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This simple watermelon salad proves that a handful of ingredients can go a long way.
Few summer side dishes are as iconic as watermelon salad. Sweet, juicy, and endlessly refreshing, it is a natural fit for hot-weather gatherings. In the best versions, the watermelon’s juices are not a flaw but a feature, mingling with citrus, olive oil, and herbs to become part of the dressing itself. That’s the case with our watermelon, feta, and mint salad, developed by former Serious Eats culinary director Kenji López-Alt, and it’s no surprise the salad is our most popular cookout side dish of all time.
Sweet watermelon, salty feta, and fresh mint have become a classic combination, but this recipe relies on a few smart techniques that elevate it beyond the standard cookout side. Rather than piling in extra ingredients, Kenji focuses on maximizing the flavor and texture of each component, creating a salad that is balanced, vibrant, and perfect for summer.
The recipe begins with the watermelon. Because the fruit makes up the bulk of the dish, its quality matters enormously. A ripe, flavorful watermelon contributes not only sweetness but also the floral aroma and crisp texture that define the salad. As Kenji notes, no amount of clever preparation can compensate for a bland melon.
After the watermelon, the feta is the most important ingredient. Kenji recommends using sheep’s milk feta whenever possible. Compared with drier cow’s milk varieties, sheep’s milk feta has a creamier texture and a more complex flavor, providing a richer contrast to the crisp, juicy fruit.
What Makes This Recipe Work
The recipe’s most distinctive touch is a generous amount of lemon zest. While lemon juice adds acidity and brightness, the zest contributes fragrant citrus oils that highlight the watermelon’s floral notes and the feta’s tangy character.
The way the feta is incorporated is equally important. Rather than tossing everything together, Kenji sprinkles the cheese over the dressed watermelon just before serving. This preserves the feta’s creamy texture and prevents it from getting wet and coating every piece of fruit, ensuring that each bite delivers contrast between sweet watermelon, salty cheese, and fresh mint.
The finished dish demonstrates how a handful of carefully chosen ingredients and a few smart techniques can transform a familiar cookout staple into a memorable dish—and why our readers continue to return to this recipe summer after summer.
Get Recipe: Watermelon, Feta, and Mint Salad
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