This easy watermelon basil salad is refreshing, light, and perfect for summer. It's made with juicy watermelon, blueberries, crisp cucumber, fresh basil, crumbled feta cheese, and a simple lime dressing.
Watermelon salad is one of those go-to summer recipes that never gets old. It's super refreshing, comes together in minutes, and is always a hit at BBQs, potlucks, and July 4th cookouts. The sweet watermelon, salty feta, fresh blueberries, and basil make every bite feel like summer.
It's especially popular around the Fourth of July and makes a great addition to any summer spread. I love serving it with these crispy grilled chicken thighs or these juicy turkey burgers. You can even do something fun like this grilled corn and avocado salad for a colorful, flavor-packed combo everyone will love!
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Why you'll love this recipe
- Refreshing and light: Perfect for hot summer days when you want something cool and crisp.
- Sweet and savory combo: Juicy watermelon and salty feta are a match made in heaven.
- Takes 10 minutes: Quick to prep and no cooking required.
- Made with fresh ingredients: Basil, cucumber, and lime bring tons of flavor.
- Great for summer parties: A total crowd-pleaser for BBQs, picnics, and potlucks.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: You can easily make this watermelon basil salad a day in advance and store it in the fridge for convenience.
Ingredients
- Watermelon: Use fresh watermelon, cut into bite-sized cubes. Buying a whole one and cutting it yourself gives the best flavor.
- English Cucumber: This adds a cool, crisp crunch. If you use a regular cucumber, scoop out the seeds before adding it.
- Blueberries: These add a sweet, juicy burst of flavor that pairs perfectly with the other ingredients.
- Fresh Basil: Basil adds a fresh, herby flavor to the salad. Be sure to use fresh leaves, not dried.
- Feta Cheese: Crumbled feta adds a creamy, salty bite. You can use pre-crumbled feta or crumble it yourself.
- Extra-Virgin Olive Oil: A small drizzle adds richness. You can leave this out if you prefer.
- Lime Juice: Fresh lime juice adds a zesty, tangy kick that ties everything together.
- Honey (optional): You can add a little honey for extra sweetness, but the fruit usually makes it sweet enough.
- Salt & Black Pepper: Season to taste. Black pepper might sound unexpected, but it's amazing with watermelon.
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
- Step 1: Add the watermelon, cucumber, blueberries, basil, and feta to a large mixing bowl. Pour the lime dressing over the top.
- Step 2: Gently toss all the ingredients together until well combined.
Hint: Taste the salad and adjust the salt, pepper, or lime juice to your liking before serving.
Video Tutorial
Expert Tips
- Use cold ingredients: For the most refreshing flavor, chill the watermelon, cucumber, and blueberries before making the salad. You can also prep everything and store it in the fridge until you're ready to serve.
- Add the feta last: Gently fold in the feta at the end to keep it from breaking apart too much.
- Use seedless watermelon: This makes the salad easier to eat and saves you from having to pick out seeds while serving.
Equipment
- Mixing Bowl
- Cutting Board
- Kitchen Knife
- Spoon + Fork
- Measuring Cups: ½ teaspoon, 1 teaspoon, 1 Tablespoon, ¼ cup, ½ cup, and 1 cup.
Substitutions & Variations
- Make it dairy-free: Use a dairy-free feta or skip it entirely for a vegan version.
- Make it gluten-free: This watermelon salad is already naturally gluten-free.
- Make it spicy: Add a sliced or diced jalapeño!
- Use mint instead of basil: If you don't have basil, fresh mint also tastes amazing with watermelon and feta.
- Add avocado: For extra creaminess and healthy fats, diced avocado is a great add-in.
- Add a crunch: Toss in some chopped pistachios, walnuts, or pumpkin seeds for added texture.
- Add protein: Top the salad with grilled chicken or shrimp to make it a more filling meal.
Storage
Store any leftover watermelon salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1–2 days. To keep the salad fresh and prevent sogginess, it's best to store the dressing separately if you can.
Frequently Asked Questions
To make this watermelon basil salad dairy-free, remove the feta cheese and substitute it with cubes of avocado. The avocado makes the salad creamy as well!
Yes! You can use crumbled goat cheese as a substitute for the feta in this watermelon salad.
Yes! You can make this salad up to one day ahead, which is great for parties or cookouts. I usually prepare it the morning of to keep it super fresh, but if you need to make it ahead, simply cover the bowl with plastic wrap or foil and store it in the fridge until serving.
Fresh blueberries are best for texture and flavor. I would not use frozen blueberries in this salad.
Feta cheese is the classic choice because its salty, creamy flavor pairs perfectly with the sweet, juicy watermelon. You can also try goat cheese or halloumi for a different twist.
More Summer Salads
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
What to Serve with Watermelon Salad
These are my favorite dishes to serve with watermelon salad:
📖 Recipe
Watermelon Basil Salad
Ingredients
Watermelon Salad:
- 5 - 6 cups cubed watermelon, 1-inch cubes
- 1 ½ cups English cucumber, peeled and cut into quarter moons
- 1 cup fresh blueberries
- ¼ cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
- ⅓ - ½ cup crumbed feta cheese
Lime Dressing:
- 1 -2 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoon fresh lime juice, about 1 - 2 limes
- 1 tablespoon honey, for optional sweetness
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Add watermelon, cucumber, blueberries, basil, and feta to a large salad bowl.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lime juice, honey, salt, and pepper.
- Pour dressing on top of the watermelon salad and gently toss to combine. I recommend tasting it and then adjusting the seasoning to your preference.
- Sprinkle with extra feta crumbles for serving, and enjoy!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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