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Home » Recipes » Salads

Watermelon Basil Salad

Published: Jun 29, 2023 by Scott · This post may contain affiliate links.

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

This refreshing Watermelon and Basil Salad is perfect for a warm sunny day. The juicy watermelon, salty feta cheese, crisp red onion, fresh basil, and mint create an irresistible combination. And it's all drizzled with a sweet and tangy homemade honey vinaigrette. This salad is a delicious blend of flavors and the perfect complement to any summer meal!

Watermelon salad with basil and feta in a large serving bowl.
Jump to:
  • Why this Recipe Works
  • Ingredient Notes
  • Step-by-Step Instructions
  • Expert Tips
  • What to Serve with Watermelon Salad
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Recipe Variations
  • More Summer Salad Recipes
  • 📖 Recipe
  • You May Also Like

Why this Recipe Works

This watermelon salad with feta and herbs is possibly the perfect summer salad for a hot sunny day. The combination of the juicy watermelon, aromatic fresh herbs, crisp red onion, and salty feta cheese is amazing! And the sweet and tangy honey vinaigrette is a perfect compliment to top off the salad.

And this salad is as easy to make as it is delicious. Simply chop your watermelon, slice your onion, chop the herbs, and whisk up the simple honey vinaigrette. Within 15 minutes, you'll have a restaurant-quality salad ready to wow your guests!

Ingredient Notes

Ingredients for Watermelon salad arranged on a countertop in individual bowls.
  • Watermelon - Seedless watermelon is the best choice for this salad. You'll need around half of a medium-sized watermelon. Check out this handy guide for choosing your watermelon.
  • Herbs - Fresh basil and mint add tons of flavor to the salad. You can chop them or tear them into small pieces. The herbs will begin to oxidize and brown as they sit in the salad, so it's best to add those just before serving if making this ahead.
  • Feta Cheese - The feta adds a salty flavor to help balance the sweetness of the watermelon and the honey vinaigrette. Crumble it yourself for the freshest flavor.

See the recipe card at the bottom of this post for a full list of ingredients and measurements.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Start by preparing the vinaigrette. Combine olive oil, champagne vinegar, honey, dijon mustard, salt, and pepper in a small bowl and whisk together until well blended.
A small bowl of honey dijon vinaigrette dressing.
  1. Add the watermelon, feta, onion, basil, and mint to a large mixing bowl. Pour the prepared vinaigrette over the salad ingredients and gently toss until everything is well coated.
  2. Let the salad sit for 5-10 minutes to allow the watermelon to release some of its juices. Spoon the salad into a large serving bowl and season with salt and pepper to taste, then enjoy!
Cubed watermelon in a mixing bowl topped with feta cheese, red onion, and chopped herbs.
Watermelon and basil salad in a large serving bowl.

Expert Tips

  • Toss the salad gently to avoid crushing the watermelon cubes and keep the feta from becoming too mashed.
  • Save some feta and herbs to top the salad before serving for the best presentation.
  • This salad is best served fresh, but if you're making it ahead, keep the dressing and herbs separate and toss them in the salad just before serving to keep the watermelon crisp and the herbs bright and green.

What to Serve with Watermelon Salad

This delicious watermelon and herb salad is perfect for grilled meats like my grilled BBQ chicken legs, spinach and feta turkey burgers, and grilled jerk chicken.

It's also perfect for summer barbecues with smoked meats like my smoked whole chicken, smoked St. Louis spare ribs, and smoked pork chops.

A bowl of watermelon salad topped with herbs and feta cheese.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to store watermelon salad?

Store leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. The watermelon will release juices as it sits, which can be drained off before serving the leftovers.
If you have any dressing leftover, store it separately and toss it with the leftover salad before serving.

Can I make watermelon salad ahead of time?

Watermelon salad is best served immediately, but you can prep the ingredients ahead and leave out the dressing and herbs. Then toss them with the salad just before serving.

Recipe Variations

  • Spicy watermelon salad - Add 1-2 sliced jalapeños and season the salad with 1 teaspoon of chili powder and ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper. For this version, I like to replace the basil with chopped cilantro and add the juice of 1 lime to the dressing.
  • Cucumber watermelon salad - Add a sliced English cucumber for a salad with more crunch and color.
  • Watermelon and Avocado Salad - Chopped avocado adds a creamy texture to the salad. This version is also tasty with a lime vinaigrette.

More Summer Salad Recipes

  • Broccoli Salad {Chicken Salad Chick Copycat}
  • A large serving bowl filled with an authentic Greek salad.
    Greek Cucumber Salad
  • Grilled peaches with burrata, arugula, and blueberries served on a platter with grilled bread.
    Grilled Peach and Burrata Salad
  • Mexican street corn salad in a serving bowl aong with fresh sliced limes and a jar with a bunch of fresh cilantro
    Mexican Street Corn Salad

If you try this recipe, don't forget to leave a RATING or COMMENT below. I would love to hear from you!!! And FOLLOW me on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram for all the latest recipes!

📖 Recipe

Watermelon salad with basil and feta in a large serving bowl.

Watermelon Basil Salad

This refreshing Watermelon and Basil Salad features juicy watermelon and fresh herbs with a homemade vinaigrette. It's the perfect dish for a warm summer day!
Author: Scott
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 15 minutes mins
Total Time: 15 minutes mins
Servings: 4
Calories: 262kcal

Equipment

  • Chefs Knife
  • Cutting board
  • Measuring Spoons
  • Measuring Cups
  • mixing bowl

Ingredients

  • 6 cups seedless watermelon, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
  • ¼ cup thinly sliced red onion
  • ¼ cup fresh chopped basil
  • 1 Tablespoon fresh chopped mint
  • salt and pepper, to taste

Honey Vinaigrette Dressing

  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 2 Tablespoons champange vinegar
  • 1 Tablespoon honey
  • 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

  • Add the vinaigrette ingredients to a small bowl and whisk to combine.
  • Add the watermelon, feta, onion, basil, and mint to a large mixing bowl. Pour the dressing on top, then fold or gently toss to coat the salad.
  • Let the salad sit for 5-10 minutes to allow the watermelon to release some of its juices. Spoon the salad into a large serving bowl and season with salt and pepper to taste, then enjoy!

Notes

Make Ahead: If you plan to make the salad ahead, leave out the herbs and the dressing and toss them with the salad just before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 262kcalCarbohydrates: 24gProtein: 4gFat: 16gSugar: 5g

* All nutrition information we provide are estimates based on third party calculators. We encourage you to calculate these on your own for accurate results.

Course: Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Tried this recipe?Don't forget to leave a rating above and mention @disheswithdad or tag #disheswithdad on social media!

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About Me

Hello, I'm Scott! I'm a former professional cook and an experienced home cook. I created this space to share my favorite quick and easy, family-friendly recipes and hopefully inspire you to try some of them for yourself!

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