Summer Watermelon Salad

What's better than cold watermelon in the summer? Watermelon Salad with honey, mint, cucumbers and feta.

Watermelon is the perfect summer food. There’s nothing better than a cold, unadorned, smile-shaped slice eaten outside in the sun. Or icy cubes snacked on straight from the fridge. But you can also elevate the sweet fruit into something a little fancier. Let’s remember, though – it’s still summer, so fancy doesn’t mean fussy.

Fancy-but-not-fussy Summer Watermelon Salad is fully worthy of co-starring next to anything grilled at a dinner party. And it’s also so easy that you can throw it together in minutes and have it on the table tonight, fuss-free and oven-free.

I first served a watermelon salad when we were putting together the Junior League cookbook Peace Meals. It quickly became a family favorite, something that got requested over and over again. We have made a few changes over the years, but the basis of the salad remains the same. There’s something about the sweet, juicy, salty, crunchy combination that is perfectly refreshing. Happy summer!

Summer Watermelon Salad

Ingredients: 

¼ cup orange juice
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon minced fresh chives
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
¼ cup olive oil
¼ teaspoon salt 
¼ teaspoon pepper
2 cups cubed seedless watermelon
½ cup peeled, seeded, diced cucumber
¼ cup crumbled feta
1 tablespoon minced fresh mint

Recipe directions: 

In a small bowl, whisk together the orange juice, honey, chives, vinegar, oil and salt and pepper to taste. In a large bowl, toss together the watermelon, cucumber and dressing. Sprinkle the feta and mint over the top, and serve chilled.