Refreshing Watermelon Arugula Salad (Printer-friendly)

A light, refreshing salad with watermelon, feta, and arugula for summer.

# What You'll Need:

→ Salad

01 - 4 cups cubed seedless watermelon
02 - 4 cups fresh arugula
03 - 3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
04 - 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
05 - 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves, chopped (optional)
06 - 1/4 cup roasted pistachios or walnuts, roughly chopped (optional)

→ Balsamic Reduction

07 - 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
08 - 1 tablespoon honey (or maple syrup)

→ Finishing

09 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
10 - Flaky sea salt, to taste
11 - 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

# Steps:

01 - In a small saucepan, combine balsamic vinegar and honey. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Stir frequently and reduce until thickened by half (about 10 minutes). Remove from heat and let cool.
02 - Arrange the arugula on a large serving platter or in a salad bowl.
03 - Scatter the watermelon cubes evenly over the arugula.
04 - Sprinkle with crumbled feta cheese, red onion slices, and mint leaves (if using). Add roasted nuts, if desired.
05 - Drizzle the extra-virgin olive oil over the salad.
06 - Drizzle the cooled balsamic reduction over the top.
07 - Season with freshly ground black pepper and a light pinch of flaky sea salt.
08 - Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • A delightful blend of sweet, savory, and peppery flavors perfect for summer.
  • Quick and easy to prepare in just 25 minutes total.
  • Bright, fresh ingredients that are vegetarian and gluten-free.
  • Versatile and customizable with optional nuts and mint for added texture and aroma.
02 -
  • Use seedless watermelon cubes to make eating easy and mess-free.
  • Simmer balsamic reduction gently to avoid burning and preserve sweetness.
  • Prepare the balsamic reduction ahead of time and cool to speed up assembly.
  • Crumbled feta adds saltiness—adjust seasoning carefully at the end.
  • Choose high-quality extra-virgin olive oil for the best flavor finish.
Go Back