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    Home » Salads

    Tomato Watermelon Salad Without Feta

    July 11, 2022 by cookingwithelo Leave a Comment This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe

    If you're looking for a delicious summer salad that you can serve as a side dish – this is it! This tomato watermelon salad without feta is sweet and juicy and topped with a very olive oil simple dressing. It's perfect for a vegan BBQ or if you're dairy-free.

    Red, yellow and green tomato wedges and pink watermelon cubes in a grey ceramic bowl.

    Whether you're out of feta, don't like cheese or are on a dairy-free diet, this vegan watermelon salad is for you. It's such a flavorful and super refreshing salad for hot summer days.

    If you're looking for more simple salad recipes for your BBQ parties, check out our Mediterranean tomato cucumber salad and our delicious pasta salad with sundried tomato pesto.

    Jump to:
    • Why you'll love this recipe
    • Key ingredients and substitutions
    • Elo's tips
    • How to cut a watermelon
    • Step-by-step (with pictures)
    • Variations
    • Frequently asked questions
    • The recipe

    Why you'll love this recipe

    • This watermelon salad recipe comes together in 15 minutes. It's perfect if you're short on time but need an extra side dish.
    • It's very versatile as can easily add or swap ingredients.
    • It's tossed in a very simple vinaigrette. No fancy ingredients needed.
    • This salad is made without leafy greens.

    Key ingredients and substitutions

    Ingredients for tomato watermelon salad with descriptive labels.
    • Seedless watermelon is key to saving time when making this salad. Make sure to buy a ripe, and juicy watermelon. Look for dark and dull ones with orange field spots.
    • Tomatoes add flavor. I like to use different colors to make it fun.
    • Fresh mint leaves bring this salad to the next level. You can replace them with fresh basil leaves if you want.
    • Extra-virgin olive oil makes the base of the dressing. High-quality oil is the secret to any good dressing.
    • Red wine vinegar balances out the sweetness of the watermelon. You can replace it with apple cider vinegar or freshly squeezed lemon juice.
    • Balsamic glaze is totally optional but beautifully finishes this salad.

    See recipe card for exact quantities and detailed instructions.

    Elo's tips

    1. Look for extra fresh ingredients for a flavorful salad. I love buying mine at the farmer's market.
    2. Add the dressing and balsamic glaze right before serving for best results. If making the salad ahead of time, store the ingredients separately.
    3. Keep the salad in the refrigerator until ready to serve. It tastes best when all the ingredients are crisp and cold.
    4. This salad tastes best when fresh. You can store it in the fridge for up to 1 day (preferably without dressing) but try to eat it right away.

    How to cut a watermelon

    Watermelon with rind standing on a cutting board.

    Cut off the top and the bottom of the watermelon and stand it on one side. Then, run a sharp knife along the rind (like you would do for a pineapple).

    Hand holding a sliced watermelon vertically.

    Cut the watermelon vertically into thick slices.

    Watermelon cut into cubes on a wooden cutting board.

    Place it cut side down on the cutting board. Now cut them horizontally to obtain small cubes.

    If you like it fancy, cut the watermelon in half and make balls using a melon baller.

    Step-by-step (with pictures)

    Red, yellow and green tomato wedges in a grey ceramic bowl.

    STEP 1: Chop the fruits and vegetables. Cut the watermelon into cubes as described above and the tomatoes into wedges.

    Oil, vinegar and dried herbs mixed in a white ceramic bowl.

    STEP 2: Make the salad dressing. In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, red wine vinegar and maple syrup with a whisk. Stir in the dried oregano and season with salt and pepper.

    Tomato wedges and watermelon cubes in a grey ceramic bowl.

    STEP 3: Toss. Add the watermelon cubes and tomato wedges to a large bowl. Drizzle with dressing and give it a good toss.

    Tomato wedges and watermelon cubes topped with mint leaves and white hemp seeds.

    STEP 4: Garnish with extra mint leaves and seeds. I like to add hemp seeds or sesame seeds to this salad. Right before serving, you can also add some balsamic glaze.

    Variations

    • English cucumber adds some crunch to this tomato watermelon salad.
    • Fresh herbs such as fresh basil and oregano are great substitutes for mint.
    • Kalamata olives make a great addition to this Mediterranean salad.
    • Red onion slices can add sharpness, while pickled red onions add some tanginess.

    Frequently asked questions

    What's the best feta alternative?

    You can replace feta with vegan feta cheese or any other type of vegan block cheese. If you're not on a vegan or dairy-free diet, you can substitute it with fresh goat cheese, mozzarella or ricotta.

    How to pick a good watermelon?

    First, look for a heavy and round watermelon (the elongated ones tend to be watery). Then, search for a yellow-orange spot, which indicates that the watermelon is full of flavor. Avoid watermelons with white field spots. Finally, look for dark and dull watermelons, shiny ones are not ripe.

    Can you eat watermelon seeds?

    Whether they are raw or roasted, watermelon seeds can be eaten. They are high in "healthy" fats and minerals and are actually really good for you.


    Can I make this salad without the dressing?

    You can absolutely make this salad without dressing as the ingredients are very juicy on their own. I would however recommend adding a squeeze of lemon juice for flavor.

    Close-up photo of a tomato and watermelon salad with fresh mint.

    Don’t forget to join the Cooking With Elo newsletter. You’ll get gluten-free and vegan dinner ideas sent right to your inbox.

    The recipe

    Colorful tomatoes and watermelon cubes topped with mint leaves and hemp seeds in a ceramic bowl.

    Tomato Watermelon Salad Without Feta

    5 from 1 vote
    This minty tomato watermelon salad without feta makes the perfect summer salad side dish. It's perfect if you're vegan or dairy-free.
    Print Pin
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Total Time: 15 minutes
    Servings: 4
    Author: Eloïse Jennes

    Ingredients 

    • ½ small seedless watermelon
    • 5 ripe tomatoes
    • 1 bunch of fresh mint leaves
    • 1 tablespoon hemp seeds for topping, optional

    For the dressing

    • 2 tablespoons olive oil
    • 2-3 teaspoons red wine vinegar sub apple cider vinegar or lemon juice
    • 1 teaspoon maple syrup
    • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
    • ⅛ teaspoon salt
    • ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
    • Balsamic glaze optional

    Instructions

    • Cut off the top and bottom of the watermelon. Place it on one side and run a sharp knife along the rind (like you would peel a pineapple). Cut it vertically into 6-8 slices. Then, cut in horizontally to form small cubes.
    • Wash the tomatoes and cut them into wedges.
    • In a small bowl, whisk the olive oil with the red wine vinegar, maple syrup, oregano, salt and pepper. Chop the mint leaves and stir them into the dressing.
    • Add everything to a large salad bowl and toss well. Garnish with hemp seeds, more mint leaves and balsamic glaze (if desired).

    Notes

    1. Optional add-ins: sliced cucumber, kalamata olives, red onion slices.
    2. How to pick a ripe watermelon: first, look for a heavy and round watermelon (the elongated ones tend to be watery). Then, search for a yellow-orange spot, which indicates that the watermelon is full of flavor. Avoid watermelons with white field spots. Finally, look for dark and dull watermelons, shiny ones are not ripe.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 286kcal | Carbohydrates: 50g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 40g
    Leave a rating and comment below! Thank you!Don't forget to mention @cookingwithelo on social media

    More summer salads

    • Easy Mediterranean Tomato Cucumber Salad
    • Sun-dried tomato pesto pasta salad
    • Vegan Caesar Salad With Garlic Bread

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