Description
A refreshing summer salad combining juicy watermelon, salty feta, fresh mint, and tangy balsamic glaze for a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups watermelon, cubed (seedless, ripe and sweet)
- 1 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, roughly chopped
- 3 tablespoons balsamic glaze (store-bought or homemade)
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (optional)
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Pinch of sea salt, if needed
Instructions
- Cut seedless watermelon into roughly 1-inch cubes. Keep chilled if not using immediately.
- If making balsamic glaze at home: Pour 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar into a small saucepan over medium heat. Simmer gently, stirring occasionally, until reduced by half and coats the back of a spoon (about 10-15 minutes). Remove from heat and let cool.
- Crumble feta cheese into bite-sized pieces by hand or with a fork.
- Rinse fresh mint leaves, pat dry, and roughly chop.
- In a large bowl, gently toss watermelon cubes, crumbled feta, and chopped mint together.
- Drizzle olive oil and balsamic glaze over the salad. Season with freshly ground black pepper and a pinch of sea salt if needed. Toss gently to coat evenly.
- Taste and adjust seasoning or add a squeeze of fresh lime or lemon juice if desired.
- Transfer to a serving platter or bowl, garnish with extra mint leaves, and serve immediately or chill up to 30 minutes before serving.
Notes
Do not toss salad too aggressively to avoid excess watermelon juice. Use firm, ripe watermelon to prevent mushiness. Prepare salad up to 30 minutes ahead for best texture. Homemade balsamic glaze is fresher and less sugary than store-bought. Vegan option: substitute feta with vegan cheese or marinated tofu and use vegan balsamic glaze.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-15 minutes (if making balsamic glaze)
- Category: Salad
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup per serving
- Calories: 165
- Sugar: 12
- Sodium: 300
- Fat: 11
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Carbohydrates: 14
- Fiber: 1.5
- Protein: 7
Keywords: watermelon salad, feta salad, summer salad, fresh salad, balsamic glaze, mint, easy salad recipe, healthy salad