The best watermelon feta mint salad ever! Juicy watermelon, tangy feta cheese, and mint come together in a perfect side dish.
This is a healthy summer dish for all occasions. Easy to make, with a dairy free option, this will be your go to recipe!
This post was originally published on June 10, 2021.
This summer salad is so refreshing and delicious. It has wholesome ingredients that blend together to make the perfect combo! We love taking it to get togethers with other vegan picnic recipes.
Ingredients
It's a little sweet, little salty, a little zesty, and a little spicy! Such a great balance of flavors for hot Summer days. Whether it's been a long hot day outside and you're looking for a simple and cool dinner, or you're headed off to a potluck and want something fresh to bring, this salad is what you need!
The following are the fresh and flavorful ingredients you need to make this mint and watermelon salad:
- Watermelon
- Cucumber
- Vegan feta
- Mint leaves
- Red onion
- Jalapeño pepper
- Arugula
- Dressing
How to Make Watermelon Salad
This recipe for watermelon salad with feta is simple to make in no time! Here are the easy steps:
- Place all salad ingredients into a bowl.
- Mix to combine and serve!
How to Make the Salad Dressing
The dressing adds a nice hint of taste to this watermelon and feta salad with mint. If you like lots of dressing, double the recipe. The current amount is just enough to coat for flavor. Here's what you need to make it:
- Lime juice
- Olive oil
- Maple syrup
- Salt (Optional)
- Pinch chipotle powder (Optional, leave out for no spice)
Simply mix all of the ingredients together, voilà!
Tips for Cutting Watermelon
You can totally buy pre-cut watermelon, but that gets expensive! Cutting the whole fruit can seem intimidating but I promise it's not hard!
- Use a sharp knife to cut off both ends of the melon.
- Set the watermelon on a cutting board with one flat (cut) side down.
- Place the knife where the white rind meets the pink flesh and slide the knife down the length of the melon, staying as close to the rind as possible.
- Repeat until all of the rind is gone.
- From here you can cube or slice the watermelon with ease!
What to Serve With Mint Watermelon Salad
Summertime means cookouts, potlucks, and simply hot evenings at home. No matter the occasion, this Summer salad goes well served with any of these recipes:
Preparation Tips
- Adjust the heat level by using more or less jalapeño.
- Omit it completely for zero spice.
- The arugula is optional but adds a great peppery flavor, plus nutrition! Add just before serving to avoid it getting soggy.
- You can make this watermelon salad recipe without feta, with vegan feta, or with regular feta.
Make Ahead and Storage Tips
- Prep this ahead of time:
- Cut the watermelon, cucumber, onion, and jalapeño.
- Also, make up the dressing and homemade feta in advance.
- Store each of the salad components separately.
- Once ready to serve, just toss everything together!
- As watermelon and cucumber sit they continue to release moisture. So, the longer it sits the more watery your salad will be.
- Try to serve within an hour of mixing.
- Leftover watermelon feta and mint salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days.
- Remember though, it will become less crisp and more watery as time goes on.
Common Questions
Anything! Serve with your favorite grilled foods, or other cold salads like pasta salad, potato salad, or corn salad.
In this salad with watermelon and mint, the best cheese is feta for its salty taste and soft but firm texture. Thinly sliced Parmesan is another popular option.
Yes you can, although it's best to serve within an hour of mixing. Instead, prepare all of the ingredients and dressing in advance, store separately, then mix just before serving for best results.
More Salad Recipes
When it comes to the hot Summertime heat, there's nothing like a cool salad!
Watermelon Feta Mint Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 ½ cup cubed watermelon
- 1 cup cubed cucumber
- ½ cup vegan feta
- ¼ cup sliced mint leaves
- ¼ cup chopped red onion
- 2 - 4 tablespoons chopped jalapeno pepper , seeds removed (adjust for preferred spice or remove for no spice)
- 1 - 2 cups arugula optional
Dressing:
- 4 - 5 teaspoons lime juice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil , or broth if oil free
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup
- ¼ teaspoon salt , omit for less salt since feta has salt
- Pinch chipotle powder , optional for more spice
Instructions
- Place all salad ingredients into a bowl.
- Mix all dressing ingredients to combine.
- Add dressing to the bowl and mix well.
- Serve!
Notes
- Double the dressing if you like more, the current amount is just enough to coat for flavor.
Recipe by Veggies Don’t Bite, visit our site for more great plant-based recipes.
Nutrition
Nutrition and metric information should be considered an estimate.
Sarah
This recipe is PERFECT for Summer! So refreshing. I left out the jalapeño since I can't handle spice and the flavors were still so good!
Nina - Edamommy4life
LOVED this salad! It has so many of my favorite ingredients in it and just the perfect lunch for a hot summer day! The feta was so quick and easy and I really enjoyed the texture and added flavor to the salad. I will be making this a lot this summer for sure! We always have watermelon around this time of year. Thank you!
veggiesdontbite
Yay! Thrilled you liked this one! It's a fave over here too!