Peach Watermelon Salad With Feta (Printable)
Juicy peaches and watermelon with crumbled feta, red onion, mint and basil, dressed with lime-honey vinaigrette.
# What You'll Need:
→ Fruits
01 - 2 cups fresh watermelon, cut into 1-inch cubes
02 - 2 ripe peaches, pitted and sliced into wedges or cubed
03 - 1/4 cup fresh blueberries (optional, for added color)
→ Cheese
04 - 3/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled
→ Vegetables & Herbs
05 - 1/4 small red onion, thinly sliced into half-moons
06 - 2 tablespoons fresh mint leaves, finely chopped
07 - 1 tablespoon fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced (chiffonade)
→ Dressing
08 - 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
09 - 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice (lemon juice may be substituted)
10 - 1 teaspoon honey
11 - Fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
# How To Make It:
01 - In a large mixing bowl, gently combine the cubed watermelon, peach slices, blueberries (if using), and sliced red onion.
02 - In a small bowl, whisk together the extra-virgin olive oil, lime juice, honey, a pinch of salt, and a few grinds of black pepper until emulsified.
03 - Drizzle the dressing over the fruit mixture and toss gently with a large spoon or tongs, taking care not to break apart the delicate watermelon cubes.
04 - Scatter the crumbled feta, chopped mint, and sliced basil over the salad. Toss lightly to distribute evenly without crushing the cheese.
05 - Transfer the salad to a serving platter or bowl. Garnish with additional herbs and extra feta if desired. Serve immediately while fresh and chilled.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- The sweetness of peak season fruit against salty feta is the kind of contrast that makes people close their eyes when they take a bite.
- Zero cooking means your kitchen stays cool and you get to spend those extra minutes outside with a cold drink instead of hovering over a stove.
02 -
- Do not assemble this more than thirty minutes before serving or the watermelon will weep and pool liquid across the bottom of the platter.
- Chilling the watermelon and peaches before cutting makes a huge difference in how refreshing each bite tastes.
03 -
- Cut the watermelon slightly larger than the peaches so the softer fruit does not disappear when you toss everything together.
- Always add the feta last and toss it the fewest times possible because once it starts to crumble into tiny bits it loses its beautiful presence on the plate.