Melon and feta salad with mint

Melon and feta salad with mint: juicy watermelon, creamy feta, red onion, mint and olive oil with white balsamic vinegar or lemon juice.

At a glance

• Serves 2
• Prep time: 10 min
• No cooking needed
• Total time: 10 min
• Calories: 250 kcal per serving
• Protein: 8 g
• Fat: 14 g
• Carbs: 22 g

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp white balsamic vinegar or lemon juice
• 1/2 small red onion
• 100g feta cheese
• 400g watermelon
• 1 handful of mint leaves
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Black pepper

Method

You’ll need: chopping board · knife · mixing bowl

1. Cut the watermelon into cubes and put it in a large bowl. Slice the red onion into thin strips and add it.
2. Crumble the feta cheese roughly over the watermelon. Roughly chop the mint leaves and scatter them loosely on top.
3. Mix the olive oil with the white balsamic vinegar or lemon juice. Season with black pepper.
4. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss everything gently. That way the feta stays a little chunky and the watermelon juicy.
5. Leave to stand briefly so the flavours come together. Don't leave it too long, so the salad stays fresh.
6. Serve cold, finishing with a little extra mint and black pepper if you like.

Good to know

This salad is light, fresh and simply lovely on warm days. The combination looks plain at first and then turns out to have a surprising amount of character.

Swaps

Feta cheese → full-fat sheep's or goat's milk feta (less processed, rich and creamy) Watermelon → honeydew or cantaloupe melon in a smaller amount (usually a little less sugar per serving) White balsamic vinegar → fresh lemon or lime juice (naturally unsweetened, fresh flavour) Red onion → cucumber or celery (milder, extra freshness and less heat)

Allergens

Feta contains milk, so it's not suitable for people with a milk protein allergy. For children and during pregnancy the salad is usually fine if you use pasteurised feta and prepare everything fresh.

Frequently asked questions

Does watermelon really work in a savoury salad?

Yes – it's very juicy, contains vitamin C and adds a fresh contrast to salty ingredients. It also contains small amounts of lycopene, a red plant pigment.

What's in feta, nutritionally?

Feta provides protein, calcium and, depending on the type, vitamin B12. It also contains salt and saturated fat, so a moderate amount usually works best.

Does raw red onion agree with everyone?

That varies from person to person. Red onion contains fibre and sulphur compounds; some people are fine with them, others find they cause wind.

Does mint offer more than flavour?

A little: mint contains some vitamin K and various plant compounds. The amount you eat in a salad is small, though.

Is lemon juice better than white balsamic vinegar?

Both work well, they just set different accents. Lemon juice adds a little vitamin C, while white balsamic vinegar mainly brings acidity and sweetness for flavour.