Watermelon and Feta Salad

Watermelon Salad with Feta —

Blissfully Cooling & Nourishing for Summer

This watermelon salad is a soul-soothing, hydrating ritual for the hot days when your body craves lightness and freshness. With the perfect balance of sweet, savory, cooling, and a gentle kick, it’s designed to nourish all three doshas — especially helpful for Pitta in the summer heat, while still pacifying Vata and Kapha with grounding avocado and cooling cucumber.

Why this salad works for your Ayurvedic balance:

• Watermelon cools and hydrates, helping to soothe Pitta’s fire and flush toxins.

• Feta cheese adds a grounding, creamy element to balance Vata’s dryness — just enough to enjoy without heaviness.

• Cucumber refreshes and calms Pitta, supporting digestion with its light moisture.

• Avocado offers healthy fats to nourish Kapha and Vata without overloading the system.

• Fresh mint and basil bring digestive ease and a subtle uplift for all doshas.

• Serrano pepper is optional — a small amount can awaken digestive fire (agni), great for Kapha and Vata, but skip if you’re Pitta-sensitive.

• Lime juice brightens the palate and aids digestion while keeping the energy light.

Watermelon and feta salad

---

Ingredients

Dressing:

• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil (or cold-pressed ghee for an Ayurvedic twist)

• 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice

• ½ garlic clove, minced (stimulates digestion—optional if sensitive)

• ¼ teaspoon sea salt

Salad:

• 5 cups cubed ripe watermelon

• 1 heaping cup diced English cucumber

• ¼ cup thinly sliced red onion (optional, for a grounding sharpness)

• ⅓ cup crumbled feta cheese

• 1 ripe avocado, cubed

• ⅓ cup torn fresh mint and/or basil leaves

• ½ serrano or jalapeño pepper, thinly sliced (optional—use according to your dosha and digestion)

• Pinch of sea salt, to taste

---

Instructions

1. Make your dressing: In a small bowl, lovingly whisk together olive oil, lime juice, garlic, and sea salt until blended. This bright, cooling elixir will tie your salad together with grace.

2. Build your salad: On a large platter, layer the watermelon cubes, cucumber, and red onion. Drizzle half the dressing over these fresh gems.

3. Add the creamy & herbal notes: Scatter feta, avocado cubes, and fresh torn mint/basil over the top. If you’re adding a touch of spice, sprinkle the serrano slices now.

4. Finish with love: Drizzle the remaining dressing gently over everything. Taste and adjust with a pinch of sea salt if needed.

5. Serve mindfully: This salad shines best served fresh, enjoyed slowly with gratitude, and paired beautifully with light summer meals like grilled veggies, lentil patties, or simple quinoa bowls.

Ayurveda-Friendly Variations

• Skip the heat: If you’re feeling fiery or sensitive, leave out the serrano pepper — the salad will still be delightfully refreshing.

• Add crunch: Toasted walnuts or cashews bring grounding texture and healthy fats — great for Vata balancing.

• Make it a meal: Serve on a bed of peppery arugula with quinoa or sprouted lentils to add protein and sustain energy.

• Fruit swap: Strawberries or peaches also play beautifully with feta and herbs if watermelon isn’t in season.

What to Pair It With

This watermelon feta salad is your best companion for summer cookouts, picnics, and breezy dinners. It pairs effortlessly with grilled portobello mushroom burgers, hearty black bean patties, or even simple corn on the cob. For lunch, it’s divine alongside a Caprese sandwich or chickpea salad wrap — keeping you balanced and nourished without heaviness.

Enjoy this salad as a reminder to slow down, savor the fresh sweetness of summer, and honor your body’s need for cooling nourishment.