Simple Watermelon Feta Salad with Mint and Basil

Close-up of a Watermelon Feta Salad with feta cheese cubes, sliced red onions, fresh mint leaves, basil, chopped herbs, and ground black pepper.

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Simple Watermelon Feta Salad with Mint and Basil

A simple, stunning summer salad with juicy watermelon, salty feta, sharp red onion, fresh mint and basil, and a drizzle of olive oil. Ready in 10 minutes with zero cooking.

Prep Time10

Course: Appetizer, Main Dish, Side Dish

Cuisine: American, Greek, Mediterranean

Diet: Gluten Free, Low Calorie, Vegetarian

Keyword: healthy, quick, salad, summer

Servings: people

Author: Courtney ODell

Cost: 15

Ingredients

6 cups watermelon cubed or balled (about half a medium seedless watermelon)
4 oz block feta cheese crumbled (about 1 cup crumbled)
¼ medium red onion very thinly sliced
¼ cup fresh mint leaves torn
¼ cup fresh basil leaves torn
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
¼ teaspoon flaky sea salt or to taste
Freshly cracked black pepper to taste

Instructions

Cut watermelon into 1-inch cubes or use a melon baller. Pat dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
Slice red onion paper-thin. If desired, soak slices in cold water for 10 minutes to mellow the flavor, then drain and pat dry.
Arrange watermelon on a large platter or wide shallow bowl. Scatter red onion over the top.
Crumble feta generously over the watermelon and onion.
Tear mint and basil leaves and scatter across the salad.
Drizzle with olive oil. Season with flaky salt and freshly cracked black pepper.
Serve immediately for best results.

Video

Notes

Make ahead: Cut watermelon and onion up to 24 hours ahead and store separately in the fridge. Combine with herbs, feta, olive oil, salt, and pepper right before serving.

Variations: add thinly sliced Persian cucumber for crunch; add a squeeze of lime for brightness; add a pinch of Aleppo pepper for gentle heat.

Feta tip: block feta packed in brine is creamier and less salty than pre-crumbled - highly recommended.

Fresh herbs only - dried mint and basil will taste flat here.

Nutrition

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