This Kale, Watermelon Feta Salad is refreshing, super simple and packed full of all the good stuff. With its sweet and salty combination, it's the perfect side dish for your next BBQ. We are firm believers that salads never have to be boring. If you think they are, then you aren't making them right.
This might seem like a strange combination, but trust us on this one - it really works. The saltiness of the feta and the dressing pairs beautifully with the sweetness of the watermelon. The kale makes the perfect super green base and finishing off with a sprinkle of pecans adds plenty of crunch.
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Why should you try it?
- A delicious new salad to try
- A great way to use up watermelon
- Easy to adapt
- A delicious BBQ side dish
What you will need
- Kale - We used curly kale as it is the easiest to find in shops. You could use black kale (also known as lacinato kale or cavolo nero), or a mixture of both.
- Watermelon - Try to pick a watermelon that has a yellow to dark yellow patch in the skin (this is the part of the melon that was resting on the ground while growing). This indicates the ripeness of the melon - light or no yellow patch means it isn't ripe enough. A skin that is dull, rather than shiny is preferable too. And discard if the skin has large brown patches.
- Feta - A good quality feta is a must. Make sure it is labelled 'feta' rather than 'Greek salad cheese'.
- Nuts - We used chopped pecans as they compliment the flavours well, however cashews or even peanuts will work well.
- Dressing - We went with a simple dressing made up of oil, vinegar, lemon juice, garlic, salt and pepper. This dressing softens the kale but lets the flavour come through.
Step by step
One: Roughly chop the kale, wash well and put in a large bowl.
Two: Add the olive oil, cider vinegar, lemon juice, garlic and salt and pepper to the kale and mix well.
Three: Add the watermelon and feta and gently mix.
Four: Serve in to a bowl and top with the crumbled pecans.
Health benefits of watermelon
Watermelon is a fruit with lots of health benefits. Firstly, it is a great way to stay hydrated in the summer as it is 92% water. Fruits that have a high water content will help you to stay fuller for longer too.
As well as being low in calories, watermelon is also high in vitamins C and A, which are great for skin and hair health. This watermelon feta salad is bursting with goodness.
Salad dressing
You don't want anything too overpowering because the watermelon and feta are pretty strong flavours. We just used a drizzle of olive oil, some cider vinegar and lemon juice. You can add some extra sweetness with a drizzle of balsamic glaze when serving.
Kale Alternative
You might not have had kale in a salad before, but it's one of my favourite greens in a salad. It has so much more texture and bite to it than lettuce, not to mention more nutritional benefits. Plus, look at that vibrant green colour.
If you usually find raw kale chewy, then you might prefer this salad because the dressing really softens it up, especially if you leave it for 30 minutes before adding the rest of the ingredients.
If you really aren't a fan of kale, then you could use rocket (arugula) or spinach instead.
Salad toppings
I think one of the reasons so many people think salads are boring is because they lack texture. We combat that by always adding something crunchy on top like the pecans in this watermelon and feta salad recipe.
Whilst croutons are a classic crunchy salad topping, why not change things up and go with nuts like pecans, almond flakes or cashews? You could even use seeds like sunflower, pumpkin or linseed.
What to serve it with
This is a delicious side salad and a great way to really add some freshness to a meal. Here are some of our favourite mains to serve this watermelon feta salad with:
- Honey and Mustard Salmon
- Spanish Bean Stew
- Perfect Roast Chicken
- Homemade Fish Fingers
- BBQ Chicken Pizza
- Baked Chicken Burger
- Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
- Easy Chicken Traybake
FAQs
Yes, you can chop everything up and mix it in advance and make the dressing in advance. Then, just before you are ready to serve it, mix the dressing in to the salad. You don't want to add the dressing in advance, because the salad will go soggy.
If you have leftovers, you can store them in an air tight container in the fridge until the next day, however it is best to eat it right away because it is such a watery salad.
I think it's clear how much we love feta by now, but you know what we also love? Halloumi! It's a cheese that squeaks when you eat it and what's not to love about that?
Halloumi is best when grilled as it holds its flavour and has a real meaty texture to it. Add a few slices to this salad instead of feta for a filling meal.
Extra tips
- If you aren't a feta fan , then grilled halloumi makes a great substitution. It gives the dish much more of a meaty texture and feels more like a whole meal rather than a side dish.
- Speaking of grilling, grilled watermelon is amazing. It really brings out the flavour, changes the texture and makes a great addition to this salad. Just cut the watermelon in to bigger chunks/slices to that it doesn't fall through the grill.
- We haven't added any herbs to this recipe, but in the past we have used fresh mint in it and it pairs beautifully with the watermelon and feta.
- Another delicious addition to this salad is some olives. It gives a little bit of extra saltiness, along with the feta, that contrasts the sweetness of the watermelon.
- Not got enough greens in this? Add some chunks of cucumber or celery for some added texture and to make it even more refreshing.
- If you are all about the sweetness in a salad, then swap the apple cider vinegar for balsamic vinegar. Or, add a drizzle of pomegranate molasses at the end.
- Add some fresh mint when serving to make this a really light summer salad.
- Make this salad even chunkier by adding some diced cucumber.
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Recipe
Kale, Feta and Watermelon Salad
Ingredients
- 100 g curly kale chopped
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 0.5 lemon (juice only)
- 2 garlic cloves crushed
- 1 pinch sea salt and black pepper
- 10 pecans crumbled
- 280 g watermelon diced
- 60 g feta cheese
Instructions
- Roughly chop the kale, wash well and put in a large bowl.
- Add the olive oil, cider vinegar, lemon juice, garlic and salt and pepper to the kale and mix well.
- Add the watermelon and feta and gently mix.
- Serve in to a bowl and top with the crumbled pecans.
Notes
- If you aren't a feta fan , then grilled halloumi makes a great substitution. It gives the dish much more of a meaty texture and feels more like a whole meal rather than a side dish.
- Speaking of grilling, grilled watermelon is amazing. It really brings out the flavour, changes the texture and makes a great addition to this salad. Just cut the watermelon in to bigger chunks/slices to that it doesn't fall through the grill.
- We haven't added any herbs to this recipe, but in the past we have used fresh mint in it and it pairs beautifully with the watermelon and feta.
- Another delicious addition to this salad is some olives. It gives a little bit of extra saltiness, along with the feta, that contrasts the sweetness of the watermelon.
- Not got enough greens in this? Add some chunks of cucumber or celery for some added texture and to make it even more refreshing.
- If you are all about the sweetness in a salad, then swap the apple cider vinegar for balsamic vinegar. Or, add a drizzle of pomegranate molasses at the end.
Laura H
I love all three of these ingredients but never would have thought of mixing them together! This will be great when it gets a little hotter :)
Vanessa G
Would this would with Stilton too? I am not a big fan of feta.
Holly
This is such a good idea! I love watermelon, so I will be trying this salad at the weekend.
Anosa
I never would have thought to had watermelon to a salad but this looks delicious
Liz Mays
This sounds so refreshing and light. I'd love to make some of this salad for a special occasion. I definitely want to add more kale to my diet.
Melanie Edjourian
Watermelon is a great addition to salad, it's tasty, healthy and full of fibre.
Rhian Westbury
I can't imagine that watermelon goes well with feta and kale. It looks really yummy though x
[email protected]
I totally love watermelon in a salad!
I lived in Gibraltar for 2 years when I was younger, my Dad was in the Navy, so we got stationed out there. We ate watermelon salads all the time. This looks exactly like those salads. What a great food memory. Thanks Dannii :-)
Sarah Bailey
Ohh I totally wouldn't have thought of using watermelon in a salad what an interesting idea. I need to give this a whirl. x
Amanda
This looks so refreshing and easy to make! It would be the perfect summer side salad. I have never put watermelon in a salad, but I love the idea of it! Thank you for sharing!
Sarahjane
This looks very summer and delicious!! Added to my list of recipes to try! :)
Kari @ bite-sized thoughts
I am definitely due some watermelon in my life! I have a massive craving for it now :P
Ashley
Watermelon has just started popping up again at my local store and I couldn't be happier! Love watermelon and feta together! This salad sounds wonderful.
Jo
Watermelon in a salad sounds like it would work so well. And the combination with the feta cheese sounds really great. Can't wait to try it.
Susie @ Suzlyfe
I want to rolllll all around in this!
Jack (Five Year Target)
Me and my partner have just started meal planning to save money, and this looks interesting to add to my lunches. At the moment I'm stuck in a rut of the same things or the same kind of things day in, day out! Thank you!
Bintu | Recipes from a Pantry
I'm not generally a big watermelon fan but am absolutely crazy about feta cheese. This salad looks so light and refreshing!
Trish
Mmmm... bring on watermelon season! And your trip sounds like it was awesome!
Helen @ Fuss Free Flavours
I love salads with watermelon, all that juicy sweetness that will contrast beautifully with the salty feta. Just lovely.
The Food Hunter
Love this combination it is perfect for summer