Sumac and Mint Watermelon Salad with Feta and Flaky Sea Salt
A refreshing summer salad combining juicy watermelon, tangy sumac, cooling dried mint, salty feta, and flaky sea salt for balanced flavors. This middle eastern-inspired salads ready in about 10 minutes pairs seedless watermelon, cubed, crumbled feta cheese, dried mint into a side that holds its own next to almost any main — bright, balanced, and quick enough to slot into a weeknight plate. Each serving lands at about 110 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 4 cups seedless watermelon, cubed
- 1 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1 tsp dried mint
- 2 tsp ground sumac
- 1/2 tsp flaky sea salt
- 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, combine 4 cups cubed seedless watermelon with 1 cup crumbled feta cheese.
- Step 2: Sprinkle evenly with 2 tsp ground sumac, 1 tsp dried mint, 1/2 tsp flaky sea salt, and 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper.
- Step 3: Drizzle 1 tbsp fresh lime juice over the salad and gently toss to combine all ingredients without breaking up the watermelon cubes.
- Step 4: Chill salad in the refrigerator for 20 minutes to allow flavors to meld before serving a cool and tangy summer side dish.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sumac and Mint Watermelon Salad with Feta and Flaky Sea Salt take to make?
Total time is about 10 minutes (10 min prep + 0 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Sumac and Mint Watermelon Salad with Feta and Flaky Sea Salt?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep seedless watermelon, cubed from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Sumac and Mint Watermelon Salad with Feta and Flaky Sea Salt?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Sumac and Mint Watermelon Salad with Feta and Flaky Sea Salt for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Sumac and Mint Watermelon Salad with Feta and Flaky Sea Salt?
Middle Eastern salads like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
