Grilled Watermelon Feta Basil (Print Version)

Smoky grilled watermelon paired with salty feta and fresh basil creates this vibrant summer dish perfect for outdoor gatherings.

# 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

# Preparation Steps:

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 Advice:

01 -
  • The contrast between warm, charred watermelon and cool, salty feta is the kind of thing that makes people pause mid-bite
  • It comes together in under 20 minutes but looks like something from a restaurant that takes reservations three weeks out
  • The leftovers actually taste better the next day, if you somehow manage to have any
02 -
  • Don't skip letting the watermelon cool slightly after grilling, hot watermelon falls apart when you try to cut it
  • The salad needs to be dressed right before serving, otherwise the watermelon releases too much water and everything gets soggy
  • Room temperature watermelon grills better than ice cold from the fridge, let it sit out for 15 minutes first
03 -
  • Use a vegetable grill basket if you're worried about the watermelon sticking or falling through the grates
  • The salad tastes even better if you let everything sit together for 5 minutes before serving

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