Watermelon Salad

This 10-minute, refreshing watermelon and feta salad is a cool and fun summer side. Bursting with juicy watermelon chunks, creamy feta cheese, cucumber, red onion, and crisp greens, it's a fun and tasty blend of sweet and savory flavors. Sesame seeds add crunch and the honey-lemon-lime dressing brings everything together. Perfect for a light lunch or a vibrant side dish at your next gathering.

You'll love this refreshing salad made with ripe watermelon, rich feta cheese, cucumbers, and red onion over mixed greens.

Honey-lime dressing and mint layer in flavor and pop while honey-roasted sesame seeds add crunch and a hit of saltiness.

★ Why You'll Love this Recipe ★

The salad is super simple to prep, no cooking required! And is the perfect refreshingly healthy lunch or side on a hot summer day. Ready in just 10 minutes.

This salad combines flavor, freshness with a bit of crunch. It's satisfying and quite filling especially when you add a protein.

You can try adding grilled chicken for a complete meal or serving this up as a side dish to any grilled meat of your choice.

This salad dressing tastes great with lemons or limes or both! So it's a great way to use up leftover lemons and lime as well as watermelon of course.

This will be your favorite summer salad!

★ Ingredients You'll Need ★

Here's a look at what goes into this delicious summer salad:

• Watermelon. Make sure it's nice and ripe so that sweetness comes through.
• Red onion. This balances out the sweetness and layers in mild spiciness and crunch.
• Cucumber. You can use English or regular cucumber.
• Mint. Fresh mint is a must. It adds an extra refreshing note to this salad and pairs perfectly with the watermelon and citrus.
• Honey-roasted sesame seeds. You can also use regular sesame seeds.
• For the dressing: Lemon and or lime juice, freshly squeezed is best; avocado oil, honey, and salt and pepper to taste. For an extra layer of flavor you can also add in Dijon mustard or red wine vinegar but these are not necessary.

If you'd like to add a little spice to this salad, add 1-2 tablespoon of diced jalapeño to the dressing!

That's it! Simple and so tangy and gooooood!

★ How to Make this Recipe ★

This salad is made with just a little chopping and a little mixing.

Here's a look at the steps:

• Slice watermelon, onion, and cucumber.
• Chop mint.
• Layer greens, watermelon, cucumber, onion, and mint in a bowl.
• Mix together dressing ingredients.
• Drizzle salad with dressing.
• Add feta cheese.

That's it. Super easy!

★ Tips & FAQs ★

Can I make any substitutions for the ingredients?

Of course! You can customize this salad according to your taste preferences. For example, you can use goat cheese instead of feta, basil instead of mint, or omit the red onion if you prefer a milder flavor.

How do I choose a ripe watermelon?

Look for a watermelon that feels heavy for its size and has a uniform shape. It's also likely to be ripe if it's dull in appearance, not shiny.

The underside should have a yellow spot (where it sat on the ground while ripening) while a white or green spot may indicate that the watermelon was picked prematurely.

How should I cut the watermelon for this salad?

Start by cutting the watermelon in half, then into wedges. Remove the rind and cut the flesh into bite-sized cubes or chunks.

Do I need to peel the cucumber?

It's up to you! Cucumber skin is edible but it can be bitter and a bit tough. So if you prefer a more tender texture, you can peel the cucumber. However, leaving the peel on adds color and extra nutrients to the salad. I like to add stripes using a peeler for the best of both worlds.

How far in advance can I prepare this salad?

This salad is best prepared right before serving; however, you can prep the ingredients a few hours in advance, but do not add the dressing. Go ahead and make the dressing and store it in the fridge in a separate container. Then, drizzle on the dressing right before serving to maintain the salad's freshness and crispness.

How should I store leftovers?

Store any leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Keep in mind that the salad may become watery as it sits, so it's best to consume it within a day or two. Be sure to also store the dressing separate from the salad.

Can I make the dressing ahead of time?

Yes, you can make the dressing ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Just give it a good shake or stir before using it, as the ingredients may separate.

Can I add a protein or other ingredients to this salad?

Absolutely! This salad is versatile, and you can add ingredients like arugula, edamame, or grilled chicken to make it a more substantial meal.

Is this salad suitable for vegans?

The base ingredients of watermelon, cucumber, mint, and sesame seeds are vegan-friendly. To make it fully vegan, simply omit the feta cheese or use a vegan alternative.

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