If watermelon and feta peaked your interest but the mustard vinaigrette gave you pause, stay with me. This salad hits that perfect summer balance of sweet, salty, crisp, and creamy, and the honey-dijon dressing is just sharp enough to make watermelon more interesting without detracting from its sweet, sun-drenched, thirst-quenching flavor.
If I can be permitted to make a few assumptions about you, dear reader: You are not surprised about the combination of watermelon and feta but did, perhaps, raise your eyebrows when you got to the mustard vinaigrette part of this recipe title. However, you are an adventurous eater who likes to try new things and so were intrigued.
Or, you already know that mustard and watermelon is a delicious combination, and so, when you saw this, you knew this was the kind of salad you would probably enjoy.
It was my daughter, Anne, who inspired this recipe after asking if I would make a watermelon and feta salad for the simple reason that, as my recipe tester, she wanted to eat it. But when I told her the salad had a mustard vinaigrette, she said, “That’s weird, mom.”
Au contraire, my dear daughter. Mustard and watermelon is f
abulous.
Now, if you do a quick search on the interwebs, you’ll see that some people like to treat their slices of watermelon like a hamburger or a hot dog, covering it with mustard straight from the bottle. I am not on TikTok, but have recently learned that the whole mustard-and-watermelon is (or was?) a trend.
That’s cool I guess, but slathering slices of watermelon with mustard does not appeal to me. The combo works, in my opinion, when there’s enough mustard to know it’s there, but not so much that it takes away from the flavor of the ripe, juicy, sweet summer watermelon.
That’s what you get in this salad. The vinaigrette includes a generous amount of dijon mustard. You’ll definitely taste it. But it’s softened by honey and olive oil and brightened by some chopped shallots and lemon juice.
The combination of sweet, juicy watermelon, crunchy cucumbers, creamy feta, and sharp, sweet-and-tangy mustard vinaigrette really works. Try it and let me know what you think.
Recipe notes:
This recipe will make enough vinaigrette for one of those small or small-ish watermelons you can usually find in supermarkets these days. They are usually labeled as “mini” watermelons. You can, of course, use half of a regular size watermelon, or double the amount of vinaigrette for a whole, large watermelon.
This salad will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. If you’re going to make it in advance, I suggest not adding the feta until right before serving.
Pairs well with…
This is the kind of salad I love to serve with other easy summer recipes, the less preparation and cooking required, the better.
Sesame Chicken Salad with Tahini Dressing: A bold, crunchy chicken salad with tahini, sesame oil, soy sauce, lime, ginger, and just enough heat to keep things interesting. It’s quick to make, easy to pack, and perfect for picnics, road trips, and summer lunches.
Hummus Platter + Easy Homemade Hummus Recipe: This hummus platter is one of my favorite ways to make it look like you tried a heck of a lot harder than you actually did.
Vegan Pearl Couscous Salad: This healthy, vibrant pasta salad is made with pearl couscous, whatever fresh herbs and vegetables you like, and dressed simply with lemon juice and extra virgin olive oil.
Grilled Lemon Rosemary Chicken: This super easy recipe is all about layer after layer of flavor. The chicken only takes a few minutes to cook and is delicious eaten all on its own or in sandwiches or salads.
Welcome to Let’s Get Lost! I’m Rebecca, a recipe developer, food photographer, passionate people watcher, and chaser of new experiences. You might know me from my recipe websites, Of Batter and Dough and A Little and A Lot.
My husband and I are nomads without a home base but with many modes of transportation, namely an RV, a motorcycle, and a sailboat. I write recipes and stories for curious people who believe experiences are more important than things and who want more adventure. Find out more.