• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
It's a Veg World After All®
  • Subscribe
  • Cookbook
  • Recipes
    • By Type
    • By Vegetable
  • Tips
  • About
    • Privacy and Terms
    • Services
      • Twin Cities Cooking Classes
      • Writing & Recipes
    • Contact
  • Bloglovin
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • By Veggie
  • Cooking Tips
  • Meal Plans
  • Subscribe
  • About
  • Books
  • Work with Lizzie
  • Contact
    • Bloglovin
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • By Veggie
    • Cooking Tips
    • Meal Plans
    • Subscribe
    • About
    • Books
    • Work with Lizzie
    • Contact
    • Bloglovin
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Summer

    Sweet and Spicy Watermelon Salad with Feta and Mint

    Published: Jun 17, 2020 / Modified: Jul 1, 2021 by Lizzie Streit, MS, RDN / This post may contain affiliate links / Leave a Comment

    • 31
    Jump to Recipe Print
    images of spicy watermelon salad and jalapeno dressing with a text box in between
    images of salad ingredients and finished salad with a purple text box in between
    spicy watermelon salad with jalapeno dressing on a white rectangular platter
    spicy watermelon salad on a platter with a purple text box

    A delicious jalapeno lime dressing makes for a slightly spicy watermelon salad, but it also has hints of sweet, salty, and cool flavors from feta and mint. For only a handful of ingredients, there’s so much variety!

    spicy watermelon salad with jalapeno lime dressing on a white rectangular platter

    This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, see my affiliate disclosure.

    With yesterday and today’s high temperatures in the 90s, I’ve been craving ALL the hydrating foods. Lucky for me, I found a gigantic watermelon at Trader Joe’s this weekend!

    We got SO much watermelon out of that bad boy that I just knew I had to use it for a blog recipe somehow. Then I experimented with the Honey Jalapeno Lime Dressing that I posted yesterday. And I started to think…how would it taste with fruit?

    Soon enough it dawned on me to create a spicy watermelon salad of sorts with that delicious dressing! I added some feta cheese for a little salty kick and torn fresh mint leaves for a cooling effect, and this simple recipe was born.

    If you’re looking for a tasty dish to serve for Father’s Day, 4th of July, or any summer meal, you’re in the right place. Watermelon salad is so easy to make, and in classic Veg World fashion, this version even includes some veggies via the jalapeno dressing.

    bowl of watermelon next to feta cheese, mint, and dressing on a counter

    Expert Tips

    • I like to serve this dish cold, so I recommend slicing up the watermelon a few hours before you plan to eat. Store in the fridge in an airtight container to chill.
    • You can make the dressing up to a couple days in advance, but shake well before drizzling over the salad.
    • The jalapeno dressing is key to making this a spicy watermelon salad, but you could accomplish the same thing with my Healthy Creamy Jalapeno Sauce if you’re interested in a different variation.
    • Fresh mint counters the spiciness from the dressing, but you could substitute fresh basil or cilantro if that’s what you have on hand.

    Serve this salad on the side of the Summer Squash and Dill Salmon Burgers, Sweet Potato and Black Bean Burgers, or the BBQ Lentils with Shredded Carrots. Add another side, like the Grilled Broccolini with Lemon and Parmesan, and you’ll have a delicious meal on your hands!

    close up shot of spicy watermelon salad with feta and mint on a platter

    More Summer Salads

    If you enjoy this spicy watermelon salad, check out these other dishes while you’re here!

    • Blueberry Spinach Salad with Strawberry Tahini
    • Sweet Corn and Cherry Arugula Salad
    • Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad with Butter Lettuce
    • Cashew Cabbage Salad with Bok Choy

    I’d love to hear how you like this recipe! Rate/review using the stars on the recipe card or in the comments, and follow the Veg World on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. Looking for something totally different? Browse the recipe library.

    spicy watermelon salad with jalapeno dressing on a white rectangular platter

    Spicy Watermelon Salad with Feta and Mint

    This sweet and spicy side dish features hydrating watermelon, salty feta, cooling mint, and a simple jalapeno lime dressing.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate Save Saved!
    Prep Time: 15 mins
    Total Time: 15 mins
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 263kcal
    Author: Lizzie Streit, MS, RDN

    Ingredients

    Watermelon Salad

    • 6 cups watermelon - cubed
    • ½ cup crumbled feta
    • 6 to 8 mint leaves - roughly torn

    Jalapeno Lime Dressing

    • 1 jalapeno - seeds and stems removed
    • ¼ cup lime juice - from about 2 limes
    • 2 tablespoon honey
    • ¼ teaspoon sea salt
    • ½ cup olive oil
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Arrange the watermelon on a large platter or individual plates. Sprinkle the crumbled feta on top, followed by the torn mint leaves.
    • In a blender, combine the ingredients for the dressing and blend until smooth. Alternatively, you can chop up the jalapeno and whisk it together with the other ingredients in a small bowl. Pour the dressing over the salad. Garnish with mint leaves. Serve and enjoy.

    Notes

    • I like to chop the watermelon a few hours before serving so that it can sit in the fridge and get cold.
    • Sub basil or cilantro for fresh mint if desired. 
    • This salad is best served right away, and leftovers do not keep well.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 263kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 11mg | Sodium: 239mg | Potassium: 190mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 985IU | Vitamin C: 18mg | Calcium: 75mg | Iron: 1mg
    Did you make this recipe?Tag @its_a_vegworld_afterall and follow me today!

    Enjoy the sunshine and heat! – Lizzie

    More Summer Produce Recipes

    • banana chia pudding topped with sliced bananas and coconut in a jar
      Banana Chia Pudding
    • microwave carrots in a serving bowl surrounded by toppings
      Microwave Carrots (with Seasoning Ideas)
    • boiled broccoli in a serving bowl next to seasonings on a counter
      Boiled Broccoli (with Seasonings)
    • Greek meatball and vegetable bowl with pita triangles on a counter
      Greek Turkey Meatballs with Veggies (Meal Prep Bowls)
    • 31

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    lizzie streit cutting carrots

    Welcome! I'm Lizzie, a Registered Dietitian and cookbook author who loves vegetables. And I'm here to help you love them too! My easy, veggie-forward recipes will help you get comfortable in the kitchen and celebrate the seasons.

    More about me →

    Meal Prep Recipes

    • chocolate coconut chickpea cookie dough balls on a serving plate
      Coconut Chickpea Cookie Dough Balls
    • slice of a sheet pan veggie omelet on a plate next to the baking sheet
      Sheet Pan Omelet with Veggies
    • almond granola in a bowl in front of a sheet pan with granola
      Almond Granola with Honey and Vanilla
    • loaded oatmeal cookie with coconut, pineapple, and carrots on a counter
      Morning Glory Cookies (Healthy Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies)

    Soup Recipes

    • broccoli almond soup with feta in a soup crock on a counter
      Broccoli Almond Soup with Feta
    • Kabocha Squash Soup in a bowl with coconut milk and thyme
      Kabocha Squash Soup with Coconut Milk and Apple Cider
    • swede and potato soup in a bowl topped with crispy onions
      Swede Soup with Crispy Onions
    • vegan tomato bisque topped with fresh basil in a bowl on a counter
      Vegan Tomato Bisque with Cashews

    Footer

    About

    About Lizzie

    Privacy Policy and Terms

    Portfolio

    My Books

    Featured On

    logos from news publications and websites spread out on a white background

    Contact

    Contact

    Work with Lizzie

    Sign Up! for emails and updates

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2013-2023 It's a Veg World After All ® LLC