When it comes to seasonal produce, watermelon is about as summer as it gets! It’s available most of the year at a lot of grocery stores but it doesn’t even come close to fresh watermelon at the peak of its season!
I want to go out with a bang this summer, so I’m featuring probably the summeriest summer recipe ever! Crisp, juicy and sweet watermelon with crunchy, refreshing cucumber, tossed in a lemony vinaigrette with aromatic basil. The salad is balanced out with a little salty, creamy feta cheese!
Here’s what you need:
The ingredients are pretty self-explanatory. This is a very simple recipe with minimal prep! Start with the vinaigrette. Whisk the lemon juice, honey, olive oil, salt and pepper in a small bowl and set it aside.
Dice everything into same-sized pieces.
This way, you end up getting a little bit of everything in each bite. Add the diced cucumber and watermelon to a large mixing bowl. Add the thinly sliced red onion and basil. Give the whole thing a toss with the prepared vinaigrette.
Pop this into the fridge for a bit to allow the salad time to absorb the vinaigrette and for the flavors to marry. Just before serving, add the diced feta to the bowl and fold it in gently so it holds its shape and doesn’t get too mushy. If you are going to be traveling with this salad, bring the feta in its own separate container and toss it in just before serving.
This salad makes a great, refreshing side dish for a barbecue. Or pile it onto fresh, leafy greens such as baby spinach or arugula for a healthy, light lunch all on its own!
Other recipes to try:
- Fresh and Healthy Pineapple Salsa
- Mediterranean Farro Salad
- Homemade Labneh
- Whipped Goat Cheese with Blueberry Sauce
- Orange, Almond and Farro Salad
Watermelon, Cucumber and Feta Salad
Ingredients
- 4 cups diced watermelon bite-sized
- 2 cups diced English cucumber
- 1/4 cup red onion very thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup julienned fresh basil about 20 leaves
- 6 ounces diced feta
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp honey
- black pepper to taste
- greens, such as spinach or arugula optional
Instructions
- Whisk together the lemon, olive oil, honey, salt and pepper. Set the dressing aside.Add the watermelon, cucumber, red onion and basil to a large bowl. Pour in the dressing and toss. Let the salad sit for about 15 minutes in the refrigerator to marry the flavors. Add the feta in last and toss it gently so it holds its shape.Serve the salad just the way it is or over a pile of fresh greens.