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The Watermelon Arugula Salad is a delightful and vibrant dish featuring crisp watermelon, zesty arugula, rich feta cheese, and crunchy pecans coated in a refreshing lemon dressing and garnished with finely chopped mint leaves.
Why We Love This Recipe!
- Refreshing Summer Salad: Dive right into the start of summer with these incredible flavors– Sweet and crisp watermelon, creamy feta cheese, and crunchy pecans topped off with bright, fresh mint leaves.
- Healthy Meal: Arugula salad has many health benefits beyond just being low in calories. It’s also packed with antioxidants and is believed to have cancer-protecting properties.
- Tasty Homemade Dressing: This simple arugula salad recipe comes with a bonus recipe! Enjoy this delicious homemade lemon and olive oil dressing again and again by making a larger batch you can store in your fridge.
Today’s delicious salad screams summer! Each bite of the salad with watermelon and feta transports you to the poolside, sipping on a summery cocktail and soaking up the sun.
And don’t get me started with this lemon salad dressing recipe, y’all. It’s the perfect bright taste to bring this recipe to the next level, but it can boost the flavor of just about any salad!
I’m so excited to start sharing more and more warm weather and sunshine-inspired recipes! If you’re looking for more fruity Summer Salad Recipes, try this Strawberry Spinach Salad with refreshing lemon vinaigrette and crunchy walnuts.
Or skip the leafy greens and enjoy this mouth-watering Mexican Fruit Salad packed with sweet and spicy flavors! Another of my favorites is the Creamy Grape Salad recipe with pecans, brown sugar, and juicy grapes.
Ingredient Notes
Variations and Substitutions
How To Make the Best Watermelon Salad Recipe
✱ Be sure to see the recipe card below for exact ingredients and full recipe instructions!
Step 1 | Mix the dressing
When making the dressing, whisk the lemon juice, honey, salt, and pepper together first, and then gradually whisk in the olive oil to emulsify the dressing.
Step 2 | Coat the arugula with dressing
Next, toss the arugula into a large bowl and swirl the dressing on top. Gently toss the simple lemon salad dressing with the greens until completely coated.
Step 3 | Add the toppings & serve
Finally, top the arugula salad with feta cheese crumbles, delicious pecans, diced red onion, sweet watermelon, and refreshing mint! Then, serve into salad bowls and enjoy!
Tips
- Make sure to dry the arugula well before using it in the salad. Wet greens can dilute the dressing and make the salad soggy.
- Crumble the feta cheese by hand instead of using pre-packaged crumbled cheese. This will give you better flavor and texture.
- Toast the pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat for a few minutes until they are fragrant and lightly browned. This will enhance their flavor and crunch.
- Use a sharp knife to thinly slice the red onion. Soaking the onion in cold water for a few minutes before using it in the salad can help to mellow its flavor and reduce its pungency.
- Double the Dressing– You can easily double or quadruple the ingredients to store in the fridge and use later in the week. It’s great on grilled meat or other summer salads.
Recipe FAQ’s
If you haven’t tried it before, the sound of watermelon combined with feta cheese may sound a bit odd. But you’ll just have to see for yourself– These two simple ingredients are absolutely DELISH together! The sugary sweetness of the watermelon is enhanced because of the contrast with the creamy and salty feta cheese, making a beautiful balance of flavors.
Switch things up next time you serve this recipe by drizzling it with another dressing. A popular pick is a simple vinaigrette made with red wine vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Or try it with a honey lime dressing that includes fresh lime juice, honey, olive oil, and a pinch of salt.
There are a few secrets to finding the tastiest and most ripe watermelon from the local grocery store or farmer’s market. First, look for a yellow spot. This may seem like a bad sign, but the yellow area shows that the melon was sitting in the field a little after it ripened, indicating that it’s super ripe, sweet, and delicious.
You can also judge a watermelon by its weight. It should be heavy, no matter how large or small, indicating it’s filled with plenty of juice. And finally, knock on the surface of the melon to hear a hollow sound. If it sounds dull, it may be overripe.
Storage & Make Ahead Instructions
Make-ahead: You can prepare the individual components of the salad in advance and store them separately. Cut the watermelon and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Wash and dry the arugula and store it in a resealable bag with a paper towel to absorb any moisture. Slice the red onion, chop the pecans and mint leaves, and store them separately in airtight containers.
You can also prepare the dressing in advance and store it in a jar with a tight-fitting lid in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.
Refrigerate for Later: If you have leftovers or make this recipe ahead of time, I highly recommend storing the salad separately from the dressing, or the greens and other ingredients won’t hold up well in the fridge.
When stored in different airtight containers, both should last up to three days.
Freeze for Long-term Storage: The salad won’t freeze well, but this dressing is perfect for making extra and storing it for later use. If you don’t think you’ll use it within a week of making it, you can freeze the dressing in an ice tray or a freezer-safe container.
Then, let it thaw overnight in the refrigerator for use the following day– EASY!
What to Serve with Watermelon Feta Mint Salad
Since this watermelon and arugula salad is basically summer in a salad bowl, it’s an excellent side for other summary dishes, like Marinated Grilled Chicken and Rice Pilaf. Or fry it with classic Grilled Steak and Chicken Kabobs, perfect for a summer cookout!
If you’re craving comfort food, I suggest serving this refreshing watermelon and feta salad with warm Grilled Summer Vegetable Pasta Salad that includes crisp veggies and rotini pasta, all tossed in a light dressing.
Delicious Homemade Sauces and Dressings
- Blueberry Vinaigrette Dressing Recipe
- Homemade Catalina Salad Dressing
- Buffalo Sauce from Scratch
- Crock Pot Cranberry Sauce
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Watermelon Arugula and Feta Salad
Ingredients
- 2 cups watermelon cubes, cut into 1 inch
- 5 ounces baby arugula, 5 cups
- 1 cup crumbled feta cheese
- ½ red onion, sliced
- ¼ cup pecans, chopped
- ¼ cup mint leaves, chopped (about 5-10 leaves)
Lemon Dressing
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice, (about 1 lemon)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon honey
- lemon zest, (from 1 lemon)
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, and black pepper until mixed together. Then gradually whisk in the olive oil to emulsify the dressing (until well combined).
- Place arugula in a large bowl and drizzle the dressing on top, gently toss until well coated.
- Top with feta cheese, pecans, red onion, watermelon, and mint. Serve promptly.
Notes
- Make sure to dry the arugula well before using it in the salad. Wet greens can dilute the dressing and make the salad soggy.
- Crumble the feta cheese by hand instead of using pre-packaged crumbled cheese. This will give you better flavor and texture.
- Toast the pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat for a few minutes until they are fragrant and lightly browned. This will enhance their flavor and crunch.
- Use a sharp knife to thinly slice the red onion. Soaking the onion in cold water for a few minutes before using it in the salad can help to mellow its flavor and reduce its pungency.
- Double the Dressing– You can easily double or quadruple the ingredients to store in the fridge and use later in the week. It’s great on grilled meat or other summer salads.
Nutrition Information
Nutritional Disclaimer
Soulfully Made is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.
©️Soulfully Made
I made this salad for lunch today and it was exactly the pick me up I needed! Light, refreshing and delicious!
So happy to hear you enjoyed it. Thanks you so much!
I adore watermelon. In a salad with the feta was just next level. The mix of the saltiness and juiciness was a match made in heaven.
Thank you so much! I agree the sweet and salty is a heavenly combination.
The fresh flavors in this salad combine together with the homemade lemon dressing perfectly.
Thank you, Sharon.
The juicy watermelon, tangy feta cheese, and spicy arugula make for a refreshing and satisfying salad, especially during the summer months.
Thank you, Jess.