Grilled Watermelon Feta Mint (Printer-friendly)

Sweet grilled watermelon paired with creamy feta and fresh mint offers a bright, flavorful dish.

# What You'll Need:

→ Produce

01 - 1 small seedless watermelon (about 3 to 4 pounds), cut into 1-inch thick wedges
02 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
03 - 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves, torn
04 - 1 cup arugula or baby greens, optional

→ Dairy

05 - 3/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled

→ Pantry

06 - 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
07 - 1 tablespoon balsamic glaze or reduction
08 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
09 - Sea salt, to taste

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat.
02 - Lightly brush the watermelon wedges on both sides with 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
03 - Grill watermelon for 1 to 2 minutes per side, just until grill marks appear and the fruit is slightly caramelized. Remove from grill and let cool slightly.
04 - Cut the grilled watermelon into cubes or triangles and arrange on a large platter.
05 - Scatter the red onion, mint leaves, and arugula over the watermelon.
06 - Sprinkle with crumbled feta cheese.
07 - Drizzle with the remaining olive oil and balsamic glaze.
08 - Season with freshly ground black pepper and sea salt to taste. Serve immediately.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • The grill caramelizes the watermelon's natural sugars, creating a sweet-salty-tangy complexity that feels almost indulgent for something so light.
  • It comes together in 20 minutes, which means you can make it while guests are arriving and still feel like you've accomplished something real.
  • Everyone asks for the recipe, and you get to watch their faces when they realize grilled watermelon is a thing that exists.
02 -
  • Watermelon releases a lot of water as it cools, so if you're making this ahead, keep the components separate and assemble just before serving or you'll end up with a puddle instead of a salad.
  • The grill marks aren't just for looks—they seal the exterior slightly and concentrate the sugars, which creates a texture contrast that raw watermelon can never deliver.
03 -
  • Don't slice your watermelon until right before you plan to grill it; moisture on the surface is your enemy when you're trying to get a good sear.
  • Use a grill pan instead of an outdoor grill if that's all you have—it works just as well and gives you more control over temperature and timing.
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