SouthernTurk
Unusual recipes for curious cooks.
https://southernturk.com/recipe/feta-and-watermelon-with-black-vinegar
Printed July 30, 2026
Printed July 30, 2026
5-Ingredient Magic
Feta and Watermelon with Black Vinegar
The classic Greek combination gets a Chinese twist: black vinegar's subtle sweetness and tang make watermelon taste more like itself. Salty feta completes the trinity.
Ingredients
- 4 cups seedless watermelon, cut into chunks
- 8 oz feta cheese, crumbled or cut into cubes
- 3 tablespoons Chinese black vinegar (or balsamic vinegar)
- Fresh basil leaves
- Freshly cracked black pepper
Preparation
Watermelon and feta is a combination that's traveled far beyond Greece, and for good reason: the juicy sweetness and salty creaminess create perfect balance. Adding Chinese black vinegar—with its malty, slightly smoky character—deepens the flavor in a way regular vinegar can't match. This is summer eating at its most elemental.
Preparation
- Arrange the watermelon chunks on a large serving platter.
- Scatter the feta over and between the watermelon pieces.
- Drizzle the black vinegar evenly over the entire platter.
- Tear the basil leaves and scatter them over the top.
- Finish with several grinds of black pepper and serve immediately.
The key is to serve this immediately after assembly—you want the distinct textures of crisp watermelon and creamy feta, not a mushy puddle. That said, the puddle that forms is excellent for soaking up with good bread.
