Cool, Refreshing Watermelon Salad

Cool, refreshing watermelon salad
Stuart West / Getty Images
Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 15 mins
Servings: 6 servings

The watermelon salad is one of the most refreshing summertime treats. The cool, crisp, sweetness of the watermelon pairs beautifully with fresh mint and tangy feta cheese. But what then?

Well, on one hand, maybe that's it. Some baby greens and a drizzle of balsamic vinaigrette might be all you need. You could even add Nicoise or kalamata olives. In fact, you may well discover that your watermelon salad has become another kind of salad altogether. Like a Greek salad with watermelon.

One thing we know for sure is that some thinly sliced red onion is going to add a welcome piquancy to the salad. But you know what? You could substitute thinly sliced fennel for the onion and get a different but also completely wonderful result.

One suggestion we will make, however, is that you not add any other fruit. We know, we know, tomatoes are a "fruit," and so are olives. But what we mean is, don't go adding grapes or berries or some other kind of melon. You're straying into fruit salad territory there, which is a completely different animal.

If you can and there's room in your fridge, it helps to start with a chilled watermelon.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 medium watermelon

  • 1/2 cup coarsely chopped fresh mint leaves

  • 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese

  • 1/4 medium red onion, very thinly sliced

  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

  • 2 ounces baby greens of choice

Steps to Make It

  1. In a glass bowl, combine the olive oil and balsamic vinegar and whisk until combined.

  2. Slice the watermelon and remove the rind, trimming away the pale flesh adjacent to the rind, leaving only the sweet, bright red flesh.

  3. Cut the watermelon into large dice, or approximately 3/4-inch cubes.

  4. In a large bowl, combine the watermelon, onion, and any other ingredients (tomatoes, cucumbers, olives) you have decided to use, along with the mint and baby greens.

  5. Drizzle the salad with the vinaigrette and gently toss so that everything is evenly coated. Serve right away on chilled plates.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
84 Calories
8g Fat
2g Carbs
1g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6
Amount per serving
Calories 84
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 8g 10%
Saturated Fat 2g 9%
Cholesterol 6mg 2%
Sodium 62mg 3%
Total Carbohydrate 2g 1%
Dietary Fiber 0g 1%
Total Sugars 1g
Protein 1g
Vitamin C 2mg 12%
Calcium 41mg 3%
Iron 0mg 2%
Potassium 53mg 1%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)