Watermelon and Tomato Salad with Feta and Mint
Photography by Victoria Wall Harris
Here’s another recipe that was deep in my archives that I still absolutely love, but needed a photo makeover! This is the time of year when I am furiously trying to maximize my consumption of all things summer. The seasonal window for some of my favorite foods is just too short, especially tomatoes. In my classes July through September, I always feature at least two recipes with the beloved tomato and I beg everyone to enjoy them while they last because fresh tomatoes won’t be appearing in my kitchen until the following summer.
I originally ate a version of this watermelon and tomato salad at a local Greek eatery and immediately copied it at home. It has become hands-down one of my favorite summer salads, especially when I have people over. It is a cinch to prepare and it looks so impressive. How gorgeous are all those colors, especially on a bright white platter?? More importantly, the combination of flavors is like a juicy burst of summer in your mouth. This salad is literally beats the heat since tomatoes, watermelon and mint are all incredibly cooling foods, the former two being especially hydrating, as well.
Are you thinking that adding salty feta cheese and sweet honey to tomatoes and watermelon is a strange combination? I know, I did too, but it’s really amazing. In fact, I am so crazy about this combo that I have done many variations on this salad, substituting peaches for watermelon or beets for tomatoes, and sometimes adding a few baby spinach leaves. I love using non-red tomatoes to contrast the red watermelon, but feel free to use what you have available. I recently made this salad for brunch at my house, but I have brought this to several potlucks, as well as a picnic at the beach. The other night I served this alongside grilled chicken paillard with arugula and everyone was happy, especially me because the entire dinner took less than 30 minutes to put together. This salad is especially friendly since you don’t have to make a dressing. All you do is squeeze, drizzle and sprinkle, which even in the dead heat of summer ain’t so tough.
If you end up making this recipe or any of my recipes, please tag me @pamelasalzman so I can see your beautiful creations! Please stay safe and healthy!
- ¼ of a large watermelon, cut into large chunks
- 3 medium tomatoes (such as heirlooms), cut into wedges
- 4-6 ounces of sheep or goat's milk feta cheese, diced or crumbled (or less cheese if you prefer)
- handful of mint leaves, sliced
- juice of 1 lime
- unrefined, cold-pressed extra-virgin olive oil for drizzling
- raw honey for drizzling (optional but delicious!)
- sea salt to taste (flaky sea salt is great to finish the salad if you have it)
- Place the watermelon and tomatoes on a platter. Scatter the cheese and mint on top.
- Drizzle with lime juice and a little olive oil. Place a fork in a jar of honey and drizzle the honey all over the melon, tomatoes and feta.
- Season with salt just before serving.
My favorite vegan feta is Violife.
22 Comments
[…] Saturday brunch: watermelon and tomato salad with feta […]
Delicious Salad! So many people have asked for this recipe.
So glad you enjoy it!
My family loved it, and we don’t eat cheese-thank you
Cheese is not the be all end all here. Glad you enjoyed it!
Made this last night! Major hit! Thank you Pamela ❤
Made this salad last night for a dinner party…it was so delicious and VERY big hit ! Thank you ❤
Oh, so lovely! Thank you for letting me know. It’s really perfect for any summer meal!
Reminds us of one of our favorite salads from an amazing Manhattan Beach Greek restaurant 🙂 Excited to try it out today!
I was totally inspired by the salad at Petros! Love that place!
I made this salad for dinner tonight. I used grape tomatoes because I didn’t have any other tomatoes. Not only was this salad incredibly simple and fast but it was absolutely delicious. There was not one drop left on the plate. Thank you again for another amazing recipe.
Thanks, Sandy! Grape tomatoes are delicious in this salad — why not!
This is a great and easy salad. Sometimes I do it without the feta (only because I do not have it) and it is still great. Thank you!
Good point for dairy-free people!
Matt and I tried it yesterday and it was so refreshing and delicious. Keep those recipes coming!
So glad to hear that!
I just made this & all my guests simply LOVED it! Thank you!
I’m so glad 🙂
When I first heard of the combination tomato and watermelon I thought “yuk, what a combination” But my husband who is pretty finicky loved it. So I gave it a try. It is now a summertime addiction. We both love it!
I hear you! My whole family loves this salad, although my Mr. Picky, Jr. picks out the feta.
How colorful and festive!….This perfect summer salad will be added to my list of “favorites”.
Believe me, my pictures don’t do it justice. This salad is beautiful!