The best ever watermelon feta balsamic salad
Last week we had lunch out and I ordered this watermelon feta balsamic salad.
It was so refreshing and delicious that I immediately came home and tried to duplicate the recipe. I like mine with salty feta cheese and juicy watermelon chunks garnished with fresh herbs.
Since then, we’ve served this watermelon salad recipe and our family and friends have enjoyed it! If you’re not sure what to bring to the summer potluck, try this recipe.
Or better yet, make it for your next summer picnic. It’s quick and easy to make with only 5-ingredients. Give it a whirl!
Watermelon feta salad with balsamic
When I think of summer fruit the first one that comes to mind is sweet watermelon! The main ingredient for this recipe. There is so much you can do with a fresh watermelon, make a salad, or better yet, make a refreshing watermelon lemonade.
This juicy fruit is 93% water making it an excellent choice for any hot summer day when our skin is more prone to dryness.
Besides requiring more hydration during the summer months, skin that’s unprotected from the sun is at increased risk for sunburn and overall redness. Sweet juicy watermelon is loaded with vitamin C, glutathione, and lycopene, potent antioxidants that can help counter the effects of free radicals found in our environment that can damage and age your skin.
The lycopene content of watermelon is about 40% higher than that of tomatoes (see my salmon, tomato salad recipe here).
Some research suggests that a diet rich in lycopene may reduce the redness caused by UV exposure.
Keep in mind that while lycopene may offer protection on the inside, you still need a good sunscreen. If you’d like to learn more about what sunscreen is best for you, check out my article here!
Watermelon feta balsamic salad recipe
Gather
- 2 small seedless ripe watermelons
- 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons of honey
- 1 cup of feta cheese
- mint for garnish
Step 1:Slice both watermelons in half and scoop out most of the watermelon.
Step 2: Place the watermelon in a large bowl.
Step 3: In a small saucepan, add balsamic vinegar and honey.
Step 4: Simmer until reduced to about a quarter of a cup.
Step 5: Remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature.
Step 6: Pour the cooled balsamic glaze over the watermelon and toss gently in a large mixing bowl.
Step 7: Add the watermelon back into the cut pieces and add 1/4 cup of feta to each half.
Step 8: Garnish with fresh basil or mint and serve.
What I love most about salads such as this watermelon feta balsamic is you can play around with the recipe. Swap out the feta for some goat cheese, add in a drizzle of olive oil, or skip the herbs.
If you don’t like the balsamic vinaigrette you don’t have to use it. A drizzle of olive oil or lime juice instead, will work just fine instead. The key to enjoying salads is making them whichever way you like.
You don’t have to stick to this recipe, you can also try a watermelon cucumber salad that’s just as easy to make.
NOTES
The key to a good watermelon feta balsamic said is picking the right watermelon. A ripe watermelon is perfect to balance the salty combo of the salad. A tip I’ve learned is to look for the field spot, where the watermelon sat on the ground as it ripened. It should be creamy yellow in color. Avoid watermelons with a white spot as they lack flavor.
