Grilled Watermelon Feta Mint (Print version)

Sweet grilled watermelon meets creamy feta and fresh mint for a bright, flavorful summer dish.

# What you’ll need:

→ Produce

01 - 1 small seedless watermelon (about 3-4 lbs), cut into 1-inch thick wedges
02 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
03 - 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves, torn
04 - 1 cup arugula or baby greens, optional

→ Dairy

05 - 3/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled

→ Pantry

06 - 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
07 - 1 tablespoon balsamic glaze or reduction
08 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
09 - Sea salt, to taste

# Steps:

01 - Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat.
02 - Lightly brush watermelon wedges on both sides with 1 tablespoon olive oil.
03 - Grill watermelon for 1-2 minutes per side until grill marks appear and fruit is slightly caramelized. Remove from heat and cool slightly.
04 - Cut grilled watermelon into cubes or triangles and arrange on a large serving platter.
05 - Scatter red onion, mint leaves, and arugula over watermelon.
06 - Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese evenly over salad.
07 - Drizzle with remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and balsamic glaze.
08 - Season with freshly ground black pepper and sea salt to taste. Serve immediately.

# Cooking tips:

01 -
  • Grilling watermelon sounds odd until you taste it—the caramelization creates a depth that plain fruit never has.
  • It comes together in twenty minutes, making it perfect when you're hungry but don't want to spend the afternoon cooking.
  • The contrast between warm grilled melon and cool, creamy feta feels like a small luxury at a summer table.
02 -
  • Don't walk away from the grill—watermelon goes from perfectly caramelized to mushy in about thirty seconds, and charred fruit tastes bitter.
  • The salad tastes best served within an hour of grilling, while the melon still has warmth and the feta hasn't softened too much from the ambient heat.
03 -
  • If your watermelon is pale or mealy, it won't taste as good grilled—pick one that feels heavy for its size with a hollow sound when you tap it.
  • Assemble everything on a platter just before serving rather than in advance, so the warm melon doesn't continue cooking and the greens don't wilt.
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