Watermelon Jello salad with feta and mint is a delicious summer side salad recipe. Fresh fruit is added to homemade watermelon Jello and then topped with fresh mint and feta cheese. This watermelon Jello salad recipe makes a perfect light dessert, too.
Have you ever noticed, that as great as it is to crack open a box of Jello, it always tastes a little fake and artificial when you eat it? I mean, yes, it is great to make for the kids, but I don’t serve it often for guests. Not that I had snooty guests coming, but I was not going to serve this particular couple a box of watermelon jello with a handful of fruit thrown in. For my kids, yes. Other adults (that had previously mentioned that they knew I was going to serve something great) not so much. There is this totally mistaken notion that because I blog about my cooking that I am the next Top Chef! No, really I am not.
But, I do admit that I like to serve good food to my family and friends and I do enjoy it when they like it…better yet, ask for more. But on this particular day I wanted to do more than whisk a box of gelatin with hot water. Making watermelon Jello from scratch, using fresh watermelon juice, gives great flavor with minimal work involved.
Making this recipe isn’t too hard, but it does take a bit of hands off time to allow the Jello to set up.
Add fresh fruit of choice to the mix then pop it in the refrigerator.
Tips for Making Watermelon Jello Salad from Scratch:
- The Jello does need time to set, so start it in the morning or the night before. I used peaches and grapes as my add in fruits, but use what fresh fruit you have on hand. Fresh pears would be nice as well, but I didn’t have any.
- The Jello salad will set and present itself best if made in a 2 quart dish. The one I used is too big, so my Jello isn’t very thick. Next time, I will use an 8 inch square pan.
Total Servings 10 servings
Watermelon Jello is made from scratch, using fresh watermelon juice. Fresh fruit is added and the Jello is topped with feta cheese and fresh mint.
4 hrPrep (inc. refrigeration & rest time)
10 minCook Time
4 hr, 10 Total Time
Save RecipeIngredients
- 2 envelopes of unflavored gelatin powder
- 2 C watermelon juice (puree watermelon and run it through a strainer. the ‘water’ will be left)
- 1 1/2 C white grape juice
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 2 C of chopped fresh fruit. I used peaches and green grapes.
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Garnish:
- crumbled feta cheese
- fresh mint leaves, chopped
Instructions
- In a saucepan, sprinkle gelatin over the watermelon water. Let sit for 5 minutes. Add the zest and juice and cook on a low heat until gelatin is dissolved, about 10 minutes.
- Add half of this mixture to a pretty, 2 quart dish (as you do not un-mold this jello) and sprinkle the fruit over the top. Cover with plastic and refrigerate for 90 minutes. Allow remaining watermelon liquid to sit at room temp. I just left the saucepan on the stove.
- After the first layer has set, carefully spoon the remaining mixture over the top and return to the refrigerator. Allow to chill for a few more hours, or until set.
- When ready to serve, cut into squares and garnish with the feta and fresh mint.
Want more summer salad recipes?
Watermelon Blueberry Feta Salad
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