As the days grow longer and temperatures rise, watermelon season quickly approaches, bringing with it the promise of cool, hydrating refreshment. In our home, watermelon isn’t just a fruit; it becomes a cherished summer staple, gracing our tables in countless forms. Its crisp texture and sweet, juicy flesh make it an incredibly versatile ingredient, equally at home in both sweet desserts and savory dishes. Today, we’re harnessing its unique qualities in this Watermelon Arugula Salad, crafting an ideal side dish that perfectly complements any grilling menu or provides a delightful contrast to heavier fare.

Beyond simply enjoying it sliced and chilled, watermelon proves to be a culinary chameleon. It not only contributes a burst of fantastic flavor but also adds a delightful crunch and satisfying texture to a variety of recipes. Its high water content makes it incredibly hydrating, while its natural sugars provide a pleasant sweetness without being overly heavy. This makes it an excellent addition for those looking to enjoy fresh, vibrant meals.

If you’re looking for more creative ways to incorporate this magnificent fruit into your cooking, you might enjoy some of my other favorite watermelon recipes. Try my Easy Watermelon Salsa for a sweet and spicy kick, or my refreshing Cucumber Salsa (which often features watermelon for added sweetness and crunch). For a unique appetizer, don’t miss my delightful Berry Melon Bruschetta.

What makes this particular watermelon salad truly special is its incredible adaptability. It serves as a fantastic base for a wide array of additional ingredients, allowing you to tailor it to your personal preferences or what you have on hand. Feel free to enhance its crunch with various nuts and seeds, like toasted pine nuts or sunflower seeds, or boost its nutritional profile by incorporating extra fresh vegetables or even tangy pickled vegetables for a delightful surprise. The possibilities are endless when it comes to customizing this vibrant dish.

There’s an undeniable satisfaction that comes from assembling and savoring fresh summer salads. They represent the season’s bounty, bringing together vibrant colors, crisp textures, and invigorating flavors. They’re not just meals; they’re an experience, a celebration of warmth and light.

If you find yourself craving more delicious summer salad ideas, I highly recommend exploring some of my other favorites, perfect for any occasion. Try this hearty Summer Orzo Pasta Salad, the flavorful Mediterranean Eggplant Salad, a classic and simple Easy Lebanese Salad, or the wholesome and delicious Mediterranean Farro Salad. Each offers a unique taste of summer’s finest ingredients.

Why You Will Absolutely Love This Watermelon Arugula Salad

This Watermelon Arugula Salad isn’t just another side dish; it’s a culinary experience designed to delight your senses and simplify your meal prep. Here’s why you’ll want to make it a regular feature in your summer rotation:

• Unforgettable Flavor Profile: Prepare your taste buds for an explosion of contrasting yet perfectly balanced flavors and textures. The sweet, hydrating juiciness of ripe watermelon provides a refreshing counterpoint to the vibrant, peppery bite of fresh arugula. Crumbly, salty feta cheese introduces a creamy richness and a savory depth, while a light, herbaceous vinaigrette brings everything together with a tangy finish. This combination creates a truly exciting and harmonious salad that’s far from ordinary.
• Effortlessly Easy to Prepare: Time is precious, especially during busy summer days. This salad respects your schedule, requiring minimal effort and no cooking. You can have it prepared and ready to enjoy in just 15 minutes from start to finish. This makes it an absolutely ideal side dish for those impromptu weeknight dinners, last-minute barbecue invitations, or whenever you need a quick, impressive dish without the fuss.
• Remarkably Versatile and Customizable: One of the greatest joys of this salad is its incredible flexibility. It acts as a blank canvas for your culinary creativity. Feel free to incorporate any other flavors, fruits, or vegetables that you and your family enjoy. For a herbaceous twist, consider adding finely chopped fresh herbs like fragrant parsley, cooling mint, or mild chives. Want to add more crunch? Toasted nuts or seeds are excellent additions. Its adaptability ensures that this salad can be a new experience every time you make it.

The Perfect Harmony of Flavors and Textures

What sets this Watermelon Arugula Salad apart is the thoughtful combination of its core ingredients, each playing a vital role in creating a truly memorable dish. The natural sweetness of watermelon, bursting with refreshing juices, is exquisitely balanced by the slightly bitter, peppery notes of fresh arugula. This contrast alone is a delight, but the addition of crumbled feta cheese takes it to another level. The feta’s salty, tangy, and creamy characteristics cut through the sweetness of the watermelon and complement the peppery greens, adding a sophisticated depth of flavor that lingers pleasantly on the palate. Finally, a carefully crafted vinaigrette, often infused with fresh herbs and a hint of garlic, provides the perfect acidic brightness, uniting all these elements into a cohesive and invigorating symphony of taste. It’s a testament to how simple, quality ingredients can combine to create something extraordinary.

Essential Watermelon Arugula Salad Ingredients

Crafting this vibrant salad requires a handful of simple, fresh ingredients that, when combined, create a truly spectacular dish. Below is an overview of the key components. For precise measurements and step-by-step instructions, please refer to the detailed recipe card at the bottom of this page.

• Greens: While many greens could work, I specifically choose fresh arugula for this salad. Its distinct peppery, slightly bitter flavor profile is not just a background note; it’s a star player that brilliantly cuts through the sweetness of the watermelon, creating a more complex and exciting taste experience. The delicate leaves also provide a lovely textural contrast.
• Watermelon: The star of the show! This delicious fruit is not only celebrated for its incredibly refreshing taste but also for its wonderful crunch and juicy texture, which adds a refreshing pop to every bite. For ease of preparation and enjoyment, I always recommend using seedless watermelon if it’s readily available. Opt for a ripe, firm watermelon for the best flavor and texture.
• Onion: A small amount of finely sliced red onion adds a subtle pungency and a beautiful pop of color to the salad. Red onions are preferred for their milder flavor compared to yellow onions, ensuring they enhance rather than overpower the other delicate ingredients. If red onion isn’t your favorite, finely diced shallots or thinly sliced green onions (scallions) make excellent alternatives, offering a similar mild, aromatic contribution.
• Cheese: Crumbled feta cheese is the perfect savory counterpoint in this salad. Its characteristic salty, tangy, and crumbly nature introduces a fantastic depth of flavor and a creamy texture that beautifully complements the sweet watermelon and peppery arugula. It’s truly what elevates this salad to gourmet status.
• Seasoning: To allow the natural flavors of the fresh ingredients to shine, I keep the seasoning simple yet effective. A modest pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste is all that’s needed to enhance and bring out the best in each component. Always taste and adjust as you go!
• Dressing: The light yet flavorful dressing is what brings all the individual elements together. It’s a classic vinaigrette crafted from high-quality extra virgin olive oil, which provides a rich, fruity base. White vinegar adds a bright, essential tanginess, while minced fresh garlic offers a pungent aroma and depth. Finally, a selection of fresh herbs (like basil, mint, or parsley) infused into the dressing provides an aromatic lift, making the entire salad sing with freshness.

Tips for Choosing the Freshest Ingredients

The success of any simple salad lies heavily on the quality and freshness of its ingredients. Here’s how to select the best for your Watermelon Arugula Salad:

• Watermelon: Look for a watermelon that feels heavy for its size, indicating a high water content. The underside should have a creamy yellow patch, often called the “field spot,” which signifies where it sat on the ground ripening in the sun. Avoid watermelons with white or greenish field spots. A dull, rather than shiny, rind is also a good indicator of ripeness. Give it a good thump – a hollow sound suggests it’s ripe.
• Arugula: Choose arugula with bright green leaves that are crisp and free from yellowing, wilting, or dark spots. The younger, smaller leaves tend to be more tender and less bitter.
• Red Onion: Select firm, unblemished onions with tight, dry skins. Avoid any that feel soft or show signs of sprouting.
• Feta Cheese: Opt for block feta cheese stored in brine, as it tends to be creamier and more flavorful than pre-crumbled varieties. This also allows you to crumble it yourself, achieving a better texture.
• Fresh Herbs: Always choose herbs with vibrant, unblemished leaves and a strong, fresh aroma. Avoid any that are wilting or discolored.

Creative Recipe Modifications and Additions

One of the best aspects of this Watermelon Arugula Salad is its inherent flexibility. Don’t hesitate to experiment with different ingredients to make it truly your own. Here are some fantastic ideas for customization:

• Experiment with Greens: If the peppery bite of arugula isn’t to your liking, or if you simply want to try something different, feel free to substitute it with other leafy greens. Baby spinach offers a milder flavor and softer texture, while a mixed greens blend can provide a variety of tastes and visual appeal. Alternatively, you can omit the greens entirely; the delightful combination of watermelon, feta cheese, and the vibrant vinaigrette alone will still create a wonderfully delicious and refreshing fruit salad.
• Boost with More Fruits and Veggies: Expand the flavor and nutrient profile of your salad by incorporating a variety of other fresh produce. For savory additions, consider juicy cherry tomatoes, crisp English cucumber slices, thinly sliced radishes for an extra crunch, or even earthy cooked beetroot. On the fruitier side, adding sweet mango, tangy pineapple, ripe strawberries, or plump blueberries can introduce exciting new dimensions of flavor and color. For an extra zing, I highly recommend including these homemade quick pickled red onions or a mix of quick pickled vegetables.
• Add a Nutty or Seedy Crunch: For an extra layer of texture and a boost of healthy fats, nuts and seeds are a fantastic addition to an arugula-based salad. Toasted pine nuts, sesame seeds, chopped walnuts, slivered almonds, crunchy pistachios, or sunflower seeds all offer distinct flavors and a satisfying crunch that complements the soft watermelon and crisp arugula beautifully.
• Vary the Vinegar: The vinaigrette is key, and changing the vinegar can dramatically alter its character. In place of white vinegar, try white wine vinegar for a slightly fruitier note, red wine vinegar for a bolder tang, apple cider vinegar for its subtle sweetness and health benefits, balsamic vinegar for a richer, more complex depth, or sherry vinegar for a nutty, aromatic touch. A delightful drizzle of sweet balsamic glaze over the finished salad can also add a gourmet touch.
• Infuse with Diverse Herbs: Fresh herbs are essential for elevating the freshness of this salad. Beyond the dressing, incorporating them directly into the salad can provide bursts of aroma and flavor. Experiment with finely chopped fresh parsley for a clean, green taste, chives for a mild oniony hint, cilantro for a bright, citrusy note, fresh basil for its sweet, aromatic warmth, tarragon for a subtle licorice-like flavor, oregano for a Mediterranean twist, dill for a fresh, slightly tangy essence, or even more fresh mint leaves for an extra cooling effect.

Serving Suggestions for Your Watermelon Arugula Salad

This versatile Watermelon Arugula Salad is an outstanding accompaniment to a wide range of summer meals. Its light, refreshing profile makes it particularly well-suited for:

• Grilled Meats: The sweet and tangy notes of the salad perfectly cut through the richness of grilled chicken, steak, pork chops, or lamb.
• Seafood: Pair it with grilled salmon, baked cod, or pan-seared shrimp for a delightful contrast that highlights the fresh flavors of the ocean.
• Light Lunches: Enjoy it on its own as a healthy and satisfying light lunch, perhaps with some added grilled halloumi cheese or chickpeas for extra protein.
• Barbecues and Potlucks: Its vibrant colors and crowd-pleasing flavors make it an instant hit at any summer gathering or outdoor event.
• Picnics: Pack it in a sealed container (dressing on the side!) for a fresh and delightful addition to your picnic basket.

How to Master This Simple Watermelon Arugula Salad

Creating this stunning watermelon salad is incredibly straightforward, requiring just a few simple steps. The key is in the freshness of your ingredients and a gentle touch. Follow these steps for a perfect salad every time:

Step 1: Prepare the Salad Base: Begin by taking a large salad bowl, ensuring it’s spacious enough to comfortably toss all your ingredients without bruising the delicate arugula. Gently combine the fresh arugula, neatly cubed watermelon, thinly sliced red onion, and the crumbled feta cheese. Toss these components with a light hand to ensure they are well-distributed without crushing the watermelon or arugula. The goal is to mix, not to mash.

Step 2: Craft the Herby Vinaigrette: In a separate, smaller bowl, it’s time to create the vibrant dressing that will tie all the flavors together. Whisk together the good quality extra virgin olive oil, white vinegar (or your chosen alternative), finely minced garlic, a generous handful of fresh herbs (such as basil, mint, or parsley, finely chopped), and a pinch of salt and black pepper. Continue whisking until all ingredients are thoroughly combined and the dressing emulsifies slightly, becoming uniform and fragrant. This ensures every drop of dressing delivers maximum flavor.

Step 3: Dress and Serve: Once your salad base and dressing are ready, it’s time for the grand finale. Drizzle the freshly prepared vinaigrette evenly over the salad ingredients in the large bowl. Toss gently once more, ensuring every piece of watermelon, arugula, and feta is lightly coated with the flavorful dressing. This careful approach prevents the salad from becoming overly saturated. Finally, taste a small portion of the salad and adjust the seasoning as needed – perhaps a little more salt, pepper, or a touch more vinegar for extra brightness. Serve the watermelon feta cheese salad immediately to enjoy its peak freshness and crisp texture!

Make-ahead tip: While this salad truly shines when served immediately, to maximize its crispness and prevent sogginess, you can absolutely prep the ingredients in advance. Keep the cubed watermelon, fresh arugula, thinly sliced onion, and crumbled feta cheese stored separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. This simple step ensures that you can quickly assemble and dress the salad just before serving, guaranteeing the freshest possible experience for your guests. Combining everything too far in advance can lead to the watermelon releasing its juices, making the salad watery.

Storage Tips for Leftovers

This Watermelon Arugula Salad, like most fresh green salads, is truly at its best when enjoyed immediately after preparation, when the arugula is crisp and the watermelon is at its juiciest. However, if you happen to have any leftovers, they can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Be mindful that the salad will naturally become more watery and the arugula may lose some of its crispness the longer it sits, as the watermelon will release its liquids into the dressing. For optimal enjoyment, try to consume it within 24 hours.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• Can I use different types of cheese? Absolutely! While feta is traditional and highly recommended for its salty tang, you could experiment with other cheeses. Goat cheese offers a creamy, slightly tart flavor, while a mild, crumbled blue cheese could add a sharper, more pungent note for those who enjoy it. Even fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini) or shaved Parmesan could work, depending on the flavor profile you’re aiming for.
• What if I don’t have seedless watermelon? No problem! If you’re using a watermelon with seeds, simply take a few extra minutes to remove them as you cube the fruit. It’s a small effort that significantly enhances the eating experience.
• Can I add a protein to make it a main dish? Yes, this salad is fantastic with added protein. Grilled chicken, pan-seared shrimp, chickpeas, or even grilled halloumi cheese would turn this refreshing side into a satisfying and complete meal.
• How can I make the dressing creamier? For a creamier dressing, you could blend in a tablespoon of Greek yogurt, a ripe avocado, or a teaspoon of Dijon mustard. Dijon mustard also acts as an emulsifier, helping the oil and vinegar stay combined.
• What kind of fresh herbs are best for the dressing? Basil, mint, and parsley are classic choices that complement watermelon beautifully. However, don’t limit yourself! Chives, dill, or a tiny bit of oregano can also add wonderful depth. Choose what you enjoy most or what you have fresh on hand.

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Watermelon Arugula Salad

By Julia Jolliff

This Watermelon Arugula Salad is the perfect light, fresh and fruity salad for the warmer months. Juicy watermelon is mixed with peppery arugula, fresh herbs and creamy feta cheese. The salad is dressed with a light herby vinaigrette. Your guests will love this salad alongside grilled meats and seafood.

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Prep: 15 minutes mins

Total: 15 minutes mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients 

• ▢ 4 cups arugula
• ▢ 3 cups watermelon, cubed
• ▢ 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
• ▢ 1 cup feta cheese, crumbled
• ▢ Salt and pepper to taste

For the dressing:

• ▢ 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
• ▢ 1/4 cup white vinegar
• ▢ 2 tablespoons fresh herbs (such as basil, mint, or parsley), finely chopped
• ▢ 2 garlic cloves, minced

Instructions 

• In a large salad bowl, combine the arugula, watermelon cubes, red onion slices, and crumbled feta cheese. Toss gently to mix.
• In a separate small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, white vinegar, minced garlic, fresh herbs, salt, and pepper until well combined.
• Drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently to coat the ingredients evenly.
• Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.
• Serve the watermelon feta cheese salad immediately and enjoy!

Notes

• Can I make the salad ahead of time? While it’s best to enjoy this salad immediately after preparing it, you can prep the ingredients in advance and assemble the salad just before serving. Keep the watermelon cubes, arugula, sliced onion, and crumbled feta cheese separate until you’re ready to serve. This will help prevent the salad from becoming too watery.
• Can I substitute the arugula with another type of greens? Yes, if you’re not a fan of arugula, you can substitute it with other greens like baby spinach or mixed salad greens. The combination of watermelon, feta cheese, and the vinaigrette will still create a delicious salad.

Nutrition Information Disclaimer

The following nutrition information is an estimate calculated automatically by a third-party application. It should be used as an approximation only and is not a substitute for professional dietary advice. Individual nutritional values may vary based on specific ingredient brands, preparation methods, and serving sizes.

Calories: 395kcal, Carbohydrates: 14g, Protein: 7g, Fat: 35g, Saturated Fat: 9g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 21g, Cholesterol: 33mg, Sodium: 437mg, Potassium: 286mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 9g, Vitamin A: 1388IU, Vitamin C: 16mg, Calcium: 241mg, Iron: 1mg

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