Grilled Watermelon Feta Basil (Printable Version)

Smoky watermelon meets creamy feta and fresh basil in this refreshing summer dish.

# What You Need:

→ Produce

01 - 1 small seedless watermelon, cut into 1-inch thick slabs
02 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
03 - 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
04 - 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves

→ Dairy

05 - 5 oz feta cheese, crumbled

→ Dressing

06 - 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
07 - 1 tbsp balsamic glaze or reduction
08 - Juice of 1 lime
09 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
10 - Sea salt, to taste

# How-To:

01 - Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat.
02 - Brush both sides of the watermelon slabs lightly with olive oil.
03 - Grill the watermelon slabs for 2-3 minutes per side, until grill marks appear and the watermelon is slightly caramelized.
04 - Remove watermelon from the grill and let cool slightly. Cut into bite-size cubes.
05 - In a large bowl or serving platter, combine grilled watermelon cubes, cherry tomatoes, and red onion.
06 - Sprinkle crumbled feta evenly over the top, then add fresh basil leaves.
07 - Drizzle with olive oil, balsamic glaze, and lime juice.
08 - Season with sea salt and black pepper to taste. Toss gently and serve immediately.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • The contrast between warm grilled melon and cool fresh vegetables creates this incredible temperature play that wakes up your palate
  • It takes literally twenty minutes from start to finish but looks like something from a restaurant menu
  • The combination manages to be both light enough for summer and substantial enough to feel satisfying
02 -
  • Watermelon releases quite a bit of liquid when grilled, so pat the slabs dry before brushing with oil
  • The salad is best served within thirty minutes of assembling or the watermelon becomes too soft
  • Feta varies wildly in saltiness, so taste before adding additional salt to the finished dish
03 -
  • Let your watermelon slabs come to room temperature before grilling for even cooking
  • Use a grill basket if you are worried about pieces falling through the grates

Go Back