BBQ Watermelon Salad Recipe: Smoky-Sweet Crunch With Feta and Mint

As a pitmaster, I’m always excited to bring smoky flavors to fresh summer ingredients. This BBQ watermelon salad combines the best of both worlds – charred, caramelized watermelon meets crisp greens and tangy dressing. 🔥

The secret lies in grilling the watermelon to perfection, creating a sweet and smoky contrast to the refreshing mixed greens. With a simple tangy dressing, this salad becomes a refreshing summer delight that’s perfect for BBQs and outdoor gatherings.

Ingredients for Bbq Watermelon Salad

Gather these fresh summer ingredients for a refreshing BBQ watermelon salad.

[recipe_ingredient_scaler]

For the best watermelon, choose a ripe, firm one with a creamy yellow spot. Look for seedless varieties to save time. The mixed greens should be fresh and crisp—arugula or spinach work well. For the feta, sheep’s or goat’s milk varieties have the best flavor.

No apple cider vinegar? White wine vinegar or lemon juice can substitute. For a vegan version, skip the feta or use vegan feta alternatives. If you like a bit more heat, add red pepper flakes to taste. The smoked paprika adds a nice smoky depth, but it’s optional if you don’t have it on hand.

This salad is best made fresh, but you can prepare components ahead. Store the dressing separately in the fridge for up to 3 days. The watermelon can be cubed and stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 1 day. Assemble just before serving for the best texture.

Step-by-Step Instructions for BBQ Watermelon Salad

Here’s the method to create this refreshing summer salad with perfect balance of flavors.

🔥 Step 1: Grill the Watermelon

Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Cut the 4 cups Seedless Watermelon into 1-inch thick slices. Brush both sides with some of the 0.25 cup Extra-Virgin Olive Oil to prevent sticking. Grill the watermelon for 2-3 minutes per side until you get nice char marks and a slight caramelization. Remove from heat and let cool.

Once cooled, cut the grilled watermelon into 1-inch cubes. The grilling process enhances the natural sweetness of the watermelon and adds a smoky flavor that complements the other ingredients perfectly.

👨‍🍳 Step 2: Prepare the Salad Base

In a large bowl, combine the 4 cups Mixed Greens, thinly sliced 1 whole Red Onion, and chopped 0.25 cup Fresh Mint Leaves. The mixed greens provide a fresh base, while the red onion adds a pungent flavor and the mint leaves add a refreshing touch.

Toss gently to combine these ingredients. The freshness of the mixed greens and the brightness of the mint leaves are crucial at this stage.

🥘 Step 3: Assemble the Salad

Add the grilled watermelon cubes to the bowl with the mixed greens mixture. Crumble 0.5 cup Feta Cheese over the top. The creamy feta cheese balances the sweetness of the watermelon and adds a tangy element to the salad.

Gently toss the salad to combine all the ingredients. Be careful not to break the watermelon cubes or the feta cheese.

👨‍🍳 Step 4: Prepare the Dressing

In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar, 1 tbsp Honey, 1 tsp Dijon Mustard, 0.5 tsp Salt, 0.25 tsp Black Pepper, and 0.25 tsp Smoked Paprika. Slowly pour in the remaining 0.25 cup Extra-Virgin Olive Oil while continuously whisking until the dressing is well emulsified. The smoky paprika adds a subtle depth to the dressing.

Taste the dressing and adjust the seasoning if necessary. You can add more salt, pepper, or honey according to your preference.

🍽️ Step 5: Dress the Salad

Pour the prepared dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat all the ingredients evenly. Ensure that the dressing is distributed uniformly without overdressing the salad.

Serve the BBQ Watermelon Salad immediately, garnished with additional fresh mint leaves if desired. The combination of grilled watermelon, fresh greens, and tangy feta cheese makes for a delightful summer salad.

Make-Ahead Tips for bbq watermelon salad

Prepping Components Ahead

The key to making this salad stress-free is prepping components in advance. I like to cube the watermelon and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. The mixed greens can be washed and dried ahead of time, then stored in a separate container lined with paper towels to maintain crispness.

Dressing Preparation

The tangy dressing can be whisked together and stored in a glass jar in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. I recommend making this ahead as the flavors meld together beautifully. Store it in the fridge and give it a good whisk before using. If you’re using honey, you might need to thin it with a bit of water after refrigeration.

Grilling Watermelon

While you can grill the watermelon ahead, I find it’s best when done just before serving. If you want to prep this component ahead, grill the watermelon slices, let them cool completely, then cube them and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 day. The texture will still be great and the flavors will meld nicely.

Assembly Tips

Assemble the salad just before serving to maintain the best texture. When you’re ready to serve, combine the prepped mixed greens, grilled watermelon cubes, thinly sliced red onion, and crumbled feta cheese. Drizzle with the prepared dressing and toss gently. For an extra special touch, garnish with additional fresh mint leaves. 🌿

Timing Considerations

For a stress-free serving experience, I recommend prepping all components the day before. Then, on the day of serving, simply grill the watermelon, assemble the salad, and dress it just before serving. This makes the salad perfect for entertaining or potlucks where timing is everything.

Make-Ahead Benefits

One of the best things about this salad is that it allows for great make-ahead flexibility. By prepping components separately, you can assemble everything quickly when it’s time to serve. This makes it ideal for summer gatherings or BBQs where you want to enjoy your guests rather than being stuck in the kitchen. 🔥