Kale, Feta and Watermelon Salad

We are firm believers that salads never have to be boring. If you think they are, then you aren’t making them right. This Kale, Feta and Watermelon Salad is refreshing, super simple and packed full of all the good stuff. With its sweet and salty combination, it’s the perfect side dish for your next BBQ.

This might seem like a strange combination, but trust us on this one – it really works. The saltiness of the feta and the dressing pairs beautifully with the sweetness of the watermelon. The kale makes the perfect super green base and finishing off with a sprinkle of pecans adds plenty of crunch.

Watermelons are pretty huge! Although we can get through a fair amount in one sitting when it’s hot, we often have some leftover that we can’t get through before it starts to go off. This feta and watermelon salad is the best way to make sure you aren’t wasting any watermelon. You just cut it in to chunks and throw it in. Kale, Feta and Watermelon Salad is a simple summer salad to feed a crowd.

Feta Salad

This recipe is inspired by our island hopping trip round Greece a couple of years ago. Being in Greece was like a feta pilgrimage for me and you can bet that I made the most of it whilst there. Feta was part of pretty much every meal, but one of the best ways I ate it on the trip was with watermelon in a salad.

What Other Cheese Can You Use in This Salad?

I think it’s clear how much we love feta by now, but you know what we also love? Halloumi! It’s a cheese that squeaks when you eat it and what’s not to love about that?

Halloumi is best when grilled as it holds its flavour and has a real meaty texture to it. Add a few slices to this salad instead of feta for a filling meal.

Watermelon in a Salad

Watermelons are really cheap when in season, go a long way, versatile and super juicy at this time of the year. If you haven’t had watermelon in a salad before, then you are missing out! Especially a feta and watermelon salad.

In the interest of branching out and adding more fruit to my salad (hello strawberries in a balsamic salad), I thought watermelon would be a good one to go with and I paired it with some kale as we had a huge bag of it to use up. This is definitely one of my favourite salads now.

Kale Salad

You might not have had kale in a salad before, but it’s one of my favourite greens in a salad. It has so much more texture and bite to it than lettuce, not to mention more nutritional benefits. Plus, look at that vibrant green colour.

If you usually find raw kale chewy, then you might prefer this salad because the dressing really softens it up, especially if you leave it for 30 minutes before adding the rest of the ingredients. If you really aren’t a fan of kale, then you could use rocket (arugula) instead.

Crunchy Salad Toppings

I think one of the reasons so many people think salads are boring is because they lack texture. We combat that by always adding something crunchy on top like the pecans in this recipe.

Whilst croutons are a classic crunchy salad topping, why not change things up and go with nuts like pecans, almond flakes or cashews? You could even use seeds like sunflower, pumpkin or linseed.

INGREDIENTS NEEDED TO MAKE This Kale, Feta and Watermelon Salad (Serves 4):

• 1 bunch/1 bag of kale, chopped
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp cider vinegar
• Juice of half a lemon
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• A pinch of sea salt and black pepper
• 10 pecans, crumbled
• 150g/1 cup watermelon, diced
• 60g/2oz Feta cheese

HOW TO MAKE A Kale, Feta and Watermelon Salad – STEP BY STEP:

One: Roughly chop the kale, wash well and put in a large bowl.
Two: Add the olive oil, cider vinegar, lemon juice, garlic and salt and pepper to the kale and mix well.
Three: Add the watermelon and feta and gently mix.
Four: Serve in to a bowl and top with the crumbled pecans.

Other Kale Recipes To Try:

Guac-Kale-Mole
Squash and Kale Soup
Mushroom and Kale Pesto Pasta
Baked Gnocchi with Kale and Mozzarella 
Apple and Kale Green Smoothie

SOME EXTRA TIPS FOR THIS DISH:

• If you aren’t a feta fan , then grilled halloumi makes a great substitution. It gives the dish much more of a meaty texture and feels more like a whole meal rather than a side dish.
• Speaking of grilling, grilled watermelon is amazing. It really brings out the flavour, changes the texture and makes a great addition to this salad. Just cut the watermelon in to bigger chunks/slices to that it doesn’t fall through the grill.
• We haven’t added any herbs to this recipe, but in the past we have used fresh mint in it and it pairs beautifully with the watermelon and feta.
• Another delicious addition to this salad is some olives. It gives a little bit of extra saltiness, along with the feta, that contrasts the sweetness of the watermelon.
• Not got enough greens in this? Add some chunks of cucumber or celery for some added texture and to make it even more refreshing.
• If you are all about the sweetness in a salad, then swap the apple cider vinegar for balsamic vinegar. Or, add a drizzle of pomegranate molasses at the end.

If you’ve tried this Kale, Feta and Watermelon Salad or any other recipe on the blog then let us know how you got on in the comments below, we love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW US on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST to see more delicious recipe ideas, behind the scenes shots and also what we are getting up to.

Kale, Feta and Watermelon Salad Recipe

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Kale, Feta and Watermelon Salad

Prep Time

5 mins

Total Time

5 mins

 

We are firm believers that salads never have to be boring. If you think they are, then you aren't making them right. This Kale, Feta and Watermelon Salad is refreshing, super simple and packed full of all the good stuff. With its sweet and salty combination, it's the perfect side dish for your next BBQ.

Course: Salad

Cuisine: British

Keyword: feta salad, kale recipe, kale salad, watermelon salad

Servings: 4 people

Calories: 138 kcal

Author: Dannii

Ingredients

• 100 g Curly kale, chopped
• 2 tbsp Olive oil
• 2 tbsp Cider vinegar
• Juice of half a lemon
• 2 Garlic cloves, crushed
• A pinch of sea salt and black pepper
• 10 Pecans, crumbled
• 280 g Watermelon diced (1 cup)
• 60 g Feta cheese (2oz)

Instructions

1. Roughly chop the kale, wash well and put in a large bowl.

2. Add the olive oil, cider vinegar, lemon juice, garlic and salt and pepper to the kale and mix well.

3. Add the watermelon and feta and gently mix.

4. Serve in to a bowl and top with the crumbled pecans.

Extra Information

• If you aren't a feta fan , then grilled halloumi makes a great substitution. It gives the dish much more of a meaty texture and feels more like a whole meal rather than a side dish.
• Speaking of grilling, grilled watermelon is amazing. It really brings out the flavour, changes the texture and makes a great addition to this salad. Just cut the watermelon in to bigger chunks/slices to that it doesn't fall through the grill.
• We haven't added any herbs to this recipe, but in the past we have used fresh mint in it and it pairs beautifully with the watermelon and feta.
• Another delicious addition to this salad is some olives. It gives a little bit of extra saltiness, along with the feta, that contrasts the sweetness of the watermelon.
• Not got enough greens in this? Add some chunks of cucumber or celery for some added texture and to make it even more refreshing.
• If you are all about the sweetness in a salad, then swap the apple cider vinegar for balsamic vinegar. Or, add a drizzle of pomegranate molasses at the end.

Nutrition Facts

Kale, Feta and Watermelon Salad

Amount Per Serving (1 portion)

Calories 138 Calories from Fat 99

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 11g 17%

Saturated Fat 3g 15%

Polyunsaturated Fat 2g

Monounsaturated Fat 6g

Cholesterol 8mg 3%

Sodium 210mg 9%

Potassium 174mg 5%

Total Carbohydrates 7g 2%

Dietary Fiber 1g 4%

Sugars 3g

Protein 4g 8%

Vitamin A 59%

Vitamin C 58%

Calcium 9%

Iron 4%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.

This post was originally published 19th May 2016 and updated on 19th July 2018