Fresh Watermelon Feta Salad with Mint and Balsamic
A refreshing and easy-to-make summer salad combining juicy watermelon, creamy feta, fresh mint, and a tangy balsamic reduction dressing. Perfect for quick lunches or gatherings.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 minutes
- Total Time: 17 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups watermelon, cubed into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup (optional)
- Pinch of sea salt
- Freshly ground black pepper, a few cracks
Instructions
- Cut about 4 cups of watermelon into 1-inch cubes. Drain any excess juice if very ripe to avoid watery salad.
- Rinse fresh mint leaves, pat dry, and finely chop about 1/4 cup.
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, pour 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar and simmer gently for about 5 minutes until reduced by half and syrupy. Remove from heat and whisk in 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil and 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup. Alternatively, whisk these ingredients together cold if not reducing.
- In a medium mixing bowl, gently toss the watermelon cubes with crumbled feta, chopped mint, a pinch of sea salt, and freshly ground black pepper.
- Drizzle the balsamic vinaigrette evenly over the salad and toss gently to coat without breaking the watermelon chunks. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Transfer to a serving dish. Optionally garnish with extra mint leaves or toasted pine nuts. Serve immediately or chill for up to an hour to let flavors meld.
Notes
Do not overdress the salad to avoid overpowering the delicate watermelon. Keep the salad chilled but not too cold to soften feta and enhance mint aroma. Drain excess watermelon juice if very ripe to prevent watery texture. Fresh mint is essential for best flavor. Balsamic vinegar can be used directly or reduced to a glaze for richer flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1 cup per serv
- Calories: 120
- Fat: 5
- Carbohydrates: 10
- Protein: 4
Keywords: watermelon salad, feta salad, summer salad, mint salad, balsamic dressing, easy salad, healthy side dish