Ina Garten’s Juicy Feta Watermelon Salad Recipe for Summer

Ina Garten’s feta watermelon salad transforms ordinary summer ingredients into a vibrant culinary symphony that dances across your taste buds.

Cool, crisp watermelon mingles with salty, creamy cheese in a refreshing medley that challenges traditional salad expectations.

Bright herbs add unexpected complexity to this delightful dish.

Mediterranean-inspired ingredients create a harmonious balance of textures and flavors that feel simultaneously elegant and relaxed.

Light and zesty, this combination proves how simple components can elevate a basic recipe into something extraordinary.

Bold yet delicate, the salad represents a perfect balance between sweet and savory elements.

Each bite promises a delightful sensory experience that will impress your guests and tantalize your palate: dig in and savor the magic.

Why Ina Garten Feta Watermelon Salad Is Summer in a Bowl

• Burst with Refreshing Flavor: Experience an explosion of sweet watermelon balanced perfectly with tangy feta, creating a mouthwatering summer taste sensation that dances on your taste buds.
• Elevate Simple Summer Ingredients: Transform basic produce into a stunning dish that looks elegant and sophisticated, proving gourmet cooking doesn't require complicated techniques or hard-to-find ingredients.
• Quick and Effortless Preparation: Whip up this vibrant salad in just minutes, making it ideal for last-minute gatherings, picnics, or when you need a quick, impressive side dish that requires minimal cooking skills.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Delight guests of all ages with a recipe that combines unexpected flavor combinations, offering a perfect balance of sweet, salty, and herbaceous notes that appeal to different palates.

What You’ll Need for Ina Garten Feta Watermelon Salad

• Watermelon: Sweet summer fruit that provides a juicy base for the salad, best when ripe and seedless.
• Red Onion: Sharp ingredient that adds a crisp texture and bright flavor contrast to the sweet watermelon.
• Fresh Mint Leaves: Herbaceous element that brings a cool, refreshing note to the salad.

• Feta Cheese: Tangy Greek cheese that provides a salty and creamy component, preferably high-quality and crumbly.

• Balsamic Vinegar, Balsamic Glaze: Optional dark, sweet-tangy liquid that adds depth and complexity to the salad's overall taste profile.

How to Mix Ina Garten Feta Watermelon Salad Just Right

Step 1: Gather Fresh Ingredients

• Watermelon
• Red onion
• Fresh mint leaves
• Feta cheese
• Balsamic vinegar or balsamic glaze (optional)

Step 2: Prepare Watermelon

Wash the watermelon and cut into bite-sized cubes, ensuring even and clean pieces.

Step 3: Chop Supporting Ingredients

Finely dice the red onion into small, uniform pieces.

Gently tear or chop mint leaves to release their aromatic oils.

Step 4: Combine Base Ingredients

In a spacious mixing bowl, gently place watermelon cubes.

Add chopped red onion and mint leaves.

Step 5: Crumble Cheese

Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese evenly across the watermelon mixture.

Step 6: Add Optional Drizzle

If desired, lightly drizzle balsamic vinegar or glaze over the salad.

Step 7: Toss With Care

Using soft, gentle movements, carefully mix all ingredients.

Ensure watermelon cubes remain intact while distributing flavors.

Step 8: Chill and Serve

Refrigerate salad for 15-20 minutes to enhance flavor blending.

Serve cold as a refreshing summer side dish or light appetizer.

Best Tips for Ina Garten Feta Watermelon Salad Perfection

• Slice Watermelon Strategically: Aim for uniform 1-inch cubes to ensure every bite has the perfect texture and makes the salad look professionally prepared.
• Balance Balsamic Beautifully: Drizzle balsamic glaze sparingly to enhance flavors without overwhelming the delicate watermelon and feta combination.
• Select Premium Feta: Opt for high-quality, creamy feta that crumbles easily and adds a tangy richness to the fresh salad.
• Chill for Maximum Flavor: Refrigerate the salad for 30 minutes before serving to let the ingredients meld and create a refreshingly cool summer dish.
• Serve Immediately Fresh: Prepare the salad just before eating to maintain the watermelon's crisp texture and prevent it from becoming watery.

How to Store Ina Garten Feta Watermelon Salad Properly

• Airtight Container Method: Transfer the salad into a sealed glass container with a tight-fitting lid. Separate delicate ingredients like mint leaves and feta from the watermelon to prevent soggy texture and maintain crisp freshness.
• Quick Consumption Strategy: Enjoy the salad within 24 hours for the most vibrant flavors and optimal crunch. Refrigerate immediately after preparing to preserve the ingredients' quality and prevent bacterial growth.
• Ingredient Preservation Technique: Keep feta and mint separately in small compartments within the main container. This approach prevents moisture transfer and maintains each ingredient's distinct texture and flavor profile, ensuring a delightful salad experience when you're ready to serve.

Ways to Switch Up Ina Garten Feta Watermelon Salad

• Summer Cucumber Companion: Replace watermelon with crisp, diced cucumber for a refreshing alternative that maintains the salad's cool profile.
• Mediterranean Herb Garden: Introduce chopped basil and oregano alongside mint to create a more intense herb-driven flavor experience.
• Greek Island Upgrade: Add kalamata olives and a sprinkle of dried oregano to intensify the Mediterranean character of the salad.
• Protein Power Pack: Incorporate grilled chicken or shrimp for a substantial meal that transforms the light salad into a complete protein-rich dish.

Ina Garten Feta Watermelon Salad Closing Thoughts

Watermelon salad emerges as summer’s quintessential refreshment, blending Mediterranean charm with sweet-savory complexity.

Ina Garten’s recipe delivers a sophisticated yet simple culinary experience that delights palates.

Mediterranean ingredients dance together, creating balanced harmony between crisp watermelon and salty feta.

Cool mint leaves provide unexpected depth, elevating this classic combination.

Balsamic drizzle adds sophisticated nuance, transforming ordinary ingredients into extraordinary moments.

Succulent bites will spark conversations, inspire kitchen adventures, and make you the star of any gathering – so snap that photo, share this recipe, and let friends marvel at your culinary prowess.

Ina Garten Feta Watermelon Salad Recipe

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4.7 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s feta watermelon salad combines Mediterranean flavors with summer’s freshest ingredients. Salty feta, juicy watermelon, and crisp mint create a refreshing dish you’ll crave on warm afternoons.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 6 cups (1.4 liters) cubed watermelon (1-inch cubes recommended)
• ½ red onion, finely chopped
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) feta cheese, crumbled

Herbs and Flavoring:

• ⅓ cup (80 milliliters) fresh mint leaves, roughly chopped

Dressing:

• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) balsamic vinegar or balsamic glaze (optional)

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Instructions

1. In a spacious mixing vessel, gently cube fresh watermelon into uniform 1-inch (2.54 centimeters) pieces, ensuring clean and precise cuts.
2. Finely dice the red onion into delicate, translucent slivers, creating a sharp contrast against the watermelon’s vibrant red hue.
3. Delicately chop fresh mint leaves, releasing their aromatic essence and preparing them to infuse the salad with a bright, herbaceous note.
4. Scatter the ingredients into the mixing bowl, allowing the watermelon, onion, and mint to create a visually appealing mosaic of colors and textures.
5. Crumble the feta cheese with light, precise movements, distributing the creamy white cheese fragments evenly across the salad surface.
6. For an optional flavor enhancement, drizzle premium balsamic vinegar or a rich balsamic glaze in a graceful, circular motion over the salad components.
7. Using a soft, folding technique, gently combine the ingredients, ensuring the watermelon cubes remain intact and the flavors intermingle delicately.
8. Chill the salad for 10 to 15 minutes in the refrigerator to allow the flavors to harmonize and develop a refreshing, crisp profile.
9. Serve immediately in a chilled serving dish, presenting a vibrant and elegant summer salad that tantalizes both the eyes and palate.

Notes

• Chill the salad in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to enhance its refreshing flavor and let the ingredients meld together perfectly.
• Crumble fresh feta cheese generously, ensuring each bite has that creamy, tangy goodness that complements the watermelon’s sweetness.
• Drizzle balsamic glaze sparingly, creating delicate swirls that add a rich, complex note without overwhelming the salad’s natural flavors.
• Slice watermelon into uniform 1-inch cubes for easy eating and an attractive presentation that makes every serving look appetizing.
• Serve immediately after chilling to maintain the crisp texture and vibrant colors that make this salad so irresistible.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: Mediterranean

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 80 kcal
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 4 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 10 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 10 mg