Description
Strawberry Watermelon Salad is a vibrant and refreshing summer dish combining juicy watermelon, sweet strawberries, crisp cucumber, and tangy feta cheese, all brought together with a light olive oil and balsamic dressing. Perfect for hot days, this salad is easy to prepare, healthy, and bursting with fresh flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Fruits
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
- 4 cups watermelon, cubed (seedless preferred)
Vegetables & Herbs
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, chopped
Cheese
- 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled (optional)
Dressing
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey (or agave syrup for a vegan option)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Wash the Fruits and Vegetables: Rinse strawberries, watermelon, cucumber, and mint leaves under cold water to ensure cleanliness.
- Hull and Slice the Strawberries: Remove the green tops carefully and slice the strawberries into thin pieces for even distribution in the salad.
- Cube the Watermelon: Cut the watermelon into manageable chunks by first halving, then quartering it, removing the rind, and chopping into bite-sized cubes.
- Dice the Cucumber: Peel the cucumber if preferred, slice it lengthwise to remove seeds, and dice into small cubes for a crisp texture.
- Slice the Red Onion: Thinly slice the red onion. Optionally, soak in cold water for 10 minutes to mellow the sharpness.
- Chop the Mint: Stack the mint leaves, roll them tightly, and slice into thin ribbons to release the flavor and aroma.
- Prepare the Feta Cheese: If using, crumble feta cheese into small pieces to sprinkle evenly over the salad.
- Combine the Dressing Ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and honey/agave syrup until well blended.
- Season the Dressing: Add salt and pepper to taste, adjusting sweetness or tanginess according to preference.
- Combine the Fruits and Vegetables: In a large bowl, gently toss the strawberries, watermelon, cucumber, and red onion to mix flavors evenly.
- Add the Mint and Feta: Sprinkle the chopped mint leaves and crumbled feta cheese over the salad bowl.
- Drizzle the Dressing: Pour the prepared dressing over the salad and gently toss to coat all ingredients thoroughly.
- Taste and Adjust: Sample the salad and make any needed adjustments with additional salt, pepper, or lemon juice.
- Chill the Salad: Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together perfectly.
- Serve: Before serving, toss the salad gently again and transfer to a serving bowl or individual plates, garnishing with extra mint if desired.
- Enjoy: Serve chilled as a refreshing side dish, ideal for summer picnics and gatherings.
Notes
- Soaking the red onion in cold water helps reduce its sharpness if you prefer a milder onion flavor.
- Feta cheese is optional; omit for a vegan version or substitute with a plant-based cheese alternative.
- Adjust the sweetness of the dressing by varying the amount of honey or agave syrup.
- Chilling the salad enhances the melding of flavors, making it more refreshing.
- For best taste, prepare the salad shortly before serving.
