Feta Cheese Watermelon Salad

This Feta Cheese Watermelon Salad has sweet watermelon, salty feta, and crisp cucumber, a mix that sounds strange but somehow works. Add fresh basil and a tangy honey-lime dressing, and you get a salad that tastes like nothing else on the table.

It comes together in one bowl in under 10 minutes, with no cooking and no oven required. And unlike a green salad that wilts the moment it hits a hot patio, this one holds up for hours, so it's the one dish you can set out early and forget about.

Jump to:

• Why This Recipe Works
• Choosing the Perfect Watermelon
• Ingredients You'll Need
• How to Make Watermelon Feta Cucumber Salad
• Recipe Tips From the Chef
• Recipe Variations
• What to Serve with Watermelon Feta Salad?
• Storage Instructions
• Recipe FAQs
• Related Recipes
• Feta Cheese Watermelon Salad

Why This Recipe Works

• Sweet meets salty: juicy watermelon and briny feta are the kind of contrast that makes people ask for the recipe.

• No cooking required: everything comes together in one bowl, ready in 10 minutes flat.

• Holds up in the heat: watermelon and cucumber stay crisp for hours, so they won't wilt like a lettuce-based salad left out at a party.

• Endlessly adjustable: swap mint for basil, add red onion, or finish with a balsamic glaze to make it your own.
• Naturally hydrating: watermelon is over 90% water, so this salad is light and refreshing without weighing you down on a hot day.

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, it's tangier and creamier than cow's milk versions. Opt for a block stored in brine and cut it into cubes yourself, pre-crumbled feta is drier and often saltier, and it won't hold its shape in the salad.

• 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. English cucumber works too, its skin is thin enough to leave on and the seeds are small enough that you don't need to remove them, just slice and go.

• 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. Use fresh herbs only, dried versions won't give the same bright flavor. No mint on hand? Basil alone works fine, or swap in cilantro for a different twist.

• Lime - Always use freshly squeezed lime juice for salads and dressings, it makes a real difference in 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

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.

Recipe 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.

• Just like when making Fresh Watermelon Vodka Cocktail, 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

• Slice the basil into thin ribbons instead of chopping or tearing it: stack the leaves, roll them up tightly, then slice crosswise. Do this at the last minute, just before adding it to the salad, since torn or early-cut basil bruises and turns brown fast.

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 Baked Salmon, Shrimp Saganaki, and Baked Sea Bass in Foil - Firinda Levrek.

Enjoy this salad 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, and Lamb Shish Kebab.

Storage Instructions

This salad is best the day it's made. Watermelon releases juice as it sits, and the basil starts to darken, so it won't look quite as fresh the next day.

If you do have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Drain off any liquid that collects at the bottom before serving again.

To get ahead, prep the watermelon, cucumber, feta, and herbs separately up to 2 days in advance, then toss everything together with the dressing just before serving.

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! 🙂