Grilled Watermelon Feta Mint (Printable)

Sweet grilled watermelon paired with crumbled feta and fresh mint for a light, vibrant salad.

# What You'll Need:

→ Produce

01 - 1 small seedless watermelon (approximately 3 to 4 pounds), cut into 1-inch thick wedges
02 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
03 - 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves, torn
04 - 1 cup arugula or baby greens, optional

→ Dairy

05 - 3/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled

→ Pantry

06 - 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
07 - 1 tablespoon balsamic glaze or reduction
08 - Freshly ground black pepper to taste
09 - Sea salt to taste

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat.
02 - Lightly brush the watermelon wedges on both sides with 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
03 - Grill watermelon for 1 to 2 minutes per side, just until grill marks appear and the fruit is slightly caramelized. Remove from grill and let cool slightly.
04 - Cut the grilled watermelon into cubes or triangles and arrange on a large platter.
05 - Scatter the red onion, mint leaves, and arugula if using over the watermelon.
06 - Sprinkle with crumbled feta cheese.
07 - Drizzle with the remaining olive oil and balsamic glaze.
08 - Season with freshly ground black pepper and sea salt to taste. Serve immediately.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It tastes like summer somehow managed to fit itself onto a plate, and people will ask for the recipe.
  • The contrast between warm grilled watermelon and cool, salty feta feels unexpectedly luxurious for something so simple.
  • It comes together in twenty minutes, which means you can still spend your afternoon actually enjoying the weather instead of cooking in it.
02 -
  • Don't cut the watermelon into thick wedges until right before grilling, or it'll start weeping and won't char properly; the timing matters more than it seems.
  • The moment the feta hits warm watermelon, something chemical and delicious happens that you'll lose if you let it all cool down completely, so build the salad while there's still steam rising.
03 -
  • A grill pan works just as well as an outdoor grill if you don't have one, and honestly gives you more control over the heat, so don't skip this recipe if you're in an apartment.
  • If you want a spicy version, scatter some thinly sliced jalapeño or a pinch of chili flakes over the top, which sounds strange until you taste how well heat plays with the sweet watermelon.
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