Nothing captures the essence of summer quite like this cold and refreshing Watermelon Feta Salad with Mint Vinaigrette⏤the perfect dish for warm-weather gatherings.
This Watermelon Feta Salad with Mint Vinaigrette is practically synonymous with summer at The Ivory Table Catering Company—sweet n’ salty, cold and juicy with the most refreshing minty vinaigrette. The chilled watermelon is hydrating, naturally sweet, and wonderfully cooling on a hot summer day. It is no wonder that this salad is a top favorite of our customers and staff alike.
When making this salad, I prefer to slice and arrange the juicy melon into elongated, tile-like rows ⏤ a bit different than the typical cubed and tossed version in other recipes. This unique presentation, different from the typical cubed shape, allows the fruit to easily hold onto the fresh mint vinaigrette and become wonderfully icy-cold in the refrigerator. I love to scatter the onions, crumbled feta, and mint over the arranged watermelon slices, similar to the presentation of a beautiful carpaccio plate. The “ooohs and ahhhs” have become a standard part of serving this gorgeous, show-stopping salad.
The combination of watermelon and salty cheese is not new; it has roots in Mediterranean cuisine, particularly in Greece. The Greeks have long paired watermelon with salty, briny cheeses like feta during their hot summer months. The natural sweetness of the melon and the tang of the cheese complement each other beautifully and make the perfect accompaniment to succulent grilled meats, roasted vegetables, and other fresh seasonal salads.
Watermelon and Feta Salad Ingredients
- Watermelon
- Feta Cheese
- Red Onion
- Fresh Mint
- Olive Oil
- Balsamic Vinegar
- Brown Sugar
- Stoneground Mustard
- Salt and Pepper
How to Make Watermelon Feta Salad with Mint Vinaigrette
Step 1. Prepare Mint Vinaigrette. Combine olive oil, balsamic vinegar, brown sugar, mint, stone-ground mustard, and salt and pepper in a blender. Blend until smooth and set aside.
Step 2. Assemble the Salad: Peel and slice chilled watermelon into 1/4 inch thick slices. Arrange slices onto a platter in a layered tile-like arrangement. Next, generously spoon mint vinaigrette over the watermelon. Scatter red onions and feta over the dressed watermelon. Garnish with sliced mint and serve.
What to Serve with Watermelon Feta Salad with Mint Vinaigrette
- Lamb Burgers with Feta and Basil Aioli
- Blackened Salmon Recipe
- Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad
- Grilled Meats
- Summer Salads
Watermelon Feta Salad with Mint Vinaigrette
Description
Nothing captures the essence of summer quite like this cold and refreshing Watermelon Feta Salad with Mint Vinaigrette⏤the perfect dish for warm-weather gatherings.
Ingredients
Mint Vinaigrette Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/3 cup balsamic vinaigrette
- 1/3 cup fresh mint leaves
- 1 tsp stoneground mustard
- 2 Tbsp brown sugar
- 1 Tbsp red onion chipped
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Watermelon Salad Ingredients:
- 12 cups fresh watermelon ( about 1/4 of a large melon)
- 4 oz crumbled feta
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup fresh mint, thinly sliced
Instructions
- Prepare Mint Vinaigrette. Combine olive oil, balsamic vinegar, brown sugar, mint, stone-ground mustard, and salt and pepper in a blender. Blend until smooth and set aside.
- Assemble the Salad: Peel and slice chilled watermelon into 1/4 inch thick slices. Arrange slices onto a platter in a layered tile-like arrangement. Next, generously spoon mint vinaigrette over the watermelon. Scatter red onions and feta over the dressed watermelon. Garnish with sliced mint and serve.
1 comment
Excellent as always!