Watermelon Salad with Feta Cheese (Easy Summer Salad Recipe)

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Table of contents:

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How to choose the best watermelon

For this recipe, find a ripe sweet melon, but that’s not too ripe. Not sure how? Don´t worry. Here are a few tips for finding the right watermelon: 

• A good watermelon will be symmetrical in shape and not have any weird bumps or imperfections on the skin. 
• Check the ‘field spot’ found on the underside of a melon. A ripe melon’s skin will be darker in color and the underside field spot will be a pale yellow color rather than white. 
• A melon’s skin will be dull, indicating it is ready and will be sweet, whereas an underripe melon will have shiny skin. 
• It’s also quite common for melons to be sold cut in half. Look for firm pinkish flesh inside that´s not too soggy. If it is soft or darkened, it is overripe or the flesh may have been bruised. 

How to cut a watermelon

Watermelons can be tricky to cut so it’s most important to use a large sharp knife and find a large stable table to cut your melon. 

• First, rinse the melon with clean water and remove any grit from the skin. Pat dry with a kitchen towel. 
• Place your melon on a large chopping board with the stalk mark pointing towards you. Place the knife at the top of the melon and cut it in half. It should cut easily so don’t use too much force. 
• Next, cut off the stem end and place the melon cut-side down on a chopping board.
• Cut into slices, then with a slice laying flat on the board, run a knife around the line where it goes from red to white to remove the skin. 

Can you eat watermelon seeds? 

There are two types of watermelon seeds: brown and white seeds. Contrary to the belief of my mother and grandmother who would constantly tell me that watermelon seeds would grow inside my belly if I ate one, watermelon seeds are, in fact, totally safe to eat. 

You will hardly notice the white seeds if eaten, but the brown seeds can be a little bitter if chewed but are not harmful in any way. 

Should I remove all brown watermelon seeds?

Most people will remove seeds as they are an inconvenience in recipes, and sure, If you have the time, remove the brown seeds. Another option is seedless watermelon, but for this recipe, we just rolled with a normal watermelon and kept the seeds in. 

Chilled watermelon tip (for hot days)

Once you´ve cubed your melon, pop it in the fridge for an hour to keep it chilled and you’ll have refreshing cubes of watermelon when you’re ready to serve. If you´re short on time, 15 minutes in the freezer will also do the trick. 

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What is Feta cheese?

Feta is a Greek brined white cheese that is made from sheep’s milk. Occasionally, feta is made from a mixture of sheep and goat’s milk. Feta is available in most grocery stores and you’ll find it in the chilled cheese section. It’s sold in tubs, or in small plastic packages that contain a brine, keeping the cheese fresh. 

Feta cheese tastes quite salty thanks to the brine, and you won’t need much to add flavor to recipes. We used just ½ cup of feta for this recipe, which is around 5 oz. or 150 grams.

What to serve with Watermelon salad with feta

Come summertime, this recipe is always on high rotation in our kitchen. It’s great because it’s so easy to make and there´s no cooking required! It’s also super versatile and works well as a side dish, or as a tasty and refreshing light meal. 

This salad is great as a side when served at a BBQ or picnic. Serve it alongside your favorite grilled meats, fish, or seafood dish and you´ll have a delicious sweet and refreshing salad that’s not too heavy or filling. 

Enjoy this watermelon salad recipe with:

• Grilled meats
• Fish and seafood dishes
• Roast or grilled veg
• Grilled corn on the cob
• Burgers and veggie burgers

Ingredient substitutions

• Bulk up this salad to a main meal by adding Moroccan couscous or some quinoa. 
• Add some crunch with some lightly toasted pumpkin seeds (the salted ones also work great). 
• Crumbled cashew nuts or pistachios also work well when you want a little crunch in your watermelon salad. 
• Want to add a little spice? Try adding some freshly diced chili. Jalapeno peppers work great and don’t give off too much heat, coming in at around 2,000 to 8,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU). If you prefer an even milder spice, try using Anaheim peppers, they are very mild and rate around (500 to 2,500 SHU). 
• Feeling fruity? Add some cubed cantaloupe for some color and freshness. Summer stone fruit such as peaches, plums, and nectarines also work great in salad recipes alongside watermelon.

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FAQs

Is this watermelon salad recipe healthy? 

Yep, it sure is. All ingredients are considered healthy and unprocessed with the exception of the feta cheese. Feta is slightly high in fat, but can easily be omitted for a healthier option. 

Is this recipe suitable for vegetarians?

Watermelon salad with feta cheese is suitable for vegetarian diets. Omit the feta cheese for a vegan-friendly option. 

How to choose watermelon?

The color around the field spot on the underside of the melon should be a creamy yellow or a pale orange, indicating the melon is ripe, sweet, and full of flavor.

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories	203
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 13.1g	17%
Saturated Fat 4.2g	21%
Cholesterol 17mg	6%
Sodium 710mg	31%
Total Carbohydrate 20.5g	7%
Dietary Fiber 2.2g	8%
Total Sugars 13.8g
Protein 4.5g
Vitamin D 0mcg	0%
Calcium 137mg	11%
Iron 1mg	8%
Potassium 312mg	7%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calorie a day is used for general nutrition advice.

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