In addition to fresh peas, rhubarb, and strawberries, each spring, I count down until I can savor my first bite of watermelon. Peak season spans from April to September. I definitely make the most of those glorious months by feasting on my fair share of Watermelon Fries, Grilled Watermelon Panzanella, Chile-Watermelon Salad, and Watermelon Relish—with a Watermelon Margarita or two sprinkled in for good measure.
I look forward to mixing up my watermelon recipe routine all summer long, but there’s one greatest hit that’s on repeat more than all the rest: a fresh mint, watermelon, and feta salad. Typically, I stick to the classic line-up of those three ingredients, plus a generous pinch of kosher salt and a splash of lime juice. When I spotted a creation billed as “Kate Middleton’s Watermelon Salad” on social media, I stopped mid-scroll to see how royalty takes this iconic spring dish to the next level.
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How to Make the Princess of Wales’ Watermelon Salad
It doesn’t appear that the Princess of Wales has officially confirmed that this is her recipe (yet), but Express UK and Women’s Health UK reported in 2022 that “watermelon salads are a staple of Kate’s lunches, and include juicy pink watermelon mixed with avocado, onion, cucumber, and feta cheese—the perfect mix of sweet and savory.”
Inspired by Kate’s alleged creation, this particular rendition flew onto our radar thanks to viral social media videos by Nicole Keshishian Modic (@kalejunkie) and Alex Hyslop (@alexskitchenstory).
Here’s how to DIY:
- Prep the ingredients. Starting with clean produce, cut your watermelon into cubes, chop an English cucumber, and dice an avocado.
- Toss and season the salad. In a large bowl, add the watermelon, cucumber, and avocado, plus crumbled feta cheese, a drizzle of olive oil, the juice from a lime, a splash of apple cider vinegar, and a handful of chopped or torn fresh mint. Season to taste with salt and pepper and dive in.
Tips For Making Watermelon Salad
Similar to how Kate Middleton’s timeless style shines thanks to high-quality staples like tailored blazers and crisp-white Superga sneakers, this no-cook recipe is so simple, that the little details make a major difference in the finished product. Here are a few tips from our Test Kitchen to consider as you dial-in your dreamiest watermelon salad:
- Find the freshest watermelon. Keep the “4 S” method in mind when picking a watermelon from the pile. The rind should have a bright sheen and have a spot of creamy, yellow shading on one side. (This is an indication of ripeness.) When you knock or pat on the exterior, the melon should emit a hollow, drum-like sound. Lastly, the fruit should feel heavy for its size.
- Pick the perfect avocado. A medium avocado is your best bet here. Again, it should feel hefty for its size. Look for fruit with dark green, crack-free skin. If you’re using the avocado in the next day or two, the skin should yield to pressure when you give it a gentle squeeze.
- Stick with English or Persian cukes. Since these varieties have thinner skins and smaller, sweeter seeds, we recommend them over slicing cucumbers.
- Choose another cheese. If you’re not fond of feta, goat cheese is a great choice, too.
- Try a different dressing. EVOO, apple cider vinegar, and lime juice soak into the fruits and veggies to add a lovely and bright layer of flavor. White Balsamic Dressing with Honey Mustard, Honey-Lemon Vinaigrette, or store-bought balsamic glaze would also be delightful if you want to switch things up.
- Go nuts. True, the watermelon and cucumber offer some crunch, but we think adding a handful of pistachios would be the “cherry on top.” The nuttiness of pistachios will echo that flavor in the avocado, and the salty, chewy addition will make each might even more satisfying.
The Verdict on Kate Middleton’s Watermelon Salad
Kate Middleton’s Watermelon Salad recipe was the first dish to disappear when I brought it to a late-spring potluck, and we all agreed that the buttery, nutty avocado and crunchy, refreshing cucumber were welcome additions to the party.
Not only did these two bonus ingredients add extra layers of color and texture, but the healthy fats in the avocado also made it noticeably more filling than the classic watermelon, feta, and fresh mint combo. Plus, watermelon and cucumber are among the most water-rich foods on the planet, so we were able to sneak in some extra hydration (just in case the Spa Spritzes were going down a little too smoothly).
Even with the avocado and cucumber, we thought this felt more side dish than center of the plate. To make it more of a meal next time, I look forward to adding a can of drained and rinsed white beans. No matter how you choose to customize Kate’s lovely lunch, if you share it with other diners, you might just earn the crown as the queen or king of summer entertaining.
