Marinated feta and watermelon salad is a recipe that just bursts with flavour. It goes really well with roasted chicken or pork so it’s perfect for your Sunday roast menu. This salad is incredibly versatile too and can be easily adapted to your liking.
Something magical happens when you combine fruits and vegetables. The freshness and sweetness of the fruits work so well with the earthly tones of humble vegetables. This salad does exactly that and brings some delicious summer flavours to your plate.
I guess the majority of you think watermelon is a summer fruit. Well yes, on those days when the heat reaches 30+ degrees, the only thing you want is to consume as much fluid as possible. Of course, watermelon is just perfect for this. However, this year in London we haven’t been so lucky with the sunshine and the poor old watermelon has been a little bit forgotten.
So, I’ve tried to bring this fruit back to our tables by adding it into a refreshing salad dish, together with marinated feta. And it worked! This salad recipe quickly became our household favourite and I serve it pretty much every Sunday with our roast meal.
I hope you’ll enjoy it as much as we do.
Marinated Feta and Watermelon Salad: Ingredients
To make this recipe you’ll need just a handful of ingredients. But they all play an important role in creating a cohesive and satisfying dish.
Here they are:
- Feta cheese is the star of this dish, contributing its creamy, tangy, and slightly salty flavour. Its texture contrasts beautifully with the juicy watermelon.
- Olive oil is like a carrier for Italian herbs, lemon zest, and chilli flakes. It infuses the feta with rich, fruity undertones and helps meld the flavours together.
- Dried Italian herbs bring a fragrant blend of flavours to the feta.
- Lemon zest adds a bright and zesty note.
- Chilli flakes provide a subtle hint of heat.
- Rocket has a peppery, slightly bitter flavour that creates magic in this summery salad.
- Mini cucumbers provide a refreshing crunch and a mild, watery element.
- Cherry tomatoes add bursts of sweetness and acidity.
- Green olives contribute a briny, salty note that harmonises with the marinated feta.
- Watermelon is the heart of this salad, delivering juicy sweetness and a refreshing quality that balances the savoury elements.
Marinated Feta and Watermelon Salad: Variations
Salad is a dish that can help you ‘clean’ the fridge and cupboards. You can add all the odd bits you’ve got lying around, and it still works.
So if you’re on a kitchen clear-out mission, I’d like to share some ideas on how to improve this simple recipe.
- Minty fresh. Add a handful of fresh mint leaves to the salad for a burst of cool, refreshing flavour that complements the watermelon.
- Balsamic glaze drizzle. Instead of using the olive oil from the feta marinade, drizzle the salad with a balsamic glaze for a tangy-sweet contrast that elevates the dish.
- Go nuts. Sprinkle toasted pine nuts, walnuts or pecans over the salad for a satisfying crunch and nutty flavour that pairs well with the other ingredients.
- Grilled watermelon. If you like experimenting and trying new things, grill the watermelon slices for a slightly smoky flavour that adds depth to the salad.
This is just a handful of options, but feel free to combine and experiment to create a marinated feta and watermelon salad that works with whatever ingredients you have. Each variation brings its own spin to the dish, ensuring a delightful surprise with every bite.
If you’re looking for more salad recipes, give these dishes a go:
Tomato Salad with Burrata and Homemade Pesto
Fruit Salad with Honey and Poppy Seeds
Fried Chorizo and Potato Salad
Recipe
Ingredients
Marinated Feta:
1 block of feta cheese
200g olive oil
1 teaspoon Italian herbs
1 lemon (zest)
Pinch of chilli flakes
Salad:
50g rocket
2 mini cucumbers
10 cherry tomatoes
10 green olives
150g watermelon
Method
Prepare the marinated feta:
- Cut the feta cheese into small triangles. Place the feta pieces in a clean and dry glass container with a lid.
- In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, dried Italian herbs, lemon zest and chilli flakes. Mix well to infuse the flavours.
- Pour the prepared marinade over the feta pieces in the glass container. Ensure that the feta is fully submerged in the marinade.
- Seal the glass container with the lid and place it in the fridge. Allow the feta to marinate for at least 2-4 hours, or preferably overnight.
Prepare the salad feta:
- Place the rocket on a serving plate.
- Cut the rest of the ingredients into small pieces and place them on top of the rocket.
- Take the feta cheese out of the fridge and place it on top of the salad. Drizzle some marinade on top.
