Strawberry season is winding down around here, but other summer goodies such as blueberries and raspberries are starting to show up at the Farmers’ Market. Yay! It’s my favorite time of the year because I am a huge fan of fresh berries! When I saw first blueberries at the market yesterday I immediately thought about some kind of refreshing, healthy summer salad, and so this Blueberry Watermelon Feta Salad was born. Hot days are approaching, so light and juicy meals are your best remedy for them!
Watermelon is the ultimate heat beater for me. It’s watery, juicy, and endlessly refreshing—the absolute peak summer fruit. I thought about combining blueberries and watermelon and fell in love with the idea immediately. And I love adding feta to salads because it adds so much flavor (you should definitely try these star fruit salad or cantaloupe salad, by the way). The saltiness balances out the sweet berries and the crunch of the melon, while the walnuts and mint give everything a fantastic finishing touch. It’s easily one of my favorite things to make all season long!
That’s how this yummilicious salad was born. Blueberries + Watermelon + Feta + Walnuts + Mint Leaves. Epic? Drizzle everything with lemon vinaigrette. Now it’s epic.
How to Pick the Best Watermelon at the Market
Finding a great watermelon can feel like a guessing game, but a few helpful checks at the farm stand make all the difference. First, flip the melon over and look for the field spot—the patch where it rested on the ground while ripening. You want that spot to be a rich, deep yellow or creamy orange, which means it sat on the vine long enough to get sweet. If it’s white or pale yellow, keep looking. Next, give the melon a firm tap with your knuckles. A ripe one will give off a deep, hollow sound rather than a dull thud.
The Mediterranean Roots of Sweet and Salty Pairings
Pairing juicy, sweet fruit with sharp, salty cheese is an ancient tradition across the Mediterranean basin. Long before modern refrigerators existed, coastal cultures realized that balancing opposing flavor profiles kept meals exciting during sweltering summer months. Greek and Levantine tables frequently brought together fresh summer melons, figs, or stone fruit with brined cheeses like feta, balancing the rich, salty bite with natural fruit sugars. This salad leans right into that time-tested tradition, pairing modern berry favorites with classic flavor combinations that have satisfied hungry diners for generations.
Preventing a Watery Bowl: My Top Drainage Tip
Watermelon is roughly ninety-two percent water, which means slicing it up can easily turn your bowl into a swimming pool if you aren’t careful. Nobody wants a diluted dressing at the bottom of their plate! To prevent this, toss your cubed watermelon with a tiny pinch of salt and let it sit in a colander over the sink for about ten to fifteen minutes before assembling. The salt draws out excess surface moisture without altering the crunch. Pat the cubes dry with a paper towel, and your dressing will cling right to the fruit instead of washing away.
I am pretty sure this salad will be my favorite this month!
And More…
I’ve shared tons of other delicious recipes with fruit, so don’t forget to check them out while you’re here.
- Strawberry Crunch Cupcakes
- Peanut Butter Raspberry Smoothie
- Healthy Blueberry Zucchini Bread
- Pineapple Avocado Smoothie
- Red Cabbage Salad with Apple
Ingredients
For The Salad:
- 4 cups seedless watermelon , cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 cup feta cheese , cut into small cubes
- 2/3 cup fresh blueberries
- 1/3 cup chopped walnuts , toasted
- 1 tablespoon fresh mint leaves , thinly sliced
For The Lemon Vinaigrette:
- 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon sugar
Instructions
- In a small jar with a lid, combine the lemon juice, white wine vinegar, olive oil, and sugar. Cover and shake until mixed well.
- Gently toss all ingredients together in a large bowl. Divide the salad between 4 plates. Drizzle with the lemon vinaigrette and serve.
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