Watermelon Carpaccio

Name: Watermelon Carpaccio
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 1/2 watermelon; 75 grams feta; 1/2 red onion; 1 tablespoon pistachios (roasted, chopped); 1 tablespoon mint (fresh, chopped); 2 tablespoons olive oil; pepper (to taste)

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This Watermelon Carpaccio with pistachios is sure to be your new favorite summer dish.

Thin slices of watermelon feta carpaccio are topped with crumbled feta cheese, red onion, chopped pistachios, and fresh mint, all artfully arranged on a white plate.

It’s sweet and savory, crunchy, and creamy, and makes a great side dish, served alongside grilled chicken, my bacon pasta salad, sausage pasta, burgers – you name it!

Slicing the watermelon so thin lets you taste all the different flavors in one bite. And that’s exactly what makes this my go-to recipe when it’s too hot to cook.

Recipe Tip

Double or triple the quantities and serve the salad as an appetizer on one big platter or make individual servings for everyone (that way there’s no fighting over the feta).

Watermelon Carpaccio Ingredients

Please be sure to scroll down to the recipe card below for the complete details!

A halved watermelon surrounded by bowls of feta cheese, olive oil, black pepper, mint leaves, pistachios, and a small red onion on a grey surface.

Watermelon: You want a heavy melon that sounds slightly hollow when tapped.
Red onion: Chop the onion finely so it is not too overpowering. You can also soak it in cold water for 20 minutes for a milder taste.
Feta: Use a good-quality block of feta for the best results.
Pistachios: I use roasted and salted pistachios for crunch and texture.
Olive oil: Acts as a dressing and ties everything together.
Black ground pepper: Add pepper to taste. You can add sea salt, but it’s not necessary, given that the feta is already salty.
Fresh mint: Mint complements the watermelon and adds a fresh, aromatic flavor.

How to Make Watermelon Carpaccio

A person slices the sides off a watermelon with a knife on a wooden surface.

Prepare the watermelon. Cut off the sides and remove the peel.

A person slices a thin piece of watermelon on a gray surface.

Slice the watermelon. Use a cheese slicer, a sharp knife, or a mandolin to cut thin slices of watermelon.

A hand arranges thin slices of watermelon on a platter.

Plate. Arrange the watermelon slices on a platter.

A hand sprinkles crumbled feta cheese over thin slices of watermelon and red onion.

Add toppings. Top with feta, pistachio, red onion, mint, olive oil, and pepper.

Possible Variations

Slices: If you don’t have a wide vegetable peeler, use a sharp knife to cut thin slices. You can even use a crinkle cutter for a fun effect!
Toppings: Try lime juice, pickled onions, chopped walnuts, macadamia or pecans, toasted pine nuts, pomegranate, capers, or a drizzle of hot honey or balsamic glaze.
Cheese: Swap the feta for crumbled goat cheese, blue cheese, or grilled halloumi.
Fruit: Use cantaloupe, Galia, honeydew, strawberries, or even dragonfruit for a different taste
Olive oil: Mix 3 tablespoons olive oil with a squeeze of lime juice, 1 teaspoon chopped mint, and 1 teaspoon honey to make a fresh vinaigrette.

How to Store Leftovers

Keep any leftovers in the fridge in a sealed glass container and enjoy within one day.

FAQs

Can I make the watermelon carpaccio recipe ahead of time?

You can slice the watermelon a few hours in advance and store it covered in the fridge until you are ready to assemble. Pat the watermelon dry to ensure it isn’t soggy.

How do I serve the carpaccio?

You can plate this recipe individually as a refreshing starter or increase the quantities and serve the salad on one larger platter to share.

I don’t have a cheese slicer. What do I do?

Use a sharp knife instead to cut thin slices. Alternatively, micro-dice the melon or use a melon baller.

Do I need to add the olive oil and pepper?

You can add or omit both as you prefer. I like how the olive oil ties all the flavors together, and the pepper gives it a bit of a kick.

What do I do with the watermelon leftovers?

Eat it as a snack (try it with a squeeze of lime juice) or chop it up and freeze it for smoothies.

More Watermelon Recipes

Salads

Watermelon Mint Salad

Snacks

Watermelon Salsa

Salads

Melon Salad

Salads

Hot Honey Watermelon Carpaccio

If you make this recipe or any other recipe on Foodbites, then I would love to hear from you! Please feel free to leave a comment and rating below.

Recipe at a Glance

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 2 people

Thin slices of watermelon feta carpaccio are topped with crumbled feta, red onion, chopped pistachios, and fresh mint, all beautifully arranged on a white plate.

Servings: people

By Sine Siemkowicz

Thinly sliced watermelon topped with crumbled feta, crunchy pistachios, finely chopped red onion, and fresh mint.

Prep: 10

Cook: 0

Total: 10

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Equipment

wide vegetable peeler

Ingredients

Instructions

Halve your watermelon.
Cut the sides off so you have an 8-10 cm wide piece of watermelon (3 inches).
Trim the peel off.
Slice the watermelon finely using either a wide vegetable peeler or a cheese slicer.
Place the watermelon slices on a platter. It’s fine if they overlap.
Top with crumbled feta, red onion, chopped pistachios, mint, olive oil, and pepper.
Serve.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 594kcal, Carbohydrates: 90g, Protein: 13g, Fat: 26g, Saturated Fat: 7g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 13g, Cholesterol: 33mg, Sodium: 441mg, Potassium: 1376mg, Fiber: 6g, Sugar: 71g, Vitamin A: 6682IU, Vitamin C: 94mg, Calcium: 280mg, Iron: 3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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