• Blog
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Tips & Tools
  • International LOVE
  • Love Notes
  • Shop
  • Powered by MSI Media Group

Engaging stories of love, joy, comfort and friendship with proven scrumptious, healthy recipes, we celebrate LOVE as the secret ingredient for wonderful food!

Watermelon Salad with Feta and Mint

August 13, 2014 by Mary 38 Comments

Watermelon salad with feta and mint on multiple platesI adore this salad. Nothing starts a summer meal better than this Watermelon Salad with Feta and Mint! It’s great to start a lunch or dinner. It’s surprising, refreshing and scrumptious! I love how the black olives tease you to look like seeds but of course, you use a seedless watermelon. The olives are a delicious burst of salty goodness in contrast to the sweet watermelon. I started making this JACQUES PÉPIN recipe (I LOVE his recipes) when it first came out in the June, 2007 issue of Food and Wine magazine. The original recipe says this is for 12 servings but it really worked for just 10 people in our house. It’s easy and relatively fast to make. In the original recipe, Jacques tells you to use a watermelon baller and then throw in the remaining scraps but I prefer my salad to look more uniform so I just cut it into nice chunks. No matter how you cut it, my recommendation is to make this salad now, while the watermelons are ripe, sweet and juicy. Enjoy!

And, don’t forget to comment on my Calphalon Skillet Giveaway post for your chance to win one. This giveaway will end tomorrow, Thursday, at noon. Good luck!!Watermelon salad with feta and mint on a burgundy trimmed plate.!

WATERMELON SALAD WITH FETA AND MINT – Adapted from JACQUES PÉPIN – serves 10 – 12

1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
3 Tbs. fresh lemon juice
2 tsp. kosher salt
1 tsp.Tabasco
1/2 tsp. freshly ground pepper
One 8-lb. seedless watermelon, cut into 1 1/2-inch chunks (10 cups), chilled
1/2 lb. feta cheese, crumbled (2 cups)
1 1/4 cups pitted kalamata olives, coarsely chopped
1 small sweet onion, cut into 1/2-inch dice
1 cup coarsely chopped mint leaves

In a large bowl, whisk the oil, lemon juice, salt, Tabasco and pepper. Add the watermelon, feta, olives and onion and toss gently. Garnish with the mint and serve.

Related

You might also like:

  • Roasted Salmon with Dijon Mustard & Beet Horseradish finished on a platter.Roasted Salmon with Dijon Mustard and Beet Horseradish
  • Roasted Chicken Thighs with Potatoes and Arugula - sideways on a blue platter.Roasted Chicken Thighs with Potatoes and Arugula
  • Vegetable Lasagna with a Side of Pasta
  • mini pumpkins, mini pumpkin centerpiece, halloween edible centerpieceHurricane Sandy, Halloween and New Features
  • Caesar salad topped with croutons and grated cheese on a brown plate.Caesar salad

Filed Under: Dinner, First Course, Lunch, Salads Tagged With: Jacques Pepin recipes, refreshing salad, summer salad, vegetarian salad, watermelon salad, watermelon salad with feta and mint

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Security check- *

CommentLuv badgeShow more posts

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Comments

  1. Amanda says

    August 13, 2014 at 3:44 PM

    This is such a perfect salad for summer. Feta or goat cheese really balances out the flavor of the melon. Yum. Now you have me craving a watermelon salad. Maybe next week! And mint is just such a perfect herb to complement the whole thing. Yum!

    Reply
    • Mary Frances says

      September 18, 2014 at 12:58 AM

      You’re right Amanda! The whole thing just works!! Feta is a little more sturdy than goat cheese – to the other ingredients – if you know what I mean. Hope you had a chance to make it.

      Reply
  2. Wonderlusting says

    August 13, 2014 at 3:50 PM

    This is one of my favourite summer salads. I had it first in Cyprus about 10 years ago and in warm weather it just hits the spot like nothing else. Sometimes I do it with Halloumi instead of feta.
    Wonderlusting recently posted…Weird Food: Slice of Sushi Pizza Anyone?My Profile

    Reply
    • Mary Frances says

      September 18, 2014 at 1:00 AM

      Halloumi would be nice as well!! Eating it all in Cyprus would be even better!

      Reply
  3. Jovina Coughlin says

    August 13, 2014 at 3:57 PM

    Definitely – nothing says summer like watermelon salad.Everything on the plate looks so refreshing.
    Jovina Coughlin recently posted…Italian Cooking with Healthy FatsMy Profile

    Reply
    • Mary Frances says

      September 18, 2014 at 1:00 AM

      Thanks Jovina!! This is an extremely refreshing salad!

      Reply
  4. Evelyne@cheapethniceatz says

    August 13, 2014 at 4:57 PM

    Really love the recipe. Was so skeptic the first time but just delicious. great pics.
    Evelyne@cheapethniceatz recently posted…Bahraini Chicken MachboosMy Profile

    Reply
    • Mary Frances says

      September 18, 2014 at 1:01 AM

      Thanks Evelyne!!

      Reply
  5. Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl says

    August 13, 2014 at 5:53 PM

    We have a bunch of watermelon right now in the garden so this comes at a perfect time!
    Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl recently posted…Homemade Peanut Butter Oreo CookiesMy Profile

    Reply
    • Mary Frances says

      September 18, 2014 at 1:01 AM

      Pamela – I hope you had a chance to make and enjoy this!

      Reply
  6. John@Kitchen Riffs says

    August 13, 2014 at 6:29 PM

    I really need to make this recipe — we have load and loads of watermelon and mint. No feta at the moment, but some goat cheese might work (although I’ll bet the feta is better). Really nice — thanks.
    John@Kitchen Riffs recently posted…Pasta CapreseMy Profile

    Reply
    • Mary Frances says

      September 18, 2014 at 1:04 AM

      Hi John – I really hope you had a chance to make this. And yes, I’m sure the feta is better – the structure of feta goes better with the watermelon chunks, plus the saltiness of the feta makes the watermelon sweeter!

      Reply
  7. apuginthekitchen says

    August 13, 2014 at 7:59 PM

    Besides tomatoes Watermelon is my favorite summer fruit and I love watermelon and feta salad. This is so refreshing and delicious.
    apuginthekitchen recently posted…Long Bean In Tomato Sauce With LinguineMy Profile

    Reply
    • Mary Frances says

      September 18, 2014 at 1:05 AM

      Thanks Suzanne – yes it is so refreshing. Hope you had a chance to make it!!

      Reply
  8. tinywhitecottage says

    August 13, 2014 at 11:32 PM

    This is such a refreshing salad. I love it. A wonderful combination.

    Reply
    • Mary Frances says

      September 18, 2014 at 1:05 AM

      Thank you!!

      Reply
  9. Bam's Kitchen says

    August 14, 2014 at 10:28 PM

    Perfect way to enjoy the season bountiful harvest of watermelons and I love the fresh mint too.
    Bam’s Kitchen recently posted…Berry and Peach Pudding TartMy Profile

    Reply
    • Mary Frances says

      September 18, 2014 at 1:06 AM

      Exactly!!

      Reply
  10. Tandy | Lavender and Lime says

    August 15, 2014 at 3:32 AM

    I love making this salad in summer but have never added Tabasco to it. I shall do that when next I make it 🙂
    Tandy | Lavender and Lime recently posted…Recipe For Carrot Purée RavioliMy Profile

    Reply
    • Mary Frances says

      September 18, 2014 at 1:06 AM

      Tabasco adds a really nice zip, Tandy!!

      Reply
  11. Margot | Gather and Graze says

    August 15, 2014 at 9:57 AM

    I adore this salad Mary! Can’t wait for summer to make it over and over again – so refreshing!
    Margot | Gather and Graze recently posted…A Little Slice of Australia… for FF#28!My Profile

    Reply
    • Mary Frances says

      September 18, 2014 at 1:07 AM

      Thanks Margot – don’t forget about it – summer is coming soon to you!!

      Reply
  12. Angie (@angiesrecipess) says

    August 15, 2014 at 12:08 PM

    Sweet and salty…a great combination. This salad looks very refreshing.
    Angie (@angiesrecipess) recently posted…Chia Seed Nectarine Popsicles (Gluten-free, Dairy-free, Vegan)My Profile

    Reply
    • Mary Frances says

      September 18, 2014 at 1:08 AM

      Exactly Angie!!

      Reply
  13. Choc Chip Uru says

    August 15, 2014 at 12:37 PM

    A perfectly delicious summery salad 😀

    Cheers
    Choc Chip Uru
    Choc Chip Uru recently posted…Upside-Down FrownMy Profile

    Reply
    • Mary Frances says

      September 18, 2014 at 1:08 AM

      yep!!

      Reply
  14. Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says

    August 15, 2014 at 6:52 PM

    I love Jacques Pepin and would cook anything he said was good. What a clever man. I’ve made this salad before and it’s such a hit in the summer.
    Maureen | Orgasmic Chef recently posted…Massaman Curry PasteMy Profile

    Reply
    • Mary Frances says

      September 18, 2014 at 1:09 AM

      Totally Maureen!!! I love all of Jacque’s recipes, as long as they’re not too complicated!!

      Reply
  15. Ansh says

    August 15, 2014 at 7:04 PM

    As much as I love this salad, I have not made it even once this summer. So very refreshing and such a mood lifter. Thanks for sharing your favorite way to make it.
    Ansh recently posted…Dim Posto – Egg Curry in Poppy Seeds PasteMy Profile

    Reply
    • Mary Frances says

      September 18, 2014 at 1:10 AM

      Well why not, Ansh? I sure hope you made and got to enjoy it!!

      Reply
  16. Angela says

    August 17, 2014 at 6:25 AM

    Yum! I would eat watermelon with anything and this salad sounds delightful!

    Reply
    • Mary Frances says

      September 18, 2014 at 1:10 AM

      Thanks Angela!!

      Reply
  17. Barb Bamber says

    August 17, 2014 at 3:37 PM

    If you’ve got a salad from that long ago I know it is a keeper! My daughter would love this as well, we’re big fans of greek salad around here so it’s nice to see a new recipe that uses feta and tomatoes:D
    Barb Bamber recently posted…Vegan Cherry Bomb MuffinsMy Profile

    Reply
    • Mary Frances says

      September 18, 2014 at 1:12 AM

      Oh heck Barb, I’ve got recipes a lot older that are keepers!! Hope you got to try this!

      Reply
  18. Raymund says

    August 19, 2014 at 3:55 PM

    This is a nice and refreshing salad! nice one
    Raymund recently posted…Peach and Apricot Muffin with Custard FillingMy Profile

    Reply
    • Mary Frances says

      September 18, 2014 at 1:12 AM

      Thanks Raymund!!

      Reply
  19. Mimi says

    August 21, 2014 at 10:00 PM

    OOOhhhhhhh, I love the addition of the olives in this salad! Fabulous!!!
    Mimi recently posted…A Slight RantMy Profile

    Reply
    • Mary Frances says

      September 18, 2014 at 1:13 AM

      :))) Me too Mimi!! I love that the olives look like watermelon seeds – to fake you out!!

      Reply

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Join 32k+ followers!


Never miss out on a recipe!

Subscribe to receive new posts via email:

Mary Frances

Mary Frances

Spread love through cooking.

Summer Favorites

Easy Cheesy Sautéed Squash The Best Potato Salad Super Quick Chicken and Summer Vegetables Stir-fry Chimichurri-ed Wilted Endives with Walnuts Chilled Curried Zucchini Soup with Apple Garnish Best Strawberry and Rhubarb Crisp to make now!

Categories

  • Appetizers
  • Breakfast
  • Brunch
  • Cocktails
  • Contest
  • Cookies
  • Cookware and tools
  • Desserts
  • Dinner
  • Events
  • First Course
  • Fish
  • Food Responsibility
  • Guest Post
  • Lunch
  • Meat
  • Pasta
  • Poultry
  • Products for sale
  • Salads
  • Sauces
  • Sides
  • Soups
  • Tea time
  • Travel
  • Vegetables

Pages

Blog
About
Recipes
Tips and Tools
International Love
Love Notes
Shop
Mary's secret ingredients

Blogs We Love

  • 1840 Farm
  • A Pug in the Kitchen
  • Cottage Grove House
  • Food, Photography & France
  • Food52
  • From the Bartolini Kitchens
  • Go Bake Yourself
  • Hotly Spiced
  • Jovina Cooks Italian
  • Lavender and Lime
  • Orgasmic Chef
  • Smitten Kitchen
  • Sophie's Foodie Files
  • Steven’s Wine and Food Pairings
  • That Skinny Chick Can Bake
  • The Pioneer Woman
  • The Squishy Monster
  • Tips on Food and Drinks
  • Yummy Chunklet
  • LOVE - the secret ingredient


  • GET IN TOUCH
  • E mary@lovethesecretingredient.com

· All Rights Reserved ·© 2016 Love- the secret ingredient. All rights reserved. Disclaimer | Privacy Policy Disclosure Policy Terms & Conditions