Grilled Watermelon Feta Basil (Printable version)

Smoky watermelon meets creamy feta and fresh basil in this vibrant summer dish.

# 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 grilling trick transforms ordinary watermelon into something extraordinary with barely any effort
  • Salty feta and bright basil create that perfect sweet and savory balance we all crave
02 -
  • Grilled watermelon holds its shape better than raw, so you can make this a few hours ahead without it getting watery
  • The lime juice is crucial, it cuts through the rich feta and balances the sweetness from the caramelized fruit
03 -
  • Pat the watermelon dry before grilling, excess water prevents those nice char marks
  • Let the feta come to room temperature before serving, the flavor is much more pronounced

Go back