This basil, feta and watermelon salad recipe is so refreshing on a hot day! It's fresh, zingy and so healthy as well as tasty. It makes a perfect summer side dish!
There is something so fresh and tasty about a watermelon salad. After all, watermelons are so juicy and the perfect fruit to enjoy in summer. I love cutting up a watermelon and just enjoying slices of fresh fruit outside on a hot day.
Until recently I hadn't made a watermelon salad. I never got further than just eating it as it came. However, I kept seeing so many easy tempting watermelon recipes. I knew I had to get my act together!
Ingredients for this salad
To make this salad you'll need:
- Watermelon
- Feta
- Basil
- Lime
- Seasoning
The inspiration for this basil and feta watermelon salad
I have been inspired by so many watemelon salads online. A few years ago I would never have thought to put watermelon in a savoury salad but it works so well!
It's a great choice if you're trying to eat healthily too.
As I said, I've seen a lot of slightly different watermelon salad recipes but what is great about this one is the simplicity and the squeeze of lime. It's a perfect match for the salty feta and the sweet melon.
What to eat with a watermelon salad
This watermelon salad may be simple but it's still so versatile. You don't need to eat anything with it. Why not just have a big plateful as a light main meal? You could serve some tortilla chips, bread or crackers on the side to make it a little more substantial.
It's also a great salad to make a as a bbq side dish. The sweetness of the melon, the saltiness of the feta and the refreshing lime make it a perfect match for sweet marinated barbecued foods such as chicken wings or drumsticks.
What meat goes with watermelon salad?
I love to serve this with grilled chicken but it's also great with steak too.
How can you adapt this watermelon feta salad?
You can vary this salad a little. It's great with some mint leaves as well as the basil. You can also add some extra salad vegetables. Diced radishes and cucumber go really well with the watermelon and feta.
Why not add some salad leaves too? Rocket (arugula) goes really well and adds a lovely pepperiness.
You can change the feta for another cheese. If you're having a barbecue then grilled halloumi goes really well instead of the feta. Any goats cheese is also delicious in it.
Can you prepare this salad in advance?
You can prepare it in advance but more of the juice will come out of the watermelon and the fresh basil leaves will wilt a little into the salad. However it will still be very tasty!
How long can you keep it in the fridge?
I do think this salad is best when freshly prepared and it's so easy that there's no need to make a huge batch if you're only going to eat a little. However, it will keep for 48 hours inthe fridge so if you make too much and don't want to waste it then don't worry about it. Just cover it up and eat the leftovers the next day.
More Fresh and Tasty Summer Salads
Or this Thai Cucumber salad?
I love salad recipes and even have a whole recipe collection for main course salad recipes. Do check it out if you're looking for inspiration!
Recipe
Basil, Feta and Watermelon Salad
Ingredients
- 500 g watermelon diced
- 100 g feta diced
- 16 basil leaves approximately, chopped
- 1 lime juiced
Instructions
- Mix all the ingredients and add a little extra lime juice if it's needed.
- Chill in the fridge until you're ready to serve.
Notes
Nutrition
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Susan
Such fresh flavors! What a perfect summer salad. Thank you for sharing!
Corina Blum
I'm glad you like it Susan! It's very refreshing for summer and I love it as a light meal.
Laura
Such a light option for hot summer days. Really like how fresh this salad looks - I definitely would like to to see more recipes with watermelon!
Corina Blum
I would too! There are not so many recipes for it are there.
Immaculate Ruému
Going to get myself a bag of tortilla chips as I make these! Love the simplicity and its a perfect light work meal.
Corina Blum
Exactly! This would make a lovely light meal with some tortilla chips. I think I might have to do that soon.
Lesli Schwartz
This watermelon salad is amazingly refreshing for this time of year! Can't wait to try your version, and I adore feta cheese!
Corina Blum
Thanks Lesli! I just wish we had the right kind of spring weather right now to actually enjoy it properly. I feel like eating stews and soups still!
Beth Neels
Such a colorful and delicious summer salad! The salt of the feta will pair beautifully with the sweet melon! Thanks for the idea!
Corina Blum
It does! It's a lovely combination. I'm glad you like it
Anna | Once Upon A Food Blog
This salad looks right up my street! I love the suggestion of adding mint too - I think I would, but apart from that it looks perfect, and I have a block of feta in the fridge that I was wondering what to do with...
Corina Blum
I hope you like it if you do try it Anna! I'm sure it'll be lovely with mint as mint goes so well with feta and watermelon.
Holley Grainger
I make a very similar salad with the same ingredients plus tomato. YUM! It is the epitome of summer!
Corina
I might have to add some tomato next time - It goes so well with basil and feta but I've never tried it with watermelon before.
goodiegodmother
Delicious! Love a good watermelon salad! <3
Corina
Me to now!
colleen @ Secrets from the Cookie Princess
Perfect for summer and simple to make. Excellent!
CJ Huang
I've had a similar salad before, and the flavors just somehow go together! Perfect for summer too. 🙂
Corina
Indeed!
Asnley@cheesecurdinparadise
So happy you liked it! Basil with fruit is an amazing combo!!!
Corina
It is - The basil, feta and lime stop it from feeling like a fruit salad and make it a lovely savoury side dish.
A Cookbook Collection
I love this combination of flavours!
Corina
Thank you.
bigmaxy
I love this combo it works so well together - I also soak some red onion in lime juice and throw in a handfull of capers. Perfect for summer.
Corina
That sounds like a really tasty addition - I'll try it next time.
Miz Helen
I just love the watermelon and feta combination for a wonderful summer salad, looks so good. It's great cooking with you in the SRC!
Miz Helen
Corina
Thank you -It's a great summer recipe.
Kate
Lovely fresh flavors!! I love the contrast of flavors in this salad....great SRC choice.
Corina
Thank you.