Memorial Day weekend is exactly one week away! It is the official kickoff to summer, which means it’s time to fire up the grill and gather with friends.
While everyone loves a good burger or hot dog, the heavy, mayonnaise-based potato salads and pasta salads can feel a little too rich when sitting out in the hot summer sun. If you want to bring the absolute best Memorial Day food idea to your cookout this year, you need this Watermelon Feta Mint Salad.
It is the ultimate combination of sweet, salty, and incredibly refreshing. It takes exactly 10 minutes to make, requires zero cooking, and is naturally a healthy summer meal side dish. Prepare for everyone to ask you for the recipe!
🛒 The 5-Ingredient Shopping List
Because this salad is so simple, the quality of your ingredients is everything!
- 4 Cups Seedless Watermelon, cubed. (Look for a heavy melon with a large yellow “field spot” on the bottom—that means it’s sweet and ripe!)
- 1/2 Cup Feta Cheese, crumbled. (See my crucial cheese hack below!).
- 1/4 Cup Fresh Mint Leaves, finely chopped.
- The Dressing: 2 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil & the juice of 1 fresh Lime.
- Optional but amazing: A drizzle of Balsamic Glaze right before serving!
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: The Feta Cheese Hack 🛑
Crucial Tip: Do NOT buy the plastic tub of pre-crumbled feta cheese! Pre-crumbled cheese is coated in an anti-caking powder (cellulose) that makes it dry and prevents it from being creamy. Always buy a block of feta in brine and crumble it yourself with a fork. It is 10x creamier and tastes much richer!
Step 2: Cube the Watermelon
Cut your cold, seedless watermelon into uniform, bite-sized 1-inch cubes. If the pieces are too big, they are hard to eat at a party! Place the cubes into a large, beautiful serving bowl.
Step 3: Whisk the Dressing
In a small mason jar or bowl, whisk together the olive oil and fresh lime juice. You don’t need any salt because the feta cheese provides all the saltiness you need!
Step 4: The “Last Minute” Assembly Rule 🧊
Watermelon is 92% water. If you mix this salad too early, the salt in the cheese will draw the water out of the melon, turning your beautiful salad into a soggy, pink soup.
Do not toss this salad until right before serving!
Step 5: Toss and Serve!
Right as your guests are grabbing their plates, pour the lime dressing over the watermelon. Add the crumbled feta cheese and the fresh chopped mint. Gently toss to combine. Drizzle with balsamic glaze if desired, and serve immediately!
💡 Make-Ahead Tips for BBQs:
Want to prep ahead for your Memorial Day cookout? You can cube the watermelon, crumble the feta, and make the dressing the night before! Keep them all in completely separate, airtight containers in the fridge. When it’s time to eat, just dump them all into a bowl and toss!
