Watermelon, Peach & Feta Salad

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My watermelon, peach and feta salad might be my new favorite summer salad. It is fresh, clean and crisp and has all my favorite flavors in one salad. Let’s face it, in the summer when watermelon and peaches are at their best, I tend to go hog wild using them in all kinds of recipes. From watermelon agua fresca and watermelon rose slushies, to compressed watermelon, feta & Arugula salad with jalapeńo dressing, you are going to see watermelon in tons of my recipes. When it comes to peaches, well I might be be going savory with my chicken, peaches & cream or going with dessert recipes like my grated frozen peaches and cream or my grilled peaches with Mascarpone & balsamic drizzle. But a bright and flavorful salad will show up more often as lunch, dinner and as a side dish at my BBQs and picnics.

Peach and feta salad is pretty popular everywhere but I loved the idea of adding watermelon. Watermelon peach salad just screams summer to me, so this salad was a no brainer. I added the cucumber because it is cool and crisp and the perfect veggie for this salad. I pretty much love feta, but if you aren’t a fan, you can omit it or substitute blue cheese or shavings of Parmesan. Both would work here.

Ingredients in this recipe

DRESSING:

Lemon flavored honey
Lemon Juice
Extra virgin olive oil
Shallots
Salt and Pepper

SALAD:

Seedless watermelon
Peaches
English cucumber
Mint leaves
Basil leaves
Feta cheese
Lemon zest
Flaky salt (Maldon is a favorite)

Ingredients substitutions

LEMON: you can use lime if that is your preference.

LEMON HONEY: substitute regular honey or add a little lemon juice and/or lemon zest to your honey for that lemony flavor.

PEACHES: you certainly can substitute nectarines or other stone fruit like plums.

ENGLISH CUCUMBER: feel free to substitute regular cucumber to the salad but I recommend peeling it first. Then, I’d cut the cucumber horizontally and scrape out the seeds.

HERBS: mint and basil are my favorites here but you could omit them or add fresh thyme and parsley for a different flavor combo. I wouldn’t use dried herbs in this dish. No herbs? Just omit and top with the dressing.

How to make watermelon, peach and feta salad

To get started on this recipe, be sure you’ve picked the freshest fruit, veggies and herbs. I want the peaches ripe and fragrant, and the watermelon should be firm, bright red and juicy. I use an English cucumber in this dish so I can just slice it and add to the salad. English cucumbers are usually sold wrapped in cellophane and have thin, untreated skins. They are perfect here but if you choice to use a regular cucumber, I’d peel it first, cut in horizontally and scrape out the seeds so the salad isn’t too wet. Use a handy-dandy grapefruit spoon to get that job done. It is my secret tool that I use for everything. No grapefruit spoon? Use a regular spoon.

Get your other ingredients together and chop your basil and mint, zest your lemon and peel your shallot. Mince the shallot and put to the side. I use low-fat feta cheese crumbles in this recipe, but feel free to use full fat. This is just my preference when watching that waistline.

I chop my watermelon into medium sized chunks, and cut my peaches into similar sized chunks. I slice my cucumber and I have everything ready to go.

To make your dressing add the lemon honey, lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper and minced shallot to a small bowl. Whisk everything together. I purchase my Meyer-lemon honey at my local farmer’s market from this great company Bee Ladies Honey. They are local here in Southern California and the flavor and quality can’t be beat. You can order from them online, or find a similar lemon honey at your local farmer’s market or supermarket. If you can’t find it, just regular honey. You may want to add some lemon zest to the mix (1/2 teaspoon) to up the lemon flavor.
While I know that you’ll often seem lime juice with watermelon, I went with the lemon because I was loving this lemon honey. If limes are more your jam, substitute lime juice and lime zest and use plain honey. You won’t hurt my feelings and the salad will be just as delicious.

Add all your chopped fruit and veggies, chopped herbs and crumbled feta to a large bowl and toss gently. Add the dressing and gently toss to combine. I like to chill my salad until cold, but this is perfectly fine served right away. Top with the lemon zest and sprinkle with flaky salt. I use Maldon, my personal favorite.
I serve the salad on a platter and garnish with fresh mint leaves.

Frequently asked questions and answers about making watermelon, peach and feta salad

1. Can I make a watermelon peach feta salad ahead of time?

Yes! Prep the fruit ahead by chopping watermelon and peaches, then store them separately in airtight containers. Add the feta, herbs, and dressing just before serving to prevent sogginess.

2. What can I substitute for feta in this salad?

Goat cheese is a creamy, tangy alternative. For vegan or dairy‑free options, try plant‑based feta or cubed avocado for richness. Don’t like cheese? Make the watermelon salad with no feta.

3. How do I prevent the salad from getting watery?

To avoid excess juice, drain the watermelon after cutting by patting it dry or using a colander. Use English Cucumber instead of regular cucumber but if you do use a regular cucumber, remove the seeds first. Serve the salad shortly after assembling .

4. What dressing pairs best with watermelon peach feta salad?

Popular choices include a simple vinaigrette of olive oil, red wine or champagne vinegar, honey, garlic, oregano, and fresh herbs. Some recipes also include a balsamic glaze, fig preserve vinaigrette, or a basil-based dressing. You can play with your dressing and if all else fails, a simple oil and vinegar dressing will work or even a light Italian bottled dressing in a pinch.

5. Can I add other ingredients to elevate the salad?

Absolutely! Many recipes recommend adding:

Herbs try other herbs like thyme or chives for freshness
Crunch from nuts like pistachios or pine nuts
Extras for a little spice add some jalapeño and for some green, arugula works great. Check out my compressed watermelon, feta & arugula salad with jalapeno dressing for inspiration.
Protein add some shrimp or lobster meat for an elevated lunch or brunch option – yum!

If you like the salad, be sure to leave a rating and a comment below. Did you make substitutions or alter the recipe? If so, please share. I’d love to see what you are doing.

Looking for other summer salads? Be sure to try some of my other favorites.

All Green Fruit & Veggie Salad

Blackberry Chicken Salad for Two

Exotic Fruit Salad with Honey Lime Dressing

Creamy Cucumber and Apple Salad

Heirloom Tomatoes, Peaches & Burrata Salad