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    Home » Recipes » 10 Minute Recipes

    Kale, Watermelon and Feta Salad

    By Dannii · Published 19th July 2018 · Updated 14th September 2021 · 74 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links and generates income via ads · This site uses cookies · Post contains 1464 words. · About 8 minutes to read this article.

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    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Cubes of watermelon on a white plate
    Kale and watermelon salad on a plate with a text title overlay.

    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.

    A salad made up of kale, watermelon and feta cheese on a blue plate.

    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. 

    Jump to:
    • Why should you try it?
    • What you will need
    • Step by step
    • Health benefits of watermelon
    • Salad dressing
    • Kale Alternative
    • Salad toppings
    • What to serve it with
    • FAQs
    • Extra tips
    • More salad recipes
    • Recipe
    • Feedback

    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.
    Watermelon slices, kale, feta, pecans, oil and lemon on a wooden board.

    Step by step

    One: Roughly chop the kale, wash well and put in a large bowl.

    A metal bowl containing chopped raw kale.

    Two: Add the olive oil, cider vinegar, lemon juice, garlic and salt and pepper to the kale and mix well.

    A metal bowl containing chopped raw kale covered in a dressing.

    Three: Add the watermelon and feta and gently mix.

    A metal bowl containing chopped raw kale, chopped watermelon and crumbled feta.

    Four: Serve in to a bowl and top with the crumbled pecans.

    A plate of kale, watermelon and feta salad.

    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.

    Cubes of watermelon, crumbled feta and chopped pecans on a bed of kale leaves.

    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.

    A pile of curly kale on a wooden board.

    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
    A blue plate with Kale, Feta and Watermelon Salad.

    FAQs

    Can a watermelon feta salad be made in advance?

    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.

    What other cheese can you use?

    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.

    More salad recipes

    • Easy Pear Salad
    • Roasted Butternut Squash and Prosciutto Salad
    • Cucumber Dill Salad (Mizeria)
    • Roasted Vegetable Couscous Salad

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    If you’ve tried this or any other recipe on the blog then let us know how you got on in the comments below, we love hearing from you!
    Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - we love sharing photos when people make our recipes. You can use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.

    DON’T FORGET TO RATE THE RECIPE ↓

    Recipe

    A plate with salad surrounded by watermelon slices

    Kale, Feta and Watermelon Salad

    This Kale, Feta and Watermelon 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.
    The words low carb in a white circle.
    Low Carb
    An illustration of a v-shaped plant.
    Vegetarian
    4.97 from 64 votes
    Pin Print
    Course: Salad
    Cuisine: British
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Total Time: 5 minutes
    Allergen:
    An illustration of a carton of milk.
    Dairy
    An illustration of four different nuts.
    Nuts
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    Sulphites
    Servings: 4 people
    Calories: 138kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    UK Metric Measures - US Customary Measures
    • 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.

    Nutritional Information

    Serving: 1portion | Calories: 138kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 210mg | Potassium: 174mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 2950IU | Vitamin C: 47.9mg | Calcium: 90mg | Iron: 0.7mg
    Have you tried this recipe?Mention @hungryhealthyhappy on Instagram and tag #hungryhealthyhappy!
    DisclaimerThe nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Laura H

      May 20, 2016 at 1:03 pm

      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 :)

      Reply
    2. Vanessa G

      May 20, 2016 at 12:15 pm

      5 stars
      Would this would with Stilton too? I am not a big fan of feta.

      Reply
    3. Holly

      May 20, 2016 at 12:14 pm

      This is such a good idea! I love watermelon, so I will be trying this salad at the weekend.

      Reply
    4. Anosa

      May 20, 2016 at 4:12 am

      5 stars
      I never would have thought to had watermelon to a salad but this looks delicious

      Reply
    5. Liz Mays

      May 20, 2016 at 12:06 am

      5 stars
      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.

      Reply
    6. Melanie Edjourian

      May 20, 2016 at 12:00 am

      5 stars
      Watermelon is a great addition to salad, it's tasty, healthy and full of fibre.

      Reply
    7. Rhian Westbury

      May 19, 2016 at 9:33 pm

      I can't imagine that watermelon goes well with feta and kale. It looks really yummy though x

      Reply
    8. [email protected]

      May 19, 2016 at 9:12 pm

      5 stars
      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 :-)

      Reply
    9. Sarah Bailey

      May 19, 2016 at 8:05 pm

      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

      Reply
    10. Amanda

      May 19, 2016 at 6:58 pm

      5 stars
      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!

      Reply
    11. Sarahjane

      May 19, 2016 at 6:36 pm

      5 stars
      This looks very summer and delicious!! Added to my list of recipes to try! :)

      Reply
    12. Kari @ bite-sized thoughts

      May 19, 2016 at 6:35 pm

      5 stars
      I am definitely due some watermelon in my life! I have a massive craving for it now :P

      Reply
    13. Ashley

      May 19, 2016 at 5:33 pm

      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.

      Reply
    14. Jo

      May 19, 2016 at 5:31 pm

      5 stars
      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.

      Reply
    15. Susie @ Suzlyfe

      May 19, 2016 at 5:20 pm

      I want to rolllll all around in this!

      Reply
    16. Jack (Five Year Target)

      May 19, 2016 at 5:05 pm

      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!

      Reply
    17. Bintu | Recipes from a Pantry

      May 19, 2016 at 3:50 pm

      5 stars
      I'm not generally a big watermelon fan but am absolutely crazy about feta cheese. This salad looks so light and refreshing!

      Reply
    18. Trish

      May 19, 2016 at 3:37 pm

      5 stars
      Mmmm... bring on watermelon season! And your trip sounds like it was awesome!

      Reply
    19. Helen @ Fuss Free Flavours

      May 19, 2016 at 3:29 pm

      5 stars
      I love salads with watermelon, all that juicy sweetness that will contrast beautifully with the salty feta. Just lovely.

      Reply
    20. The Food Hunter

      May 19, 2016 at 3:19 pm

      5 stars
      Love this combination it is perfect for summer

      Reply
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