Home » Recipe Index » Salad Recipes

5-Ingredient Watermelon Feta Salad

Watermelon Feta Salad with Kalamata Olives is a refreshing summer side dish. It is a perfect side dish for backyard barbecues and cookouts.

Watermelon and feta salad with cucumbers and kalamata olives in a white bowl

Crisp, sweet watermelon and crunchy diced cucumber tossed with salty feta cheese, Kalamata olives, and a light red wine vinaigrette make for a savory-sweet combo that is totally irresistible.

This recipe only requires 5 ingredients (plus salt, pepper, and olive oil) and it is perfectly portioned to serve two people.

It also takes less than 10 minutes to make!

This recipe is from my book 5-Ingredient Cooking for Two: Buy 5-Ingredient Cooking for Two now!

For best results, use sweet, juicy ripe watermelon and a good quality feta cheese made from sheep’s milk. Trader Joe’s has a very good Israeli Feta that works well here.

Is the combination of sweet fruit and salty cheese weird? Not at all. Think of how cheese plates almost always include some sort of fruit—either fresh, dried, or as preserves or jam.

Salty cheese and sweet fruit are a flavor combination made in heaven. For another salty-sweet salad combo, try this Beet Salad with Feta.

What ingredients do you need?

This recipe is from my 5-ingredient cookbook, so you guessed it! Only 5 ingredients (plus salt,pepper, and olive oil):

  • Watermelon (choose seedless watermelons if possible)
  • Cucumber
  • Feta cheese
  • Kalamata olives
  • Red wine vinegar
Image is of the book cover for 5 Ingredient Cooking for 2 by Robin Donovan. The title is at the top in text and there is an image of chicken and potatoes on a plate with fresh rosemary and black pepper.

How do you make watermelon feta salad?

This watermelon salad really could not be easier to make:

  1. Cut up some watermelon and cucumber into cubes and put them in a bowl.
  2. Crumble some feta into the bowl.
  3. Add some halved Kalamata olives.
  4. Mix red wine vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper together in a smal bowl and then toss the mixture with the salad.
  5. Eat the whole bowl in minutes!
overhead shot of watermelon salad with cucumbers, feta cheese, and olives in a white bowl with silver salad servers on the table above the bowl.

Can you add other ingredients?

Well, I’m glad you asked! Yes, you can add other ingredients. A few things I like to add include julienned fresh mint or basil leaves, snipped chives, sliced scallions toasted pine nuts, or pickled red onions.

You can also substitute a different vinegar, like balsamic vinegar, sherry vinegar, or white wine vinegar or the red wine vinegar. Or use freshly squeezed lime juice or lemon juice in place of vinegar.

What do you serve this with?

This is the perfect summer salad to go along with any grilled or barbecued dishes. I love it alongside Grilled Flank Steak with Chile Butter because the refreshing sweetness balances out the spicy richness of the steak.

These juicy, crispy-skinned sous vide chicken thighs are another perfect main dish to accompany this salad.

I also love to eat it on its own as a light lunch or dinner.

watermelon salad with cucumbers, feta cheese, and olives in a white bowl, shot from a low angle with silver salad servers in the background.

More great salad recipes you’ll love

low angle shot of watermelon and feta salad in a white salad bowl.

Watermelon and Feta Salad

Robin Donovan
This salad combines sweet, refreshing watermelon with crunchy cucumbers, salty feta cheese, kalamata olives, and a tart red wine vinaigrette. And it only uses 5 ingredients (plus salt, pepper and olive oil)!
4.93 from 13 votes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Course Salad Recipes
Cuisine American
Calories 263 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups cubed watermelon
  • 1 cup diced cucumber
  • 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
  • 1/4 cup halved kalamata olives
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper

Instructions
 

  • In a large bowl, combine the watermelon, cucumber, cheese, and olives and toss gently to combine.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together the vinegar and oil. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Add the dressing to the salad and toss gently. Taste and season with more salt and pepper if needed. Serve immediately.

Notes

1. Sprinkle chopped fresh mint, basil, or chives over the top before serving.
2. Substitute freshly squeezed lime juice for the vinegar.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Calories: 263kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 4gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 17mgSodium: 571mgFiber: 2gSugar: 11g
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
pinterest pin for watermelon salad. The top image shows an overhead shot of watermelon salad with feta, cucumbers, and olives in a white bowl. the text says www.allwaysdelicious.com watermelon salad with feta and olives. The bottom image shows a low angle shot of the watermelon salad.
By on May 29th, 2020
Photo of Robin Donovan

About Robin Donovan

Robin Donovan is the creative force behind All Ways Delicious. She's a writer, recipe developer, photographer, and cookbook author with more than 40 books to her name, including the bestselling Ramen for Beginners, Ramen Obsession, and Campfire Cuisine. Her work has been featured in major publications, both print and digital, including MSN, Cooking Light, Fitness, Buzzfeed, and Eating Well. More about Robin

More Posts by this author.

8 thoughts on “5-Ingredient Watermelon Feta Salad”

  1. 5 stars
    I love how this salad is so refreshing. I have always loved tangy flavors in my dressing. So easy and good, added some mint and extra extra cheese for more flavor =)

    Reply
  2. 5 stars
    I made this with my grandkids, and it came out just wonderful! It was my first time using olives in a salad, but it won’t be the last. They paired so well with the watermelon! What a refreshing salad. Thank you!

    Reply
  3. 5 stars
    I made this for Thanksgiving and it was indeed a refreshing delight on our table. Love the combination of all the ingredients though I added a bit of twist to mine by adding toasted cashew nuts and it was absolutely delicious. I am seeing myself making this more especially with upcoming family gatherings.

    Reply
  4. 5 stars
    I was somewhat skeptical about this combination of flavors, but I was looking for a pretty salad to serve at a brunch I was hosting so I decided to give it a try. It had a great texture and the flavors went extremely well together. There were no leftovers so I guess it was a hit! 🙂

    Reply

Leave a Comment

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

SEEN ON

as seen on promo graphic

SEEN ON

as seen on promo graphic