Description
This refreshing Watermelon Salad with Feta and Honey-Lime Dressing combines sweet, juicy fruits with tangy feta cheese and a zesty honey-lime dressing. Perfect for a light summer side or a vibrant party dish, this salad is bursting with color, flavor, and texture.
Ingredients
Dressing
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon lime zest
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
Salad
- 8 cups seedless watermelon, cut into bite-sized cubes
- 2 cups strawberries, halved
- 1 cup blueberries
- 1 cup blackberries
- 2 medium peaches, cut into bite-sized wedges or cubes
- 1 cup sweet cherries, pitted and halved
- 1 cup feta cheese, cut into small cubes
- 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves
Instructions
- Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, fresh lime juice, honey, Dijon mustard, lime zest, kosher salt, and a few grinds of black pepper until the dressing is smooth and well combined, creating a bright and balanced flavor base for the salad.
- Prepare the watermelon: Cut rounds of watermelon, remove the skin, then cut into neat, bite-sized cubes using a grid pattern to ensure uniformity and easy eating.
- Prepare the rest of the fruit: Wash all berries thoroughly. Halve the strawberries and cherries, pit the cherries carefully to remove stones, and cut the peaches into wedges or cubes. This preparation brings out their natural sweetness and color.
- Arrange the salad: In a large serving bowl or plate, combine the watermelon cubes, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, peaches, cherries, cubed feta cheese, and torn fresh mint leaves, layering the ingredients evenly.
- Add dressing: Pour the honey-lime dressing evenly over the fruit mixture. Gently toss everything together to coat the fruit lightly with the dressing, taking care not to crush the delicate watermelon and berries.
- Chill for best flavor: Refrigerate the dressed salad for about 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the dressing to lightly coat the fruit while keeping the texture fresh and crisp.
- Garnish and serve: Before serving, garnish with a few extra mint leaves for a fresh aroma and an appealing presentation.
Notes
- Use fresh, ripe fruits for the best flavor and sweetness balance.
- Be gentle when tossing to avoid bruising the delicate berries and watermelon.
- This salad is best served chilled; refrigerate for at least 15 minutes before serving.
- For a vegan version, omit the feta cheese or substitute with a plant-based cheese alternative.
- Adjust honey amount in dressing to taste, depending on sweetness of the fruit.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
