Fresh Grilled Watermelon Feta Mint Salad
A quick and easy summer salad featuring smoky grilled watermelon, creamy feta cheese, and fresh mint leaves, dressed with a light lime-honey vinaigrette. Perfect for backyard gatherings or a refreshing side dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 minutes
- Total Time: 16 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups watermelon, cut into thick slices or large cubes (seedless preferred)
- 1 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 1/3 cup fresh mint leaves, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 1 teaspoon honey (optional)
- Sea salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, a pinch
Instructions
- Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (about 400°F / 204°C).
- Slice the watermelon into 1-inch thick wedges or large cubes, removing seeds if needed. Pat the pieces dry gently with a paper towel.
- Brush both sides of the watermelon slices lightly with 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil.
- Place the watermelon on the grill and grill for 2-3 minutes per side until clear char marks appear and the texture is slightly softened but not mushy.
- Remove grilled watermelon and let it cool for 5 minutes on a plate.
- In a large bowl, combine the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil, lime juice, honey, salt, and pepper. Whisk well to make a light dressing.
- Cut the cooled watermelon into bite-sized cubes if you grilled wedges. Toss gently in the dressing to coat.
- Add crumbled feta cheese and chopped fresh mint to the bowl. Toss gently to distribute flavors without breaking up the watermelon too much.
- Transfer to a serving platter and garnish with a few whole mint leaves.
Notes
Pat watermelon dry before grilling to prevent steaming and ensure caramelization. Avoid overcrowding the grill and use a light hand with oil to prevent flare-ups. Serve immediately or chill up to one hour. For dairy-free options, substitute feta with marinated tofu or vegan feta.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approximately 1 cup
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 8
- Sodium: 250
- Fat: 11
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Carbohydrates: 10
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 4
Keywords: grilled watermelon salad, summer salad, watermelon feta mint, easy summer recipe, grilled fruit salad, fresh summer salad