Spicy watermelon and feta salad with thinly sliced jalapeno, lime juice, olive oil, and fresh mint. Sweet, salty, spicy, and cold.
What happens when you put jalapeno in a watermelon salad? You get a dish that wakes you up instead of lulling you into a nap. Four cups of watermelon cubes, crumbled feta, and thinly sliced jalapeno dressed with olive oil, lime juice, salt, and pepper. Garnished with fresh mint leaves.
The heat from the jalapeno builds slowly. You taste the sweet watermelon and salty feta first, then the chili arrives at the back of your mouth. The lime juice ties everything together, tart and bright. The mint cools the whole salad down. It is a balance that works from the first bite to the last. Pretty damn refreshing.
Tips for Making Spicy Watermelon and Feta Salad
Slice the jalapeno thin
Thin rounds distribute the heat evenly through the salad. Thick chunks concentrate it in a few bites and leave the rest bland.
For less heat, remove the seeds and white membrane before slicing. For more heat, leave them in. Taste a sliver of the jalapeno before adding it so you know what you are working with.
Dress and serve immediately
Whisk the olive oil, lime juice, salt, and pepper together and pour over the salad right before serving. Toss once. The watermelon releases water quickly and dilutes the dressing.
Chill the watermelon before cubing. Cold watermelon stays firmer in the salad and the contrast with the fresh jalapeno is sharper.
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Spicy Watermelon and Feta Salad
Total Time: 15 minutes
Yield: 2 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Spicy Watermelon and Feta Salad combines sweet, juicy watermelon with salty feta, spicy jalapeño, and a zesty dressing for a refreshing summer side dish.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the watermelon cubes and crumbled feta cheese.
- Add the sliced jalapeño to the bowl.
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lime juice, salt, and pepper.
- Pour the dressing over the watermelon mixture and toss gently to combine.
- Garnish with fresh mint leaves before serving.
Notes
For best results, use a seedless watermelon variety like sugar baby. Adjust the amount of jalapeño to your spice preference. This salad is best served immediately to maintain its fresh and crisp texture. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one day.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 15
- Sodium: 400
- Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 20
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 6
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
Frequently Asked Questions
How spicy is this?
One jalapeno for four cups of watermelon is mild to medium. The feta and lime soften the heat. For more spice, use a serrano pepper instead.
Can I make this ahead?
No. The watermelon releases too much water as it sits. Cube and chill the watermelon ahead, but dress and assemble just before serving.
What kind of feta?
Greek feta in brine crumbles best and is saltiest. One cup of crumbled feta for four cups of watermelon is the right ratio.