Summer Watermelon and Feta Salad

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A tantalizing combination of sweet and salty flavors makes this simple Summer Watermelon and Feta Salad a true classic. Nothing could be easier to make. Or quite so delicious!

Watermelon And Feta – Everybody’s Favorite Summer Salad

Chances are good that you already know about Summer Watermelon and Feta Salad, and have had a chance to enjoy this delectable summertime favorite personally. 

If so, I’m mostly here to remind you of a good thing. With so many great new recipes out there, the tried-and-true classics can sometimes fall off our radar. So, if you haven’t made it recently, it’s probably time to rectify that. And if you’ve never had Summer Watermelon and Feta Salad before, you’re in for a treat.

Because there’s a reason is everybody’s favorite summertime salad!

Kids love this salad because the watermelon is sweet and juicy, and the feta cheese adds just a little bit of a salty taste without being overwhelming. They also love how pretty the fresh green mint leaves and bits of white feta look with the bright red watermelon. And adults? Adults love it for all the same reasons.

But do you know who loves Summer Watermelon and Feta Salad more than anybody else?

Cooks.

Because the fact that a recipe can taste this good yet be so simple to make is just a teeny bit miraculous.

Let’s Talk Ingredients

When a recipe has only six ingredients, you want to make sure they’re all top-notch. 

The watermelon is the star of the show here, so you want to find a melon that is ripe, juicy, and sweet. But how do you do that?

My search for a good watermelon always starts with my ears. I give the melon a good knock or thump it by flicking my finger against the skin. A hollow, slightly reverberating sound indicates a ripe watermelon; if I can find a slightly hollow-sounding melon with a couple of dry spots or veining on the skin, even better.

But there are several other factors that can tip you off when it comes to picking a good melon. This article from Realsimple will help you become an expert.

There are plenty of good brands of feta cheese out there, so whatever your market has available should work. Feta that comes crumbled can sometimes break down so much that it’s more like sand than cheese. Make sure that you’re using nice-sized chunks of cheese that you’ll be able to taste.

I like to add fresh mint to my salad but you could also use fresh basil if you prefer. In either case, make sure the leaves are bright green, with no shriveled or yellowing spots.

A Simple Dressing for My Summer Watermelon and Feta Salad

The dressing couldn’t be simpler. It’s just olive oil, lime juice, and honey.

Use freshly squeezed lime juice if at all possible – it really does make a difference.  If the watermelon you picked turns out to be not quite as sweet as you’d hoped, you can use a little extra honey. I like to add a dash of kosher salt and pepper, but that’s optional. The feta is fairly salty, so if you do put in some salt, make sure it is only a dash.

One other note, Summer Watermelon and Feta Salad is best eaten on the day it’s made. But that shouldn’t be a problem. This salad is so good you won’t have to worry about leftovers.