Let’s get out there!
There’s a whole lotta living to be done out in this gorgeous world.
When there’s lots of living to be done outdoors… that typically means that kitchen time is at a minimum. ย Sunshine, sandals and cocktails is the zone. ย Next to the stove… not ideal unless your stove is outdoors next to the sandal and cocktail people.
Incidentally… you might want to perfect your summer cough now. ย I’m not suggesting that you call in sick on a Friday and make your very own three day weekend. ย That would be totally irresponsible. ย But, well… those summer coughs can get nasty and I’m pretty sure the only cure is picnickingย and wave rushing.
… I’m just sayin’.
Let’s make it easy.
Fresh, chilled watermelon is sliced and diced. ย A big chunk of fresh feta cheese is crumbled. ย Fresh mint is chopped. ย And sesame seeds are sprinkled.
Have you ever combined watermelon and feta cheese? ย It’s totally the thing to do. ย Sweet and juicy watermelon is wonderfully complimented by salty feta cheese. ย Mint is an awesome herbal element, and sesame seeds are the addition of my artist friend, Fay. ย This salad makes my mouth thirsty and quenches my thirst all at the same time. ย Totally weird and true.
It’s fuel.
Let’s!!
Watermelon Feta & Mint Salad
serves many or few
Dice as much watermelon as you’re in the mood to eat or share. ย Sprinkle the watermelon generously with sheep’s milk feta cheese. ย Coarsely chop fresh mint leaves and sprinkle on top. ย I also love a good sprinkling of black sesame seeds. ย For a super sweet watermelon treat, add a drizzle of honey.
Enjoy at the beach, in the sun, preferably wearing sunscreen. ย
94 Responses
Perfect for a summer dessert. made this last weekend for end of summer party & talk about deliciousnessโฆ this saladโs refreshing made it. highly recommend when you want to feel fresh fruit decadence. I had featured u in the post of Top 7 Super Yummy Fruit Recipes on AllFreshRecipes,expect ur more posts!
We make this salad minus sesame seeds with honey, lime juice, olive oil & shallot dressing but we also chop a fennel bulb in it. SO good!
I can’t wait take this pie. My grandson will love inthe really likes peach or blueberry peach pie. Thanks. Dell
This recipes very good,that’s why I am looking for a peach blueberry pie .please. Dell
A great dish for summer. I had this for dinner, but substituted the sesame seeds for pine nuts & I spiced them up by roasting them with cayenne pepper. It hit the spot.
Wonderful combo here. Watermelon is so mellow. Great to find you here, bags of inspiration. Happiness, lee (www.thebeachhousekitchen.wordpress.com)
Like the above commenter, jules, I’m a long time reader, but first time commenter. I was searching high and low for a quick side dish to make for a bbq, and found this in my google reader feed.
I couldn’t find the right sesame seeds and I added lime juice as suggested by shalene and ann, but it was perfect! I assembled it at a friends, and everyone loved it! They kept going back for more.
It’s one of the reasons I love your blog so much, the seemingly basic yet delicious takes on ingredients and favorite snacks. Anyway, just wanted to say, thanks! And keep up the awesome work!
I made this last night and my boyfriend was floored! He couldn’t believe that something so simple was SO good. Thanks for the great tip! Keep ’em coming!
I love this with red onion finely sliced and soaked in lime juice. They go to almost hot pink ribbons.
Hello, Joy! I’ve been reading forever, but I think this is my first comment. This is the only way I can eat watermelon–though I think I might be liking it more so we’ll see–but I also like to eat it with an aged blue cheese. I know, sounds crazy, but it’s so sweet/savory/awesomesauce. I add a splash of olive oil and champagne vinegar with the mint, too.
Too. Sick. To. Comment. (Cough)
you should try it with a drizzle of lemon juice – i make it like this all the time minus the sesame seeds
I think you should come to Florida and we’ll eat watermelon salads in the sun!
I make this salad each summer. However, I add a simple dressing made of lime juice and sriracha sauce. yummmmm
I love fay. I love sesame seeds. And I love you!
I’ve never been huge on watermelon just because it is so mind-bogglingly sweet, but I think I’d really like it with the contrast of feta! Pretty pictures too – makes me want to go to the beach!
There was a version of this in a Nigella cookbook, and my mom and I used to make it every summer for special occasions and parties.
This looks so deliciously satisfying! perfect summer treat to enjoy in a sunny backyard :) Or wave-rushing!
hmm I’ve never tried this combination :))
Bought a melon and fresh mint today – this is definitely happening tomorrow. Today I’m all set with a rather huge stack of pancakes :D
This combo is so, so good. I made something like this a few weeks ago but added strawberries. Thanks for sharing!
Oh I MUST try this – making my mouth water – sounds delicious :))
A friend made something similar for my birthday picnic once and it was definitely in the yum-zone. She also squeezed a bit of lime juice over it, which you could totally do to add a bit of zing! I love the black sesame you added though- totally pretty looking and tasting I’m sure. :)
I love how simple this is…yet fancy. If that makes any sense at all :)
Here’s the thing…watermelon freaks me out because every now and then you get a bad bite.
A terrible, mealy, grimy, smoosh in your mouth, gross you out bite.
Good watermelon is perfect…bad watermelon is just so yuck.
That said, your recipes have yet to fail me, so I’m tentatively willing to give this a try. But I must go on the record and say that I’ve got my reservations about our cousin Watermelon. Seedy guy.
Joy, you are just DELIGHTFUL. Thank you for the inspiration… can you guess what I’ll be doing with the BIG HONKIN’ watermelon I just brought home??? I had just planned on cutting it up and eating it as usual; but how can I now?!? After seeing the GORGEOUSLY DELICIOUS watermelon salad you made, I must now go out and find me some sheep’s milk feta and black sesame seeds… Then I’ll have to work on coming down with a cough by Friday… ;-)
On a curious note: Is sheep’s milk feta more creamy and less tart than most other fetas?
i love watermelon paired with herbs – mint, basil or cilantro in salads. this looks so good… perfect for the summer… we are just through with a grueling summer in india and enjoying the first of the rains! did i tell you i love your cat
Mixing feta and watermelon: on my summer list of things to-do. It seems a little eyebrow raising, but I’m still willing to try.
I’m not a fan of watermelon (scandalous, I know) but I suspect the feta could make it tolerable. I must try this.
I just had a watermelon/feta/cucumber salad at a wedding . . . and it was awesome! I think I’ll take this on.
Nigella Lawson has a great version of it, too.
One of my favorites for the summer, yum!
One of my fav ways to enjoy watermelon!
I can’t wait to try this salad and I have no need for a summer cough being a teacher! Waves, here I come!
I may have perfected my summer cough and made the best of it by “being sick” last Friday. If this ever happens to you, it turns out that sun soaking for too many hours, eating hella watermelon, and secretly enjoying a perfect day (aka not tweeting about it) is a painless cure for any summer as-needed illness. I’ll have to try this recipe the next time I’m struck with that summer cough. :)
Perfect! Fresh and juicy, yum! I’m craving for wave crushing ^^
just made that this weekend! But didn’t try the sesame seeds … a note for next time!
I’m embarrassed to say I haven’t had ANY watermelon yet this season!! This sounds delicious though. I love watermelon and feta together – with a touch of honey sounds perfect!!
These are also delicious as appetizers. A piece of watermelon, feta, and mint on a toothpick is perfect for a party.
I made this for a 4th of July party last year and served it up in the watermelon shell, drizzled with balsamic glaze. Divine!
Seems like people are raving about the watermellon/feta combo, which I haven’t tried but I couldn’t possibly see this as anything other than fabulous. Looks so crisp and refreshing! I’d love to take a Friday off, make a huge batch of this salad, slam it in tupperware and head to the beach! :)
Deliciousness!! Your kitty is beautiful and I love the moccasins!
oh my goodness that looks so refreshing! there’s nothing like watermelon! yum!
Rush those waves….just rush them!
this is how we live!!
I don’t know if I have it in me to try this recipe. I can tell you that I definitely have it in me to live this summer right though!
Love it- great combo! Now need to get on the wave-rushing!
get out there and get in it!
Love it! I know what I’m having for lunch today! And tomorrow, probably…and the day after, maybe. Thank you, Joy!
Only problem: I have a hard tme combining watermelon with anything but…more watermelon ;)
I have next Monday off for Canada Day…so it sounds like you’re suggesting that I call in sick on Friday and make myself a FOUR day weekend. Oh Joy, you’re such a good influence. ;)
Def. making this salad – looks so refreshing!
Watermelon is Summer in a bite. This salad is Summer in four ingredients, and I love them all!
I’m a huge watermelon and feta fan. I need to add mint but always shy away because of how strong it can be. I just need to take the leap.
Can I come live with you?
I make a similar salad. Great taste combo!
Would you believe I just made this salad today! I also added olives, blueberries, and onions. Weird combination, but excellent. (But your pictures are prettier!)
I love the classic watermelon / feta / mint combo, with just a dash of sea salt. Yum!
(Have you ever tried grilling watermelon and then topping it with feta? Game. Changer.)
sounds superb!
The perfect salad for summer! Great job, Joy!!
LOVE the pictures with the kitty!
Omg none of those things in the house, but this warrants a special trip to the store!
I’ve never tried watermelon and feta before, but I sprinkle salt on my watermelon before I eat it anyway, so I’m sure it’s just heavenly!
My grandfather has been adding salt to his watermelon since I was tiny. I always thought it was so strange. I’m sure the feta has the same affect – he swears by the combo! I’ve never really been able to wrap my taste buds around the idea of it until you suggested honey as well. . . THAT sounds delicious!
YUM. Sounds like perfect picnic food.
I would have never thought of combining those ingredients together. What a perfect idea!
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I love this salad! It’s also so pretty to serve! Thanks for sharing your beautiful photos with us.
this is so unique! Love it Joy!
I have never tried the watermelon + feta combination: it sounds really really great.
Can’t wait to get my hands on some juicy watermelon tonight to try this awesome recipe!
summer seems to have bypassed the British Isles this year :( but that looks delicious and refreshing and I love the colours!
This is one of my favouite dishes in summer..
Mmm, looks really delicious! I’ve got to try this salad soon ;) Hugs from Anette in Norway :)
Lovely pictures! And that is my favourite salad, it sooo good! <3//
This looks awesome, and will be a perfect thing to use some of the massive mint shrub that is growing itself on my balcony!
You must try this salad topped with balsamic vinegar. Its unbelievable, the tastes of the watermelon and vinegar combine to form something that is completely unlike the sum of their parts. Its amazing, and a summer favorite at this house.
I love watermelon and one of the best things about summer is…watermelon season.
That, and San Diego beach weather! Glad you’re enjoying SoCal weather, too!
Salty, sweet, refreshing…this is sort of perfect. Without the “sort of” part.
Amazing salad Joy! Now I just need the sun and the beach and I’m all set. :)