Easy Summer Joy: Jamie Oliver’s Watermelon Salad Recipe

Jamie Oliver’s watermelon salad bursts with summer’s vibrant flavors and unexpected combinations.

Mediterranean ingredients dance together in this refreshing dish that transforms simple produce into something extraordinary.

Crisp cucumber slices intermingle with sweet, juicy watermelon chunks, creating a symphony of textures.

Tangy feta cheese crumbles add a salty counterpoint to the fruit’s natural sweetness.

Red onion provides a subtle, sharp edge that elevates the entire composition.

Bright herbs and zingy citrus notes bring depth and complexity to this light, irresistible salad.

Each bite promises a cool, invigorating experience that captures the essence of sunny days: dive in and savor the magic.

Why Jamie Oliver’s Watermelon Salad Refreshes Instantly

• Refresh Your Palate: This zesty watermelon salad bursts with summer flavors, combining sweet juicy watermelon with tangy feta and sharp red onions for a mouthwatering flavor explosion.
• Quick Kitchen Magic: Whip up this stunning dish in just 15 minutes, making it perfect for spontaneous gatherings, lazy weekends, or when you need a fast and fabulous side that looks like you've spent hours preparing.
• Texture Party in Your Mouth: Experience a delightful contrast of crisp cucumber, creamy feta, soft watermelon, and zingy marinated onions that dance together with every single bite, creating a symphony of textures that keeps you coming back for more.
• Health-Packed Deliciousness: Packed with low-calorie ingredients and vibrant colors, this salad delivers a nutritious punch while feeling like a total treat, proving that healthy eating can be ridiculously enjoyable and totally irresistible.

Ingredients to Create Watermelon Salad Magic

• Red Onion: Sharp ingredient that softens and becomes tangy when marinated in lime juice.
• Watermelon: Sweet, juicy base of the salad with refreshing summer flavor.
• Cucumber: Crisp vegetable that adds coolness and light texture to the salad.
• Cilantro: Fresh herb that provides bright, zesty green notes.

• Feta Cheese: Salty, crumbly cheese that adds creamy texture and tangy flavor.

• Lime Juice: Acidic liquid that marinates onions and adds bright citrus flavor.
• Black Pepper: Warm, spicy seasoning that enhances overall taste.
• Sea Salt: Finishing touch that intensifies and balances the salad's flavors.

How to Assemble Jamie Oliver’s Watermelon Salad

Step 1: Prepare Zesty Onion Marinade

Slice red onion into thin pieces and place in a small bowl. Pour fresh lime juice over the onions, ensuring they are completely covered. Let the onions soak and soften for 10-15 minutes.

Step 2: Combine Fresh Salad Ingredients

• Cubed watermelon
• Sliced cucumber
• Crumbled feta cheese
• Chopped fresh cilantro

Sprinkle freshly ground black pepper to enhance the flavors.

Step 3: Infuse With Marinated Onions

Drain the lime-soaked onions and carefully fold them into the watermelon salad mixture. Ensure even distribution of the tangy onion pieces throughout the salad.

Step 4: Final Seasoning

Right before serving, sprinkle high-quality sea salt over the salad. Toss gently to distribute the salt and create a balanced flavor profile. Serve immediately to enjoy the crisp, refreshing textures and vibrant taste.

Tips for a Juicy Watermelon Salad

• Crumble Creatively: Hand-crumble feta for a more rustic, authentic texture that melts beautifully into the watermelon salad.
• Season Sensibly: Sample the salad throughout preparation, tweaking lime juice, black pepper, and sea salt until the flavors sing.
• Mix Mindfully: Combine ingredients with a delicate touch to preserve the watermelon and cucumber's delightful shape and integrity.
• Select Strategically: Choose fresh cilantro for a zesty punch, or swap with mint or basil if cilantro isn't your favorite herb.
• Onion Optimization: Soak sliced red onions in lime juice for 10-15 minutes, transforming their sharp bite into a mellow, tangy delight.

Storing Watermelon Salad for Peak Freshness

• Vacuum Sealing: Extract air completely from a specialized storage bag before sealing to maintain salad crispness and prevent soggy ingredients. Lock in the fresh flavors and prevent quick deterioration by removing oxygen exposure.
• Mason Jar Layering: Strategically stack ingredients with dressing at bottom, firmer components like cucumber in middle, and delicate watermelon cubes on top. Seal tightly and store upright to prevent ingredient mixing and maintain individual textures.
• Quick Consumption Method: Prepare salad components separately and combine just before serving to preserve maximum crunchiness and prevent premature moisture breakdown. Store chopped watermelon, sliced herbs, and dressing in separate sealed containers in refrigerator, keeping ingredients fresh for up to 48 hours.

Flavor Variations on Watermelon Salad

• Summer Herbaceous Remix: Replace cilantro with fresh mint leaves to create a cooler, more refreshing flavor profile that complements the watermelon's sweetness.
• Greek-Inspired Mediterranean Mix: Swap feta for crumbled goat cheese and add kalamata olives for a more intense, salty Mediterranean experience that elevates the salad's complexity.
• Spicy Tropical Punch: Incorporate diced jalapeños or a sprinkle of chili flakes to introduce a sharp, warming heat that contrasts beautifully with the watermelon's cool, crisp texture.
• Protein Power Boost: Add grilled shrimp or diced chicken to transform this light salad into a more substantial main course perfect for summer lunch or dinner.

A Cool Wrap-Up for Watermelon Salad

Mediterranean sunshine dances through Jamie Oliver’s watermelon salad, blending zesty lime with crisp cucumber and creamy feta.

Bold flavors intertwine, creating a refreshing symphony of summer’s finest ingredients.

Tangy red onions marinate in sharp lime juice, adding depth to each colorful bite.

Cilantro whispers herbal notes across sweet watermelon chunks, awakening taste buds with unexpected complexity.

Simple ingredients transform into an extraordinary culinary experience that celebrates seasonal freshness.

Grab your fork, dive into this culinary adventure, and let passion for delicious moments inspire you to share, like, and spread Mediterranean magic with fellow flavor enthusiasts.

Jamie Oliver Watermelon Salad Recipe

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4.7 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Summer’s favorite Jamie Oliver Watermelon Salad brings Mediterranean freshness to your plate. Crisp watermelon mingles with salty feta, mint, and olive oil, creating a perfect balance that cools and refreshes you on hot days.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Fruits and Vegetables:

• 15 cups cubed watermelon
• 3 cups cubed English cucumber
• 1 cup sliced red onion, cut lengthwise
• ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro

Dairy:

• 1 (8 ounces / 226 grams) package feta cheese, crumbled

Seasonings and Liquids:

• 3 tablespoons lime juice
• Sea salt, to taste
• Cracked black pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Slice red onions into thin, delicate crescents and transfer them to a petite mixing vessel.
2. Drizzle fresh lime juice over the onion slices, ensuring complete coverage to initiate a quick pickling process.
3. Allow the onions to marinate and soften while preparing the remaining salad components, which helps mellow their sharp flavor.
4. Select a generously sized mixing bowl and carefully combine cubed watermelon, crisp cucumber chunks, crumbled feta cheese, and freshly chopped cilantro leaves.
5. Gently fold the ingredients together, maintaining the delicate texture of the watermelon and preventing excessive crushing.
6. Sprinkle freshly ground black pepper across the salad, adjusting the quantity to personal taste preference.
7. Drain the marinated onions and gently fold them into the watermelon mixture, distributing them evenly throughout the salad.
8. Just moments before serving, season with flaky sea salt to enhance the vibrant flavors and provide a delightful textural contrast.
9. Transfer to a serving platter and enjoy the refreshing summer salad immediately for optimal taste and crispness.

Notes

• Enhance the salad’s flavor by letting red onions soak in lime juice, which softens their sharp bite and adds depth.
• Break feta into rustic chunks using your fingers for a more authentic and textural eating experience.
• Opt for freshly chopped cilantro to elevate the dish’s brightness, with mint or basil as delightful alternatives.
• Handle watermelon and cucumber with a light touch during mixing to preserve their delicate structure and juicy integrity.
• Customize the seasoning by tasting and adjusting lime juice, black pepper, and sea salt until the balance feels perfect.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Snacks
• Method: Mixing
• Cuisine: British

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 93 kcal
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 370 mg
• Fat: 5 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 11 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg