Grilled Watermelon and Feta Salad

This easy and delicious grilled watermelon and feta salad is made with romaine lettuce and topped with a garlicky, lemon vinaigrette. Ideal for outdoor entertaining, it’s delicious on its own or topped with grilled chicken.

I recently returned from another wonderful Fresh Air Retreat, a food blogger retreat I host twice a year. Most recently we’ve traveled to Austin, New Orleans, and Park City. Our spring session this year took place in the beautiful city of Miami, and it couldn’t have been more perfect. The retreat consists of learning from our sponsors and attendees, meeting new people, and of course, eating delicious food! One recipe I developed this year was this delicious Grilled Watermelon and Feta Salad. The perfect salad for summer BBQs!

The Wonderful people

Each retreat, I am thrilled to meet and learn from other food bloggers. Collaboration over competition is my motto! Check out this season’s attendees:

• Lauren Grier of The Curious Plate (and Fresh Air Retreat co-founder)
• MacKenzie Smith of Grilled Cheese Social
• Shannon Epstein the Fit Slow Cooker Queen
• Michelle Hoover from Unbound Wellness
• Aleka Shunk from Aleka’s Get-Together
• Brita Britnell of Food with Feeling
• Kylie Mazon-Chambers from Cooking with Cocktail Rings
• Kim Lee of Kim’s Cravings
• Lexi Harrison from Crowded Kitchen

Our Amazing Sponsors

We’ve enjoyed a visit from Flor de Caña twice now, and it was a wonderful time all over again! We enjoyed a small bites happy hour while we learned about the different aged rums and flavor profiles, and made a few delicious cocktails: Flor Spritz, Flor Old Fashioned, and Flor Spresso Martini.

Minute Rice set up an incredible rice bowl bar showcasing their easy to make rice cups, in 6 different flavors! Done in just 60 seconds, these cups are the perfect quick meal starter. Just add your favorite toppings! I loved the cilantro lime rice best, and my kids love to have them as an after school snack (definitely a bonus that they can heat them up themselves).

We had a very helpful brainstorming session with Grocer’s List, talking about ways to improve usability for ourselves and our readers. They gave us lots of things to think about, as well as tools we can incorporate into our websites and social media strategies.

You guys know everything we did included food (we are all recipe bloggers after all), but our dinner at Serevene was utterly divine! Visit Miami hosted a dinner with an Izakaya Style tasting menu at this beautiful restaurant right in the heart of Miami Beach. This red beet noodle was one of my favorites, along with the heritage masala chicken!

Finally, we had a delicious session with CURRENT, featuring their new dual zone electric grill. With its wi-fi connection, dual-zone temperature control, and fully electric design, it’s a cleaner, easier, more flexible grilling experience. It was during this session we made and enjoyed the Grilled Watermelon and Feta Salad.

Ingredients

Now let’s get back to this deliciously simple salad that is perfect for summer. Here is what you’ll need:

• For the salad: Watermelon, romaine lettuce, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
• For the vinaigrette: Olive oil, lemon juice, dried oregano, garlic, Dijon mustard, crumbled feta, salt, and pepper.

How to Make a Grilled Watermelon and Feta Salad

My good friend Chef Trimell Hawkins helped to prepare this, and many other dishes, as our private chef at the retreat. Like him, you’ll start your grilled watermelon and feta salad by removing the rind from your melon and cutting into slices or wedges. Brush the watermelon slices and romaine hearts with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and black pepper.

Then on your preheated grill, add the romaine lettuce and watermelon and cook over medium-high heat. While it cooks, whip up your vinaigrette.

Cook for about 3 minutes per side, only rotating once. You want to leave it long enough to get nice grill marks, letting the sweet watermelon juice caramelize.

Once finished cooking, top with the vinaigrette and crumbled feta cheese. If you have any, fresh herbs like basil or mint would be great as well! Serve and enjoy your Grilled Watermelon and Feta Salad!

Frequently Asked Questions

More Fresh Air Retreat Recipes

• Lebanese Rice Bowls with Hummus
• Apple Gin Fizz Cocktail
• Roasted Chicken with Sweet Potatoes and Pears
• How to Host a Charcuterie Party
• Spicy Apple Moscow Mule

Eat It, Like It, Share It!

Did you try making this grilled salad? Snap a picture and share it to your socials! Tag @thelemonbowl and #thelemonbowl so we can admire and share your dish!

I couldn’t have asked for a better group of people to have fun and learn with in Miami. It might have been only three days, but we sure did work hard and play hard! Outdoor gatherings are perfect for groups like these, which made this grilled salad such a perfect choice. I’m sure you’ll love it, too!

Your fork is waiting.

Disclosure: This recipe was developed in partnership with multiple sponsors. Thank you for supporting the brands that make The Lemon Bowl possible. All thoughts are my own.