Sweet, juicy watermelon, salty feta cheese, and fresh mint come together in this easy Watermelon Feta Mint Salad. With just a handful of ingredients and no cooking required, it's the kind of simple summer side dish that practically screams summertime.
When the temperatures climb, I'm always looking for recipes that don't heat up the kitchen. This refreshing watermelon salad is perfect for backyard cookouts, family gatherings, potlucks, or a simple weeknight dinner on the patio.
If you've never paired watermelon and feta together, don't let it sound strange. The sweet watermelon and salty flavors of feta cheese balance each other beautifully, while fresh mint adds a bright flavor that makes every bite taste like summer.
Growing up, watermelon was a summertime event.
On hot evenings, the neighbors would set a whole watermelon on a picnic table and slice it into giant wedges for everyone to enjoy. There were no neat little cubes or seedless varieties at those gatherings—at least not where I grew up. We'd sit outside with sticky fingers and watermelon juice running down our chins while the kids competed to see who could spit watermelon seeds the farthest.
We were classy like that.
This Watermelon Feta Mint Salad feels like a grown-up version of those summer memories. It still has all the sweet, juicy flavor I remember, but paired with salty feta cheese and fresh mint, it's perfect for cookouts, potlucks, and backyard dinners.
Pick This Recipe If:
- You need an easy summer side dish made with just a few simple ingredients.
- You're bringing something to a cookout or potluck.
- You have extra watermelon to use up.
- It's too hot to turn on the oven.
- You want a fresh, colorful addition to your dinner table.
- You love sweet and salty flavor combinations.
Looking for more refreshing summer side dishes? Pair this watermelon salad with my Summer Corn Salad for a colorful combination that's perfect for cookouts, potlucks, and backyard barbecues.
Ingredients
- Watermelon: Seedless watermelon works best for this recipe. Look for a ripe watermelon that's heavy for its size and has a creamy yellow field spot.
- Feta Cheese: Block feta packed in brine offers the best flavor and texture, but pre-crumbled feta works perfectly well for convenience. Either way, crumbled feta adds the perfect salty contrast to the sweet watermelon.
- Fresh mint: This herb gives this salad its signature bright, refreshing flavor.
- Lime juice: A squeeze of fresh lime juice enhances the sweetness of the watermelon and ties everything together.
How to Pick a Good and Sweet Watermelon
A good watermelon makes all the difference in this recipe. Look for:
- A watermelon that feels heavy for its size and sounds hollow when tapped. Try tapping a watermelon at the grocery store and see if anyone else starts doing it too. 😄
- A creamy yellow field spot. This shows that it was allowed to ripen on the vine in the field.
- A dull rind rather than a shiny one.
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How to Make Watermelon Feta Mint Salad
- Add the cubed watermelon to a large serving bowl.
- Sprinkle the feta cheese and chopped mint over the top. Drizzle with fresh lime juice.
Gently toss to combine and serve immediately.
Farm Girl Tips
- Chill the watermelon before making the salad for the most refreshing flavor.
- Use fresh lime juice whenever possible.
- Add the feta just before serving for the best texture.
- This salad is best enjoyed the day it's made.
Variations
Add cucumber: Diced cucumber adds a cool crunch and makes the salad even more refreshing.
Add red onion: Sounds weird; tastes great! Thinly sliced red onion adds a little bite and complements the sweetness of the watermelon.
Try using fresh basil: Swap the mint for fresh basil for a different twist on this summer favorite.
Serving Suggestions
Serve alongside grilled chicken thighs, burgers, pork chops, or barbecue chicken.
This salad pairs especially well with my Grilled Chicken Thighs. The sweet watermelon and salty feta are a refreshing contrast to smoky grilled chicken.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can cube the watermelon and chop the mint a few hours ahead, but wait to assemble the salad until shortly before serving. Watermelon releases liquid as it sits.
Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one day, though the watermelon will soften and release juice over time.
This salad pairs well with grilled meats, burgers, barbecue favorites, sandwiches, and picnic meals.
Planning a cookout? Be sure to browse my collection of Easy BBQ Side Dishes for more family-friendly recipes that pair perfectly with burgers, grilled chicken, and all your summer favorites.
More Summer Side Dishes
If your summer menu can never have too many fresh side dishes (same here!), here are a few more favorites to add to your cookout rotation:
- Summer Corn Salad
- Green Bean Potato Salad
- Marinated Cucumbers and Onions
- Broccoli Salad with Cranberries
Recipe
Watermelon Feta Mint Salad
Ingredients
Method
- Add the cubed watermelon to a large serving bowl.
- Sprinkle the feta cheese and chopped mint over the watermelon.Drizzle with lime juice.
- Gently toss to combine & serve.
Farm Girl Tips
- Chill the watermelon before assembling the salad.
- Assemble shortly before serving for the freshest texture.
- Fresh basil can be substituted for the mint.
- Add diced cucumber or thinly sliced red onion for variation.
