Watermelon, Feta, and Sugar Snap Salad
I love a good collab between sweet and salty, and few partnerships in that category measure up to the excellence of watermelon and feta. With origins in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cooking, this combination has achieved international stardom, and rightfully so.
During the summer, some variation on watermelon and feta salad can be seen on almost every restaurant menu around here in New York, and since I almost always order it, I’ve seen how easy it is to do too much. Similar to a Citrus & Fennel Salad, the perfection lies in the simplicity… But I can also appreciate a twist when it’s done right.
I’ve seen many different additions—tomatoes, cucumbers, cherries, avocado, and even other types of melon or cheese—but my personal favorite, as you’ve probably already guessed, is sugar snap peas. They add crunch, texture, and flavor that perfectly complement the classic ingredients without overpowering them.
Enjoy, and feel free to read on for some fun tips about this salad!
The Watermelon
When making any watermelon salad, I prefer using mini watermelon. It’s easier to cut up, is the perfect size to not leave leftovers, and as a bonus, smaller melons can often be more flavorful. I like to cut the melon into 1/2-inch cubes, but you can cut them to your preference.
THM Tip! To pick a delicious watermelon at the store, look for the following attributes:
• Weight: A melon that feels heavy for its size is often juicy.
• Webbing: Also called “sugar netting," this rough brown pattern is a sign that the melon is seeping sugar. Larger webbing often indicates a sweeter melon.
• Color: A pale yellow or orange “field spot” on the outside often indicates that the melon has more flavor from staying on the vine longer.
The Feta
You can use pre-crumbled feta, or a block of feta cut into cubes or crumbled by hand. While the latter will be creamier and more flavorful (and you may find more varieties to play with!), any feta will be delicious, so use what is most accessible. For my plant-based friends, there are also some vegan fetas out there which are quite delicious!
The Snap Peas
Our featured guest stars in this recipe, sugar snap peas are thick and round, and have plump peas inside the pod. They may be confused with snow peas, which are flat and have very small peas inside—snow peas wouldn’t be a good substitute in this recipe, as their texture is very different.
I like to cut sugar snap peas on a bias (diagonally) for two reasons: it’s pretty, and I find it better holds onto the peas inside!
The Mint
I recommend tearing the mint instead of cutting it. It’s easier, and creates flatter pieces that adhere better to the elements in the salad.
The Dressing
All I do is a drizzle of olive oil, a pinch of flaky salt, and a little freshly ground pepper. Some might argue that you don’t even need to dress watermelon salad at all, but I do like how olive oil ties it together. Plus, it’s a good excuse to break out your good olive oil!
Watch Me Make This on Instagram!
Watermelon, Feta, and Snap Pea Salad
Everyone's favorite summer salad, featuring a special guest star!
Ingredients
Instructions
Notes & Substitutions
To pick a delicious watermelon at the store, look for the following attributes:
• Weight: A melon that feels heavy for its size is often juicy.
• Webbing: Also called “sugar netting," this rough brown pattern is a sign that the melon is seeping sugar. Larger webbing often indicates a sweeter melon.
• Color: A pale yellow or orange “field spot” on the outside often indicates that the melon has more flavor from staying on the vine longer.
