This salad is centered around mouth-watering watermelon, so you need to pick the ripest watermelon at the store. There are a few quick tips to help you with this, such as looking for well-defined stripes on the outside of the rind.
If you find a watermelon that’s solid green in color, then don’t pick this one. You need to make sure there are clear visible stripes as an indicator of the ripeness of the fruit inside. If you knock on the watermelon, you should also hear a deep and hollow sound. Any dry spots and dimples mean the fruit has likely been exposed to lots of sun and will be desirably sweet.
Feta works beautifully in this salad as its creamy texture and salty flavor contrasts beautifully with the sweetness and slight crunch of the watermelon. There are lots of different types of cheese that will also pair well with watermelon if feta isn’t to your taste. Goat cheese has similar tangy and creamy properties to feta, and can just as easily be crumbled over the top.
Or try swapping in blue cheese for a bolder twist on the recipe. For a crunchy element you could consider adding a handful of nuts. Toasted walnuts bring an earthy element to this fresh salad and cashews pair well with the feta for extra creaminess.
Pairings and When to Serve it
With its summery flavors, this salad is perfect for your next barbecue in the backyard. Plate alongside go-to dishes, such as grilled corn and veggie burgers, for a fresh pairing with your dishes. Or you could enjoy it as part of an elevated lunch, with a delicious egg sandwich or chicken salad sandwich. If you’d like to enjoy this salad as an entree on its own, then you could also add a helping of quinoa for a more filling plate.
You should serve this dish as soon as you’ve combined all of the ingredients together. As with most salads, once the dressing has been added to the ingredients you should enjoy it straight away, as it can turn watery if left in the fridge prior to serving.
Optional Dressings and Herbs
We’ve shared an easy dressing in the recipe above, but you can swap this for other options including a watermelon feta salad with balsamic vinegar. Balsamic vinegar brings a welcome tartness that complements the sweet and savory notes of the creamy feta and watermelon, balancing the salad.
Mint is a classic pairing with watermelon, enhancing the fresh and sweet notes of the fruit with its aromatic properties. But you can of course experiment with other flavors.
Basil brings a peppery richness to the salad that’s a welcome pairing with the sweetness of the watermelon and savory notes of the feta. Cilantro offers bright, citrus notes that sit naturally alongside the freshly squeezed lime juice and the fruit.
