This refreshing and easy Watermelon Salad with Feta and Basil is perfect for a hot summer day. Packed with hydrating watermelon cubes, tangy feta cheese, fresh basil leaves, and a delicious honey orange vinaigrette, this is a tasty and quick salad to whip-up for gatherings with family and friends.

To me, the combination of sweet watermelon paired with tangy feta, is one that is hard to resist on a hot day. Throw in a tangy and sweet orange honey vinaigrette, and I am swooning.

If you feel the same way, this Easy Watermelon Salad with Feta and Basil is for you!

Well, my boyfriend, my daughter, and her partner graciously offered to help me devour that slice. When we got there, we ordered a Watermelon feta basil salad with lime vinaigrette, a Caesar salad with fried chicken, and Maison Pickle’s infamous honey butter pull-apart bread, before we ordered the chocolate cake. And that salad and bread just blew us away!

While munching on Maison Pickle’s Watermelon Salad, we tried to identify all the ingredients in it, other than those that were listed on the menu. And, that food detectivism (is that even a word?) is what led to this Easy Watermelon Salad with Feta and Basil you see here.

I love this flavor-packed, Easy Watermelon Salad with Feta and Basil because it is:

• Delicious,
• Refreshing,
• Tangy,
• Sweet,
• Fresh,
• Vegetarian,
• Gluten-free,
• A perfect summer side dish,
• Quick (ready in 10 minutes or so), and
• Made with only 10 ingredients (for the salad AND the vinaigrette)!

Ingredients and Substitutions

What are the ingredients needed to make this Easy Watermelon Salad with Feta, Basil, and a Honey Orange Vinaigrette?

The ingredients for the vinaigrette are:

1. Orange
   I used some freshly squeezed orange juice in the dressing. While Maison Pickle’s watermelon salad had a hint of lime juice in the vinaigrette, I opted for some fresh orange juice instead. So, if you prefer, you could use some fresh lime juice instead.
2. Red Wine Vinegar
   We currently have 3 bottles of red wine vinegar hanging out in our pantry, so I used that. However, apple cider vinegar could be used instead.
3. Olive oil
   As for oils in a salad, extra virgin olive oil is hard to beat.
4. Salt
   Regular, iodized table salt is what I used in the watermelon feta salad you see here. But, I do have some fancy flaky sea salt that I have used on other occasions when I have made this watermelon salad recipe.
5. Oregano
   To me, oregano and basil seem to work well together. However, if you have any other fresh herbs like parsley, chives, or rosemary on hand, feel free to use a little bit of those.
6. Honey
   Watermelon tends to be super sweet, so if you would like to eliminate the honey, feel free to do so. I used some because, to me, it balances off the salty feta quite well. If you prefer, you could also use maple syrup or any other zero-calorie sweetener similar to honey, to add a hint of sweetness to the vinaigrette.
   
   And, the ingredients for the salad are:
7. Watermelon
   I came across yellow watermelon at Trader Joe’s recently and used both yellow and red watermelon in this salad for visual appeal. Some people say that yellow watermelon has hints of honey and apricot and tends to be sweeter than red watermelon. But, to be honest, I could not tell the difference in taste between the red and yellow watermelon I got. With that said, there has been many a time that I have made this salad with only red watermelon.
8. Greens
   I used the spring mix of greens sold in most grocery stores. However, you can use whatever fresh greens you love, like peppery arugula (which pairs well with all the flavors in this) or luscious butter lettuce.
9. Feta
   I used Greek feta in this. By the way, did you know that there is a plethora of feta cheese out there? I didn’t until I stumbled on this Bon Appetit article! But, I digress. I love the combination of salty feta cheese with sweet watermelon that is balanced off with that savory, tangy, sweet vinaigrette. However, if you prefer a milder cheese like goat cheese, feel free to use that instead.
10. Basil
    Currently, my vegetable garden is overflowing with basil, so until I use a bunch of basil in pesto, you might see basil pop up in other recipes on here.
    
    And some Honey Orange vinaigrette
    Just a drizzle of this vinaigrette is all that’s needed for a huge flavor boost! If you don’t want to make this honey orange vinaigrette, you could also toss this watermelon feta basil salad with some balsamic vinegar instead.

Much like most of the other recipes I share here, this isn’t one where the ingredients have to be adhered to stringently. This salad can be altered by adding red onion or cucumbers. If you love some texture in here, add in some pistachios. And, for another level of freshness, serve this garnished with some fresh mint as well.

Instructions

This Easy Watermelon Salad with Feta and Basil is so easy and quick to make.

There isn’t a lot of prep involved. You start by adding some of the greens to a large salad bowl. Then, chop up the watermelon and add it to the large bowl. Sometimes, I like to make this look fancy, so I cut up the watermelon into cute bite-sized cubes. Then, make the vinaigrette by adding all the ingredients together and shaking them up until well blended. Pour some of the vinaigrette on the watermelon and greens. Toss in some feta. Sprinkle on the basil and this salad is ready to devour!

Serving Suggestions

This Easy Watermelon Salad with Feta and Basil is perfect to serve cold at barbecues. It is perfect for a hot day and as the first course that can be followed with grilled and BBQed meats, tofu, and veggies.

I would strongly suggest that this salad should be kept in the refrigerator until it is ready to be enjoyed. And, if possible, be placed in a large bowl that can be kept over ice or chilled as much as possible, as the combination of the liquid from the dressing and greens and feta tends to not stay fresh for too long.

Leftovers

While I am a huge fan of eating leftovers, this salad is not one where I would recommend storing the leftovers to enjoy on another day. I would urge you to enjoy as much of this salad as possible when you make it. On day two, this salad can turn into a soppy mess.

Thanks so much for stopping by. If you make this recipe, please let me know in the comments below what you think of it, or tag your creation on social media with @savoryspin or #savoryspin. For more fusion, spice-filled, recipe ideas, please subscribe and follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and/or Pinterest!