Grilled Watermelon Feta Basil Salad (Printable)

Smoky watermelon pairs with creamy feta and fresh basil in this refreshing Mediterranean-style summer salad.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Produce

01 - 1 small seedless watermelon, cut into 1-inch thick slabs
02 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
03 - 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
04 - 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves

→ Dairy

05 - 5 oz feta cheese, crumbled

→ Dressing

06 - 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
07 - 1 tbsp balsamic glaze or reduction
08 - Juice of 1 lime
09 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
10 - Sea salt, to taste

# Directions:

01 - Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat.
02 - Brush both sides of the watermelon slabs lightly with olive oil.
03 - Grill the watermelon slabs for 2-3 minutes per side, until grill marks appear and the watermelon is slightly caramelized.
04 - Remove watermelon from the grill and let cool slightly. Cut into bite-size cubes.
05 - In a large bowl or serving platter, combine grilled watermelon cubes, cherry tomatoes, and red onion.
06 - Sprinkle crumbled feta evenly over the top, then add fresh basil leaves.
07 - Drizzle with olive oil, balsamic glaze, and lime juice.
08 - Season with sea salt and black pepper to taste. Toss gently and serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Grilling transforms watermelon into something entirely unexpected, concentrating its natural sugars while adding this incredible smoky depth
  • The salty feta against the sweet warm watermelon creates this perfect balance that keeps everyone coming back for seconds
  • It comes together in under 20 minutes but looks like something from a restaurant patio menu
02 -
  • Watermelon gets surprisingly fragile after grilling, so handle those slabs carefully when transferring them to the cutting board
  • Room temperature watermelon grills more evenly than cold straight from the fridge, let it sit out for 20 minutes before firing up the grill
  • The salad is best served immediately, but the components can be prepped ahead and assembled at the last minute for maximum freshness
03 -
  • Pat the watermelon dry with paper towels before oiling, excess water can interfere with getting good grill marks
  • Let the grilled watermelon rest for at least 5 minutes, the juices redistribute and the flavors intensify slightly as it cools

Go Back