When the hot weather comes out, this watermelon salad without feta is just what you need, mixing sweetness and savory. Perfect as a side dish, it’s the ideal summer salad for when you need something easy to prepare. Oil-free, gluten-free and vegan.
About This Watermelon Salad
Forget the well-trodden path of pairing watermelon with feta – this salad adds a bunch of great flavors in to do without.
The watermelon has some natural sweetness, aided by a little honey, with the cucumber and red onion adding some crunch, whilst the lime juice and fresh mint really take this up a notch.
There’s so much going on that you just don’t need any oil, cheese or other ingredients this time around, unlike most other salads.
Whether as a standalone dish or as a refreshing side, this watermelon salad promises to bring a refreshing touch.
Why You Should Try This Watermelon Salad
- Healthy + Low in Fat: There’s so much good stuff thrown into this salad, with 3 portions of fruit and veggies. Watermelon is the star obviously, and is full of vitamins A and C, plus other antioxidants, whilst cucumber is also high in vitamins, minerals and fiber. There’s less saturated fat without the feta, but the almonds still add those healthy polyunsaturated fats you should still eat.
- Versatile: It works well with so many meals. Enjoy it as a standalone dish for a light lunch, serve it as a side to a barbecued main for dinner, or offer it as a refreshing palette cleanser during a multi-course meal. It’s got all the vibrant colors and taste that make it a winner for any table spread.
- Simple and Easy to Make: It needs just a handful of ingredients (that you most likely have on hand already) and a little bit of chopping. It’s ready in 10 minutes and no cooking is needed – what more could you need?
Ingredients (+Substitutions)
Here are the ingredients you’ll need to make this watermelon salad:
- Watermelon: The star of the show, watermelon, lends a natural sweetness and refreshing flavor that makes this salad a summer favorite. Its juicy texture contrasts beautifully with the crunchier elements in the salad.
- Mint: Mint adds a touch of brightness and freshness to the dish – ideal for a lovely summer salad! Basil also pairs very nicely with the sweetness of the watermelon.
- Lime Juice: Lime juice and watermelon are a classic pairing – the lime juice adds a tangy flavor and helps to balance the sweetness of the watermelon.
- Cucumber: Cucumber works in many salads and makes a great pairing with the watermelon here. You can omit it if you like, but I like adding extra veggies in. Avocado can be a good alternative as well.
- Almonds: We’ve used ground almonds here but you can also chop up some whole almonds as well and adds some extra crunch. Other types of nuts like walnuts can work, as well as many types of seeds.
- Red Onion: A little red onion goes a long way in adding a sharp, tangy flavor to the salad that the feta cheese would normally add. It cuts through the sweetness of the watermelon. You can also use shallots instead.
- Honey: This is optional, but you normally can’t go too wrong with honey. Just add a little for some extra sweetness without adding too much sugar.
How to Vary Up This Watermelon Salad
There’s a little more going on with this salad, but you can make it as simple or as complex as you want. If you want to take things a different way, here are some great additions you can make.
- Avocado: Some extra creamy avocado can make this even more indulgent. If you want something even more filling, it’s a great choice with its healthy fats.
- Red Pepper Flakes: Add a little spice to your salad with some red pepper flakes. Aleppo pepper can work a charm if you don’t want too much kick and some extra sweetness.
- Quinoa: Healthy grains are always a great choice on the Mediterranean diet and quinoa is one of the best! Great for making it a full meal too.
How to Make This Watermelon Salad
Ready in 10 minutes, the process to make this watermelon salad is super simple!
- Start by chopping the watermelon into bite-sized chunks. Dice the cucumber and red onion, aiming for a smaller size than the watermelon and roughly chop the fresh mint leaves. If you’re using whole almonds, chop them up too.
- Once your ingredients are all prepped, put everything into a large bowl. Sprinkle in the lime juice, season with some salt and black pepper to taste. For those who want a little extra sweetness, add a drizzle of honey.
- Toss the salad together until everything is well combined. Adjusting the seasoning if necessary.
- You can let your salad sit in the fridge for a few hours to allow the flavors to meld together or serve it immediately to enjoy the crisp, fresh flavors.
More Delicious Salads
If you’re on that health kick and want a great salad, check these out below:
- Panzanella Toscana (Italian Bread Salad)
- Zaalouk (Moroccan Eggplant Salad)
- Ensalada Rusa (Spanish Potato Salad)
- Moroccan Couscous Salad
Watermelon Salad Without Feta
This watermelon salad does without feta, but still makes for a delicious and refreshing summer salad. It's vegan, oil-free and perfect as a side dish.
Ingredients
- 4 cups (600g) watermelon, chopped
- ¼ cup (7.5g) fresh mint leaves, chopped
- Juice, 1 lime
- 1 cucumber, diced
- ½ red onion, diced
- ⅓ cup (33g) ground almonds
- Salt and black pepper, as required
- Drizzle of honey, to serve (optional)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine watermelon, mint, lime juice, almonds, cucumber, red onion, salt and pepper.
- Toss until everything is well combined. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
- Let the flavors marinate in the fridge for a few hours, or serve immediately.
Notes
If you want to make it in advance, mix everything together except the mint and keep it in the fridge. Add the mint before serving.
Nutrition Information
Yield
6Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 43Total Fat 0gSaturated Fat 0gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 0gCholesterol 0mgSodium 123mgCarbohydrates 11gFiber 1gSugar 9gProtein 0g
Want More Delicious, Mediterranean Style Recipes?
If you’ve cooked this recipe, be sure to leave a comment or review! But if you’re looking for more:
- Find more Mediterranean-style recipes on our website.
- Try our free 7 day Mediterranean diet plan with 20 recipes.
- Get our 4-week Mediterranean diet plan, Med in 28 plan, that makes following the Mediterranean diet a breeze!