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Fresh Grilled Watermelon Feta Salad with Mint and Balsamic Reduction

grilled watermelon feta salad - featured image

A unique and refreshing salad featuring smoky grilled watermelon, salty feta, fresh mint, and a tangy balsamic reduction. Perfect for summer gatherings and easy to prepare in under 25 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups watermelon, cut into thick wedges or large chunks (ripe and firm; seedless if possible)
  • 1 cup crumbled feta cheese (preferably sheep’s milk feta)
  • 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, roughly chopped
  • 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • Pinch of flaky sea salt
  • Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the balsamic reduction: Pour 1/2 cup (120 ml) balsamic vinegar into a small saucepan over medium heat. Simmer gently, stirring occasionally, until reduced by half and syrupy, about 10-15 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
  2. Slice the watermelon into 1-inch thick wedges or large chunks. Pat dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
  3. Preheat grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Brush watermelon pieces lightly with 2 tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil.
  4. Grill watermelon for 2-3 minutes per side until char marks appear and flesh caramelizes slightly. Use tongs to turn carefully.
  5. Transfer grilled watermelon to a mixing bowl. Crumble feta cheese over the top, add chopped mint, and sprinkle with flaky sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper.
  6. Drizzle balsamic reduction over the salad just before serving and toss gently to combine.

Notes

Serve immediately while watermelon is warm for best contrast with cool feta. If preparing ahead, keep components separate and combine just before serving. Broiling watermelon in the oven is a good alternative if no grill is available. Use dairy-free feta and vegan-friendly balsamic vinegar for a vegan version.

Nutrition

Keywords: grilled watermelon salad, feta salad, summer salad, balsamic reduction, mint salad, easy salad recipe, healthy salad, vegetarian salad, gluten-free salad