Watermelon Feta Salad with Basil and Cucumber

Your Refreshing Summer Fix - Easy Watermelon Feta Salad Recipe with Basil and Cucumber

This easy and refreshing Watermelon Feta Salad is the perfect combination of sweet watermelon pieces with salty feta cheese, super crunchy cucumbers, and fresh basil leaves.

Ready in just 10 minutes, this is the perfect summer salad for BBQs, picnics, or summer parties.

Jump to:

• Choosing the Perfect Watermelon
• Ingredients You'll Need
• How to Make Watermelon Feta Cucumber Salad?
• Top Tips From the Chef
• Recipe Variations
• What to Serve with Watermelon Feta Salad?
• Recipe FAQs
• Related Recipes
• Watermelon Feta Salad with Basil and Cucumber

Having grown up in Turkey, feta cheese and watermelon were a summer staple in our household – whether enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or an afternoon snack.

Watermelon and feta are unexpectedly a match made in heaven, blending the sweetness of the fruit with the tanginess of the salty cheese. The addition of refreshing and crisp cucumber transforms it into a colorful and refreshing summer salad.

Balsamic vinegar adds a subtle tang and an extra layer of flavor, while the basil infuses the dish with its refreshing taste.

Choosing the Perfect Watermelon

• Choose a watermelon with a uniform, symmetrical shape. Irregular bumps or indentations might be signs of uneven ripening.

• Look for a creamy, yellow, or orange "field spot" on one side of the watermelon. This is where the fruit rested on the ground and ripened in the sun. A deep-colored spot indicates ripeness.

• The rind should have a dull, matte appearance rather than being overly shiny. A shiny rind might mean the watermelon is underripe.

• Gently tap the watermelon. A ripe one will produce a deep, hollow sound. If the sound is dull or flat, it might be overripe or underripe.

• A ripe watermelon feels heavy for its size. Lift a few watermelons and choose the one that feels the heaviest.

• If there's a stem, it should be dry and brown, not green. A green stem can indicate that the watermelon was picked too early.

• Choose a fresh watermelon that suits your needs. If you're looking for a snack, a smaller one might be better, while larger ones are great for gatherings.

Ingredients You'll Need

Please scroll down to the recipe card below for the full ingredients list with measurements, complete recipe method, recipe notes, and nutritional information.

• Watermelon - The flavor and quality of your watermelon will shape your salad's taste. Use the above guidelines to select a good watermelon.

• Feta - One of the main ingredients is feta cheese, so try to use a good-quality one, preferably made with sheep's milk. Opt for a block with a creamy texture that's been refrigerated in brine. Avoid crumbled feta, which tends to be overly salty and dry.

• Cucumber - For maximum flavor and crunch, I prefer small Turkish or Persian cucumbers. They are more flavorful and less watery than the regular, long varieties. You can substitute them with English cucumbers.

• Olive oil - Extra virgin olive oil is the best option for salad dressings.

• Basil and mint - The combination of fresh mint and basil provides a sweet, fresh, and slight anise-like flavor to the dish.

• Lime - Always use freshly squeezed lime juice for salads and dressings to ensure the best flavor.

• Honey - I use organic farm, honey, just enough to add an extra touch of sweetness to the salad.

How to Make Watermelon Feta Cucumber Salad?

This watermelon and feta salad recipe is extremely easy to make and to achieve the best results, you need to follow a few simple steps:

Prepare the Dressing

In a small bowl, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, lime juice, and a pinch of salt until well combined.

Set it aside and proceed to prepare the salad ingredients.

Prepare Salad Ingredients

Peel the watermelon, cut it into small cubes or triangles, and place them in a large bowl.

Alternatively, you can use a melon baller to scoop out small balls of watermelon.

Wash the cucumber, and then decide whether to peel it (or leave the peel on). Cut it in half lengthwise before slicing.

Wash, dry, and finely chop the herbs. Cut the feta cheese into small cubes or simply crumble it into the salad.

Assemble the Salad

Place the watermelon, sliced cucumbers, feta cheese, and chopped herbs in a large bowl. Drizzle the dressing over the watermelon, cucumber, and feta mixture.

Gently toss the ingredients in the bowl to evenly coat them with the dressing.

Taste and adjust the seasoning with additional salt if needed. Refrigerate the salad for 30 minutes before serving.

Top Tips From the Chef

• For an even more refreshing experience, and a delicious watermelon salad, refrigerate the watermelon and cucumber before assembling.

• One of the main ingredients is feta cheese, so try to use a good-quality one, preferably made with sheep's milk. Avoid crumbled feta, which tends to be overly salty and dry.

• If possible, opt for seedless watermelon to save time while preparing.

• Taste the dressing as you mix it. Adjust honey and lime juice quantities to find the perfect balance of sweetness and tanginess

• Chop the fresh leaves at the last minute, just before adding them to your salad, as they tend to turn brown if your knife isn't extremely sharp.

Recipe Variations

• Add Kalamata olives and red onion slices for a Mediterranean flair. Toss with a lemon-oregano dressing.

• Incorporate chopped pistachios or candied pecans for a delightful crunch.

• Include diced avocado for a creamy texture and buttery flavor contrast. A lime-cilantro dressing complements it well.

• Swap basil for other herbs like cilantro or dill to experiment with different flavor profiles.

• Drizzle balsamic reduction just before serving your salad for a tangy-sweet glaze to enhance the flavor.

What to Serve with Watermelon Feta Salad?

Watermelon Feta Salad pairs wonderfully with a variety of dishes.

Serve it along with some seafood dishes such as Mediterranean Baked Salmon, Air Fryer Crab Cakes, and Baked Sea Bass In Foil - Firinda Levrek.

Enjoy with Salmon and Spinach Quiche, Hashweh - Lebanese Ground Beef and Rice, or Kaygana (Turkish Omelette) for brunch or light lunch.

Pack the salad for a picnic along with sandwiches, wraps, or Cheese Borek - Peynirli Borek. It's a great addition to a spread of finger foods. Complement your barbecue spread with the salad.

It's a refreshing complement to hearty grilled meats such as Joojeh Kabab (Persian Chicken Kebab), Adana Kebab (Adana Kofte), and Lamb Shish Kebab.

Recipe FAQs

Related Recipes

For more delicious recipes you can make with feta cheese why not try:

Did you make this recipe? Please let me know how it turned out! Leave a comment below and tag @cookingorgeous on Instagram and hashtag it #cookingorgeous.

I hope you enjoy the process of making this sweet and refreshing Watermelon Feta Salad with Basil and Cucumber recipe as much as you enjoy eating it! 🙂 

Bon appétit! / Afiyet olsun!

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