Watermelon Feta Basil Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette
We made this refreshing Watermelon Feta Basil Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette while vacationing in Northern Minnesota.
This Watermelon Salad Recipe was so cool, delicious, and irresistible on a hot summer day!
Why You Must Make
- This Watermelon and Feta Salad is an unusual, refreshing summer salad which is perfect for your next picnic or potluck.
- There are numerous varieties of this watermelon dish, some with mint and parsley others with a lime or red wine vinegar-based salad dressing.
- When I was up in Northern Minnesota for a mini family reunion, the cooks in the family gathered in the kitchen and made this delicious version replete with feta, kalamata olives, basil and a balsamic vinaigrette.
If you have any leftover watermelon, I am also a huge fan of this flavorful watermelon gazpacho, these fun watermelon jello shots, as well as this splendid watermelon grapefruit wine slush!
Recipe Tips
As its name suggests, watermelon is filled with water. In fact, they’re 92% water! Therefore, any dressing you add will be diluted with the juices from the fruit.
- To avoid having the dressing diluted with watermelon juices, which makes a less flavorful salad, serve immediately after tossing with the dressing.
- Another option is to cut the watermelon, place it in a colander over a bowl, and let it rest in the refrigerator to allow excess juice to drip into the container.
- If you do the latter, you can prep the olives, feta, and dressing ahead of time to streamline the process at dinnertime.
- Add some thinly sliced red onion if you enjoy onions in your salads. I like to soak them in ice water after they’re sliced to decrease their pungency. Let drain and pat dry before adding to the salad.
Ingredient Notes
- Kitchen Staples – Salt, Freshly Ground Black Pepper, Olive Oil (I used extra virgin olive oil)
- Watermelon – Rind removed and cut into bite-sized chunks. A seedless watermelon is nice if you have access to them.
- Feta Cheese – Cut into bite-sized cubes. If you’re not a fan of feta, try another soft cheese.
- Green or Red Onions – Sliced (I forgot to add these!)
- Kalamata Olives – Pits removed and cut in half
- Fresh Basil – Chiffonade* or chop
- Balsamic Vinegar – See if you can find an aged balsamic, it will be sweet and syrupy. I get an 18-year old balsamic at a local spice shop.
Boy did we have a blast cooking together. When I get together with my sisters, we start planning the next meal even before our plates are empty. We took turns at the helm and had some amazing meals. My aunt, Angela, had a notebook of recipes she had collected over the years. She whipped up a marvelous black bean feta dip that I must recreate. This was her version of the best watermelon salad!
My grandmother’s Ginger Crisps and Raspberry White Chocolate Bars, which I schlepped through TSA from Indianapolis, were noshed on after dinner, and we found that melted Dove chocolates paired beautifully with the ginger cookies.
As is typical for summer gatherings at the lake, the grill was going full time each night when dinner time rolled around. The side dishes varied, but this watermelon feta basil salad was delicious and especially memorable; I knew it would become a summer tradition.
Frequently Asked Questions
In the US, their peak season is mid-June to late-August.
Look for a symmetrical melon without a flat side. Rap on the melon with your fist. If it’s ripe, the melon will sound hollow. Check the rind for soft and shiny spots and don’t purchase if you find either. If it’s cut, you should see bright, not pale flesh.
If not cut, you can store it for up to a week in the refrigerator. After it’s cut, wrap the cut side and use it within 2-3 days.
More Summer Recipes You’ll Love:
- Watermelon Salsa from Reluctant Entertainer
- Frozen Watermelon Margaritas from Living Locurto
- Mini Melon Fruit Kabobs from Belly Full
- Waspacho AKA Watermelon Gazpacho
- Classic Gazpacho
- Melon and Prosciutto Skewers
- Plus, check out all my Best Salad Recipes for more inspiration
With my sisters and Greenwood relatives (my mom’s family!) in Northern Minnesota.
Watermelon Feta Basil Salad Recipe with Balsamic Vinaigrette
A summer salad featuring watermelon, feta, kalamata olives and basil
Ingredients
- 3 pounds of watermelon, rind removed and cut into bite sized chunks (seedless watermelon is recommended)
- 4 ounces feta, cubed
- 3 green onions, sliced (I forgot to add these!)
- ½ cup kalamata olives, pits removed and cut in half
- 2-3 tablespoons fresh basil (chiffonade* or chopped)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Gently toss watermelon, feta, onions, olives, and basil in a large bowl.
- Whisk together the olive oil and vinegar and pour over the salad. Gently toss.
- Check for seasoning and add salt and pepper if desired.
Notes
The feta and olives can be quite salty. I did not feel this salad needed salt, so taste before adding any.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 186Total Fat: 11gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 17mgSodium: 296mgCarbohydrates: 20gFiber: 1gSugar: 15gProtein: 4g
18 Comments on “Watermelon Feta Basil Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette”
Great family photo! This salad looks so refreshing and it would be wonderful to have ripe melons in the upcoming winter.
Love this refreshing salad for warm summer nights!
Your family reunion sounds wonderful, Liz! I doesn’t get anymore fun than getting together with your sisters, cooking, eating, and talking about food! Getting together with both of my sisters at the same time is rare because we live so far apart so I cherish every moment. I love watermelon salads. This looks delicious!! Watermelon and feta is a fantastic combination.
Lovely salad and so unusual. You still look so gorgeous, Liz! Have a blessed day!
It looks like you had a wonderful time with your sisters and what a refreshing and tasty salad. It’s pinned and I hope to make before summmer is over,
Looks so refreshing! Liz, I love the textures and flavor combinations of this yummy watermelon salad! A nice light lunch or dinner sounds great! It’s so nice when all the family gets together, and that you got a picture! <3 That is so awesome!
Sounds like a fun time! And such a fun salad — love any salad that has feta. Such deep flavor, don’t you think? Good stuff — thanks.
What a beautiful family, it looks like you had a wonderful time! This salad looks amazing, I just love the colours! Adding the olives is something I haven’t seen but love it nonetheless!
Lovely pic of you and your family Liz, how fun to cook with your sisters. Love, love this salad, beautiful color and textures.
What fun you all had in the kitchen cooking up family moments and recipes. I remeber the first time I had this type of salad, I was like “say what?” But once you hve it you are hooked. hmm, never tried adding olives to it though.
This is one of my favourite summer salads! Sweet juicy and salty…a wonderful combo!
Aww look at your gorgeous family! What fun – and this must be a delicious salad – because I love watermelon and feta – love the addition of olives – yummy!
I love fruity salads. This watermelon salad looks so refreshing and intriguing, Liz. I can tell it tastes so delish.
now this is one refreshing salad!
How fun that you could all be together and enjoy each other’s company and delicious food. I love this combination of sweet and salty!
I love salads like this, the sweet watermelon is so good with the salty feta.