Grilled Watermelon Feta Basil (Printable)

Smoky grilled watermelon paired with salty feta and fresh basil creates a vibrant Mediterranean dish perfect for warm weather gatherings.

# What You'll 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 Make It:

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 Tips:

01 -
  • The contrast between warm caramelized watermelon and cool salty feta creates this explosion of flavors that makes people pause mid conversation
  • It comes together in under 20 minutes but looks like something from a restaurant menu, earning you compliments without the stress
  • You can prep everything ahead and just grill the watermelon right before serving, making it perfect for actually enjoying your own party
02 -
  • Grilled watermelon releases a surprising amount of liquid as it sits, so if you are making this ahead, keep the dressing separate until the very last minute
  • Don't skip the oil brush before grilling—I learned the hard way that watermelon will stick miserably to the grates without it
  • The salad actually benefits from the watermelon being slightly warm rather than piping hot or completely cold—about 5 minutes off the grill is perfect
03 -
  • Room temperature watermelon grills more evenly than cold from the fridge, so let it sit out for 20 minutes before you start
  • If your balsamic glaze is too thick, warm it slightly in the microwave so it drizzles beautifully instead of globbing up in spots

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