The oft-obligatory appearance of watermelon at picnics will become one that is repeatedly requested by guests when you show up with this jazzy Jalapeno Watermelon Feta Salad with Honey Lime Dressing.
Watermelon is one of those fruits that makes the obligatory appearance at summertime gatherings. No doubt it’s great for pairing with grilled goods like hamburgers and brats, providing a refreshingly sweet reprieve from carbs and proteins. But on its lonesome, it doesn’t exactly arouse excitement.
What’s unfortunate about watermelon is that it’s often served as-is. I say "unfortunate" because watermelon is more versatile than people tend to think. The addition of a few carefully chosen ingredients to a bowl of diced watermelon will allow you to create one stellar salad. Jalapeno, watermelon, and feta make one easy and delicious salad.

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Watermelon Feta Salad Ingredients
You will need the following to make this Watermelon Feta Salad recipe with a simple Honey Lime Dressing.
- Watermelon - of course!
- Jalapeno
- Chives (optional)
- Feta
- Lime zest and juice
- Tabasco hot sauce
- Honey
- Salt (to taste)
I’ll happily devour a bowlful of plain old watermelon, but its mellow sweetness makes it perfect for pairing with acidic, salty, and spicy flavors, like in this homemade Watermelon Feta Salad. Jalapenos and Tabasco sauce bring the heat, lime juice, and lime zest add brightness, and feta cheese brings a savory edge.
How do you make Spicy Watermelon Feta Salad?
To make this Jalapeno Watermelon Salad, follow these simple instructions, starting with a quick honey lime dressing.
- Add lime juice, Tabasco sauce, and honey to a bowl. Whisk to combine.
- Add watermelon, jalapeno, chives, and lime zest to the bowl and gently stir, folding to combine.
- Add feta cheese and a pinch of salt. Gently stir, folding until just combined.
- Serve immediately.
- Store any leftovers in the refrigerator in a covered container. Use within 24 hours.
Just look at it. It’s pretty, it’s pink, and it’s unassuming. But the first bite reveals a complexity that belies its appearance.

Watermelon Feta Salad Substitutions
If you need to or would like to make some substitutions to this watermelon feta salad with honey lime dressing, here are a few suggestions.
- Jalapeno - go ahead and use something similar, like poblano or Thai chilis.
- Chives - these are optional, but you could use green onion instead. Or leave it out.
- Feta - also works with crumbly queso fresco cheese.
- Lime zest and juice - in a pinch, use lemon instead.
- Tabasco hot sauce - I have yet to try this with a different hot sauce, but I'd recommend using a similarly vinegar-based one to Tabasco.
- Honey - you could use a hot honey instead of honey and hot sauce.
Watermelon Feta Salad Variations
Maybe you want to mix it up and add an ingredient or two. Here are some suggested additions that you could add to this watermelon feta salad.
- Lettuce (shredded iceberg)
- Arugula
- Spring mix
- Cucumber
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Blueberries
- Avocado
- Quinoa
- Fennel
- Olives
- Mint

Frequently Asked Questions
This salad is 100% best prepared immediately before serving. You can prepare the watermelon, jalapeno, and chives in advance. Just keep each ingredient in separate containers in the refrigerator until ready to serve. A fine dice on the jalapenos is nice as is your best attempt to cut the watermelon into relatively uniform squares. And while you’re in preparation mode, whip up the dressing ahead of time and refrigerate as well.
For best results, just leave yourself a few minutes beforehand to quickly prepare this Jalapeno Watermelon Salad.
I love pairing this salad with most any type of grilled protein, like this Grilled Ranch Chicken or these Grilled Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs. It's also great served with shredded Iceberg or a spring mix tossed in to add extra crunch.
Because salty feta combines beautifully with sweet watermelon, creating an explosion of flavors in your mouth. When I first heard of Watermelon Feta Salad my immediate reaction was that the fruit/cheese combo sounded odd. But the more I thought about it, the more it made sense. Ever tried salt on watermelon? It's awesome! The salt highlights the sweetness of the fruit. Here, the salty feta cheese highlights the sweetness of the fruit. It's a beautiful pairing, that salty-sweet combo of watermelon and feta in a salad.
This recipe was inspired by Food & Wine’s Watermelon Salad with Feta and Mint.
If you like this, I think you’ll also like:
- Jalapeno Cucumber Sandwiches
- Not Your (Grand)Mother’s Broccoli Salad
- Chipotle Tuna Salad Sandwiches
- Corny Quinoa Salad with Jalapeno Lime Vinaigrette

Spicy Watermelon Feta Salad
Ingredients
- 3 cups seedless watermelon, cut into cubes
- 1 jalapeno, finely diced
- 2 teaspoons chives (optional)
- 1 teaspoon lime zest
- ½ cup feta cheese
- Pinch salt (to taste)
Honey Lime Dressing
- 1 teaspoon lime juice
- ½ teaspoon Tabasco sauce
- ¼ teaspoon honey
Instructions
- Add lime juice, Tabasco sauce, and honey to a bowl. Whisk to combine.
- Add watermelon, jalapeno, chives, and lime zest to the bowl and gently stir, folding to combine.
- Add feta cheese and a pinch of salt. Gently stir, folding until just combined.
- Serve immediately.
- Store any leftovers in the refrigerator in a covered container. Use within 24 hours.
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