Description
A refreshing watermelon salad perfect for summer, combining juicy watermelon cubes with tangy feta cheese, crisp red onion, fresh mint, and a zesty lime-balsamic dressing. This light and vibrant salad is optionally topped with toasted pine nuts for added crunch.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 4 cups Seedless Watermelon (Cut into 1-inch cubes)
- 1 cup Feta Cheese (Crumbled)
- 1/2 cup Red Onion (Thinly sliced)
- 1/4 cup Fresh Mint (Chopped)
- 1/4 cup Basil (Chopped)
- 1/4 cup Toasted Pine Nuts or Pepitas (Optional)
Dressing Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 2 tablespoons Balsamic Glaze or Balsamic Vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Lime Juice
- 1 teaspoon Sea Salt
- 1 teaspoon Black Pepper
Instructions
- Cube the Watermelon: Cut the seedless watermelon into 1-inch cubes and place them into a large bowl. Drain any excess juice to avoid a watery salad.
- Prepare the Red Onion: Thinly slice the red onion and soak it in ice water for about 10 minutes to mellow its sharp flavor. After soaking, drain well.
- Chop the Fresh Herbs: Roll the mint leaves tightly and slice thinly using chiffonade technique. Chop the basil as well and set aside.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, toss together the watermelon cubes, drained red onion, chopped mint, and basil.
- Prepare the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, balsamic glaze or vinegar, and lime juice.
- Season the Dressing: Add sea salt and black pepper to the dressing and adjust the seasoning to taste.
- Dress the Salad: Pour the dressing over the salad mixture and gently toss to coat all ingredients evenly.
- Crumble the Feta: Sprinkle the crumbled feta cheese over the top of the tossed salad.
- Garnish (Optional): For added texture and crunch, sprinkle toasted pine nuts or pepitas on top just before serving.
- Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld before serving cold.
Notes
- Soaking the red onion in ice water mellows its sharpness, making it more pleasant in the salad.
- Draining excess watermelon juice prevents the salad from becoming soggy.
- Use fresh herbs like mint and basil for vibrant flavor.
- Optional pine nuts add crunch but can be omitted for a nut-free salad.
- Chilling the salad enhances the refreshing qualities and allows the dressing to meld with the ingredients.
