Easy Watermelon Basil Salad with Feta and Honey Glaze

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This Watermelon Basil Salad with Feta and Honey Glaze is the perfect summer side dish for your next BBQ. The juicy watermelon, tangy feta, and sweet blueberries combine to create an explosion of flavor with each bite. This refreshing salad is easy to make and is always a crowd pleaser at picnics and barbecues.

Refreshing watermelon salad in a white serving bowl, topped with a fresh basil leaf, with sliced lime beside it.

As we get closer to summer, it's time for a lighter summer side dish - and one of my favorite recipes: watermelon cucumber salad! It's perfect for hot summer days!

This is the perfect summer meal if you want something light but filling. This salad is perfect for any summer gathering. I like to serve it along with my Miracle Whip Coleslaw, Carrot Salad With Lemon, and Creamy Cucumber Salad.

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⭐ Why You Will Love This Recipe
🍉 Ingredients & Substitutions
🍈 How To Pick A Watermelon
🍉 How To Cut A Watermelon
🍉 How to Make Watermelon Feta Basil Salad
🍈 Serving Suggestions
💭 Expert Tips
🥑 Additions & variations
📋 Recipe FAQs
🌽 More easy summer salad recipes
Easy Watermelon Basil Salad with Feta
👩🏻‍🍳 Meet The Author
💬 Comments

⭐ Why You Will Love This Recipe

Refreshing: The sweet fruit flavors of watermelon combine with the honey lime dressing for amazing flavor.
Colorful: This mix of watermelon, feta cheese, blueberries, and basil creates a beautiful presentation.
Versatile: Serve it as a side dish with your favorite grilled meats and veggies, or even as a light lunch. It's perfect for a summer picnic or a casual backyard BBQ.
Easy To Make: This watermelon salad recipe comes together in just a few minutes and only requires a handful of ingredients.

🍉 Ingredients & Substitutions

The ingredients for watermelon salad prepared and placed in white bowls on a white countertop.

Watermelon: I used a seedless watermelon, so I didn't have to worry about picking out seeds.
Cucumber: I used English cucumbers, but any cucumbers will work, including Persian cucumbers.
Red Onion: I used thinly-sliced red onion.
Blueberries: Fresh blueberries add sweetness. You could also use haskap berries.
Fresh Basil: Fresh basil leaves add a ton of flavor. I do not recommend using dried basil.
Fresh Lime Juice and Honey: Fresh lime juice is best, but you can use bottled if that's what you have. And if you don't have lime juice, use lemon juice! You can also use agave syrup instead of honey.

See the printable recipe card below for exact measurements and a complete list of ingredients.

🍈 How To Pick A Watermelon

Watermelons should have a symmetrical shape without any lumps or bumps.
Watermelon should have an evenly-colored rind with no white or yellow spots.
The watermelon's underside (the part resting on the ground) should be creamy yellow, not white or green.
Lift the fruit and give it a gentle knock with your fist. It’s likely ripe and ready to eat if you hear a deep hollow sound.

🍉 How To Cut A Watermelon

To cut a watermelon into cubes, place the watermelon on a large cutting board. Using a sharp knife, slice off the top and bottom of the watermelon to create two flat surfaces. Then, stand the watermelon on one end and use the knife to carefully cut off the rind in strips, following the curve of the fruit. Cut away as much of the rind as possible, leaving only the juicy red flesh.

Once the rind has been removed, cut the watermelon into slices about 1 inch thick. Cut each slice into cubes by making vertical and horizontal cuts with the knife, creating a grid pattern. Use a spoon or your hands to transfer the watermelon cubes into a large mixing bowl.

🍉 How to Make Watermelon Feta Basil Salad

Quick overview

Cut watermelon into cubes or balls.
Add cucumber, red onion, feta cheese, and basil.
Add blueberries and gently toss.
Toss with homemade dressing.
Serve immediately.

Step by step instructions

Cubed watermelon in a large stainless steel mixing bowl.

Step 1: Cut the fresh watermelon into 1-inch cubes and place in a large mixing bowl.

The diced cucumber added to the large bowl of watermelon and onion.

Step 2: Cut red onion and cucumber into small, bite-sized pieces and add them to the bowl.

Pro Tip: Use a melon baller to make balls instead of cubes. This works especially well if you want to serve the salad in a watermelon bowl. (See Serving Suggestions below).

Crumbled feta added to the watermelon salad ingredients.

Step 3: Crumble the feta cheese over the top of the salad.

Chopped basil added to the bowl with the watermelon.

Step 4: Tear or chop the basil leaves into small pieces, adding them to the bowl with the watermelon. Use a large spoon to toss the ingredients.

Honey lime dressing being poured over top of the ingredients for the watermelon salad.

Step 5: Whisk the lime juice and honey in a small bowl. Add blueberries to the bowl and drizzle the dressing over the top.

The ingredients for the watermelon cucumber salad mixed with a large spoon.

Step 6: Toss gently to combine and transfer to a large salad bowl. For best results, serve immediately. However, you can cover and store it in the fridge for up to 30 minutes before serving. Drizzle with extra honey, if desired.

🍈 Serving Suggestions

One fun way to serve this summery salad is to hollow out a large watermelon and use it as a bowl. Cut off the top of the watermelon, scoop out the flesh to use in the salad, and then fill the hollowed-out watermelon with the finished salad. This makes for a beautiful centerpiece.

Another idea is to serve this delicious salad in individual cups or jars. Layer the ingredients in a large mason jar for a pretty, easy-to-grab snack. Top with a drizzle of honey lime dressing.

💭 Expert Tips

Use fresh, ripe watermelon. Seedless are the best varieties, so you don't have to worry about seeds.
Dice the cucumbers into small cubes and mince the red onions finely.
This salad does not keep well because the watermelon can quickly become soggy after adding the dressing. For best results, enjoy this salad soon after it has been prepared.

🥑 Additions & variations

Add chopped avocado to the salad.
Switch up the cheese and use goat cheese instead of feta.
If you are not a fan of basil, try using different fresh herbs - one of my favorites is fresh mint leaves.
Add sliced jalapeños for a spicy kick.
Throw in some chopped walnuts for added texture.
Add cherry tomatoes for an extra pop of color.

Honey being drizzled over the refreshing watermelon salad in a white bowl.

📋 Recipe FAQs

Can I make this watermelon feta salad ahead of time?

I do not recommend making it ahead of time. However, if necessary, you can prep all the ingredients and store everything separately in airtight containers in the fridge. When ready to serve, add the ingredients to a large bowl, drizzle with dressing, and toss gently. This will prevent everything from becoming soggy.

Can I substitute the feta cheese for another type of cheese?

Absolutely. If you're not a fan of feta, try substituting it with goat cheese or blue cheese.

How do I store leftovers?

To store leftovers of this salad, place it in an airtight container and refrigerate. It will only last for about a day, and be sure to discard any ingredients that have gone bad.

🌽 More easy summer salad recipes

If you tried this recipe for Watermelon Basil Salad with Feta Cheese or any other recipe on my website, please leave a star rating 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thank you! 🙂

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👩🏻‍🍳 Meet The Author

Meet Jeri, a self-taught home cook with over 40 years of cooking experience who decided to start a second career as a full-time food blogger. She is the recipe creator, writer, photographer, and creator of Winding Creek Ranch. Her mission is to make your life easier by sharing delicious recipes your family will love.

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