Description
A refreshing and vibrant Strawberry Watermelon Salad with feta, mint, and a tangy lime dressing. The perfect summer side dish!
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 cups Watermelon, cubed (seedless preferred)
- 2 cups Strawberries, hulled and halved (or quartered if large)
- 1 medium Cucumber, peeled, seeded, and diced
- 1/4 cup Red Onion, thinly sliced (optional)
- 1/4 cup Fresh Mint, chopped
- 1/2 cup Feta Cheese, crumbled (optional)
- 2 tablespoons Lime Juice, freshly squeezed
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil, extra virgin
- 1 tablespoon Honey (or maple syrup for vegan)
- 1/4 teaspoon Salt, or to taste
- 1/8 teaspoon Black Pepper, or to taste
- Balsamic Glaze (Optional, for drizzling)
Instructions
- Prep the Watermelon: Cube the watermelon into roughly 1-inch pieces. Seedless watermelon is easiest.
- Prep the Strawberries: Hull and halve (or quarter if large) the strawberries.
- Prep the Cucumber: Peel, seed, and dice the cucumber into pieces similar in size to the watermelon and strawberries.
- Prep the Red Onion (Optional): Thinly slice the red onion. Soak in cold water for 10 minutes to mellow the flavor if desired, then drain well.
- Chop the Mint: Roughly chop the fresh mint.
- Combine the Dressing Ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together the lime juice, olive oil, honey (or maple syrup), salt, and pepper until the honey is dissolved. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
- Combine the Ingredients: In a large bowl, gently combine the cubed watermelon, halved strawberries, diced cucumber, sliced red onion (if using), and chopped mint.
- Add the Feta (Optional): Gently crumble feta cheese over the salad.
- Drizzle with Dressing: Pour the dressing over the salad and gently toss to combine.
- Chill (Optional): Chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving for best flavor.
- Serve: Serve chilled. Drizzle with balsamic glaze just before serving, if desired.
Notes
- Add other fruits: Feel free to add other fruits to the salad, such as blueberries, blackberries, or cantaloupe.
- Use different herbs: If you don’t have mint, you can use basil or cilantro instead.
- Add a spicy kick: For a spicy kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the dressing.
- Make it vegan: Omit the feta cheese and use maple syrup instead of honey.
- Grill the watermelon: For a smoky flavor, grill the watermelon slices before cubing them.
- Make it ahead: You can prepare the salad a few hours ahead of time, but I recommend adding the feta cheese and dressing just before serving to prevent the salad from getting soggy.
- Presentation: For a more elegant presentation, you can serve the salad in individual bowls or glasses. Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint or a drizzle of balsamic glaze.
- Watermelon Selection: When choosing a watermelon, look for one that is heavy for its size and has a dull rind. A yellow spot on the bottom of the watermelon indicates that it ripened in the field.
- Strawberry Selection: Choose strawberries that are bright red, firm, and have a fresh green cap. Avoid strawberries that are soft, mushy, or have mold.
- Cucumber Selection: Select cucumbers that are firm, smooth, and have a dark green color. Avoid cucumbers that are soft, wrinkled, or have yellow spots.
- Red Onion Tip: To reduce the sharpness of the red onion, soak the sliced onion in ice water for 10-15 minutes before adding it to the salad. This will help to mellow out the flavor.
- Mint Tip: To keep fresh mint from wilting, store it in the refrigerator wrapped in a damp paper towel.
- Feta Cheese Tip: If you’re using feta cheese, choose a block of feta that is packed in brine. This type of feta will have a creamier texture and a more intense flavor.
- Lime Juice Tip: Always use fresh lime juice for the best flavor. Bottled lime juice can taste artificial and bitter.
- Olive Oil Tip: Use a good quality extra virgin olive oil for the dressing. The olive oil will add a richness and depth of flavor to the salad.
- Honey Tip: If your honey is crystallized, you can gently warm it in the microwave or in a saucepan over low heat until it is liquid again.
- Salt and Pepper Tip: Season the salad to taste with salt and pepper. Start with a small amount and add more as needed.
- Balsamic Glaze Tip: Balsamic glaze is a thickened balsamic vinegar that has a sweet and tangy flavor. It is a great way to add a touch of elegance to the salad.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes