Watermelon salad is one of my favourite easy recipes in summer.
Watermelon salad is a really simple recipe. It’s so simple that I often made it while traveling when I encountered others in hostels, backpacking through South America.
In the usual potluck style there’s always lots of pasta and rice dishes in it because backpackers survive off simple and cheap food and watermelon salad was always a welcomed surprise.
ALSO READ: Pack This. Not That. What to Pack for South America
Watermelon salad feels like a luxury on the road because it’s something you’d have at a garden party, I guess if you had a garden. B
ut in many Latin countries watermelon is so easy to find and it’s really cheap.
It’s true that feta may be harder to find but any salty fresh cheese works, just head to the market and you’ll usually find vendors who’ve made cheese fresh that morning.
The key is to have cheese that is salty and crumbly to counteract the sweetness of the watermelon.
Watermelon Salad Recipe
This is a really versatile recipe. If you can’t find mint but basil is available feel free to use that.
I’ve also seen tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, red onion, arugula and different nuts added to the salad.
I don’t think it needs a formal salad dressing but some people use a balsamic vinaigrette or reduction.
If you have beets the same ingredients also work so well in this raw beet salad.
If you wanted to serve this as an appetizer at a barbecue I think it would be great to change it from a watermelon salad to watermelon chunks with crumbled feta overtop.
People will be amazed by its simplicity.
Based on the spicy tropical fruit combinations I ate in Mexico I think this could also work with mango and pineapple.
Watermelon Feta Mint Salad
The easiest watermelon you'll ever make.
Ingredients
- 1 watermelon
- 1 bunch mint
- 1 cup feta or other salty cheese
- 1 lime
- 1 tsp cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Cut the watermelon into bite size pieces.
- Tear the leaves from the mint. Set aside.
- Crumble the feta over the watermelon.
- Juice the lime and toss over watermelon and feta.
- Sprinkle cayenne pepper and put in fridge for one hour. Right before serving add mint.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1 Amount Per Serving: Calories: 105Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 27mgSodium: 261mgCarbohydrates: 6gFiber: 1gSugar: 4gProtein: 5gNutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although BaconisMagic.ca attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
If you make a version of watermelon salad I’d love to hear what you put in it.
It’s an interesting mix! I never thought of mixing watermelon with cheese! I have to try this one…
That looks so good! I’ll save this recipe for next summer.
I’ve made this lots of times–if you like blue cheese, you can substitute for the feta–amazing. (oh, and I leave out the citrus, but that’s just me).
I lov feta and I love watermelon. If I put the two together I might just explode!
I’m going to try this sometime. Thanks for sharing.
I’m not a fan of feta, but I would be willing to try this! Looks yummy!!
You don’t like feta?!?! we might not ever be able to be friends…. hahaha 😉
I didn’t think anyone disliked feta. lol.
I do a similar salad…it’s watermelon, feta, cilantro, thinly sliced red onion, and a splash of red wine vinegar. Delicious!
Sounds yummy and cheap!!
I’ll have to give this one a try 🙂
Yummmy! I’m about to be a full time backpacker so this will come in handy!!
Really? Where are you going?
Love watermelon salad! Love the watermelon grilled over arugula, too!!!
I love cheese, and I LOVE watermelon. I’ve never combined the two but I’m gonna try it now! Now, if I could just find some feta cheese in Brazil.
Been browsing your site and really enjoying it. Looking forward to reading more to come.
Ahh yes the neverending quest for good cheese in Latin America, I feel your pain.
Mmmmmmm, yum! 😀
Wow, lots of yummy-looking but unexpected items in this. The feta, mint, and lime look really good. I’m not as sure about the cayenne, but I’ll give it a try. Nice photo– just shared this recipe on Pinterest.
Just brought home watermelon, I’m making your salad this weekend!
I love a watermleon and Feta cheese salad. We have it every BBQ and its perfect for taking to bbq’s. it’s not much chance of someone doubling up.