“Crunchy, creamy, salty, sweet — this watermelon feta salad is true bliss in salad form,” writes culinary creator Arash Hashemi in his cookbook Shred Happens: So Easy, So Good: 100+ Protein-Packed Mediterranean Favorites with a Low-Carb Twist. And yes, the cookbook is focused on low-carb, protein-heavy dishes, but this recipe is a winner regardless of your current eating habits.
If you’ve never experienced a melon and cheese salad, you might be scratching your head right now. But Hashemi is convinced that “the combination of feta cheese, watermelon, and walnuts will forever change the way you look at watermelon. Toss in the blackberries, mint, and lime, and you’ve really got yourself a party!” The tangy, sweet, savory, salty end result is perfect for feeding a crowd, especially on a hot summer day. (And watermelon feta salad is one of Katie’s favorite hot-weather dishes, too.)
This salad is also a snap to put together, and just requires some chopping and tossing before it’s ready for the table. Plus, the mix of colors “brings the wow factor to any gathering or special occasion,” Hashemi explains. What’s not to love about a simple, super-fresh culinary showstopper?
Watermelon Feta Salad
Prep time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4 to 6
Ingredients
- 1⁄3 cup raw walnuts
- 5 cups bite-sized watermelon chunks
- 2 Persian or mini cucumbers, sliced into thin rounds
- 6 ounces blackberries or blueberries
- 4 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
- 1⁄4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon chili lime seasoning, such as tajín
- Salt
Instructions
- In a small skillet over medium-low heat, toast the walnuts for about 2 minutes, stirring to avoid burning. Set aside to cool.
- In a large bowl, combine the watermelon and cucumbers. Add the blackberries and cooled walnuts. Sprinkle in the feta, lime juice, olive oil, chili lime seasoning, and a pinch of salt.
- Toss gently and serve immediately.
Excerpted from Shred Happens: So Easy, So Good copyright © 2025 by Arash Hashemi. Photography copyright by Ghazalle Badiozamani. Used by permission of Rodale Books an imprint and division of Penguin Random House LLC, New York. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
