Description
This Watermelon Feta Salad with Mint is a refreshing and flavorful summer side dish that perfectly balances sweet, salty, and tangy flavors. With juicy watermelon, creamy feta cheese, aromatic mint, and a tangy balsamic glaze, this salad is easy to prepare and ideal for warm weather meals.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 4 cups watermelon, cubed (seedless, if possible)
- 1 cup feta cheese, crumbled or cubed
- 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves, chopped
- 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced (optional, for extra crunch and flavor)
Dressing Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional, for added richness)
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey (or maple syrup for a vegan version)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Watermelon: Cut the watermelon into small, bite-sized cubes and place them in a large salad bowl, forming the base of the salad.
- Add Cheese and Mint: Crumble or cube the feta cheese and add it on top of the watermelon. Chop the fresh mint leaves and sprinkle over the salad. Add sliced red onion if using for extra texture and flavor.
- Make Balsamic Glaze: Combine balsamic vinegar and honey in a small saucepan. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally until it thickens to a syrup-like consistency, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and let it cool before using.
- Toss the Salad: Gently toss the watermelon, feta, mint, and onion together to combine all the ingredients well. Drizzle the cooled balsamic glaze over the salad, then toss again lightly to coat everything evenly.
- Serve or Chill: Serve the salad immediately for fresh flavors or chill it for 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld and the salad to cool.
Notes
- For a vegan version, replace feta cheese with a plant-based cheese alternative and use maple syrup instead of honey for the glaze.
- The red onion is optional but adds a nice crunch and sharpness if you like more texture.
- Chilling the salad for 30 minutes enhances the flavor but it can also be served immediately for a fresher, crisp texture.
- Using seedless watermelon makes eating easier and improves the salad experience.
- You can add a tablespoon of olive oil to the salad for added richness and smoothness.
