice mixture over the salad and top with mint. Toss gently. This needs to be made right before serving. It doesn't sit well in the fridge because the watermelon lets off a lot of water.  

Substitutions and Variations

• To make this watermelon salad vegan, substitute dairy-free feta cheese crumbles.
• Add a few snips of fresh basil from the garden. Basil pairs perfectly with the fresh mint leaves in this recipe.
• If you're in a rush, you can often find pre-cut watermelon cubes at grocery stores.
• If you love watermelon also try this Watermelon Fruit Salad.

Helpful Tips

• Always wash melons before cutting to avoid introducing germs and bacteria onto the cut pieces.
• Use herb scissors to make the cutest little cuts of fresh herbs. For whatever reason, the herbs don't brown! They're great and can be used for a variety of herbs.
• For an extra fancy watermelon salad, use a melon baller to scoop your sweet watermelon into perfect little spheres.

Leftovers and Storage

This watermelon salad recipe does not store well after being assembled. If you want to make this before a big summer BBQ, cube your watermelon and store it in the fridge in a large salad bowl a day or two before your event. Then, before serving, assemble the sauce and add the creamy feta cheese crumbles and sliced herbs.

FAQ

What kind of cheese goes with watermelon?

Although it may seem like an unusual flavor combination, watermelon pairs very well with feta. Tangy feta cheese adds saltiness to watermelon, which brings out its natural sweetness. Salt and watermelon are a classic combination, and watermelon and feta pair perfectly in this classic watermelon salad. Other salty cheeses, like goat cheese, are a good choice, too.

Can you freeze watermelon salad?

Unfortunately, watermelon should not be frozen. Since watermelon is so high in moisture, it will freeze. However, when it thaws, it becomes a mushy mess. It's best to only use fresh watermelon for this recipe and to enjoy the leftovers instead of freezing them.

Serving Suggestions

This Skinny Watermelon Feta Salad tastes great when paired with grilled chicken, black bean burgers, or barbecue pork. Pair it with delicious summer salads, like my Greek Pasta Salad or Chickpea Salad, to keep it light on those hot summer nights. Add some Oven Roasted Corn and Cherry Margaritas, and you've got the perfect Memorial Day menu ready.

Skinny Watermelon Feta Salad

Skinny Watermelon Feta Salad is the perfect side dish for summer holiday cookouts and block parties.  It's totally fresh and packed with minty flavor.  {gluten free, keto}

5 from 7 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Salad

Cuisine: American

Diet: Gluten Free

Keyword: watermelon feta salad

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes minutes

Servings: 4

Calories: 156kcal

Ingredients

• 4 cups cubed seeded watermelon
• ½ cup fat free feta cheese
• 2 tablespoon olive oil
• ½ lime juiced
• ¼ cup julienned mint

Instructions

• Add first two ingredients to bowl.
• Put olive oil and lime juice in a small bowl and whisk well.
• Pour over salad and top with mint.  Toss gently.  This needs to be made right before serving.  It doesn't sit well in fridge bc the watermelon lets off a lot of water.  

Notes

Watermelon does not keep well after it is cut and tends to get watery.  I would make this right before serving. 

Nutrition

Calories: 156kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 16mg | Sodium: 210mg | Potassium: 181mg | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 945IU | Vitamin C: 12.3mg | Calcium: 103mg | Iron: 0.5mg

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