A refreshing watermelon salad recipe to help beat the heat and eat well during summer.
When you make a purchase using a link on this page, we may receive a commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more information, please see About Us.
Watermelon, cucumber, and fresh herbs make the perfect summer salad.
With their sweet flavor and crisp crunch, it’s hard to think of a more perfect food to eat during summer than watermelon. This watermelon salad recipe showcases the refreshing taste of watermelon with crisp cucumber and salad greens, fresh herbs, and a tangy and sweet balsamic vinaigrette.
Where to Find Ingredients for Watermelon Salad
When making this salad at the peak of summer, it should be easy to find fresh watermelon, cucumbers, herbs, and other ingredients at the supermarket or your local farmer’s market.
Look for fresh salad greens, watermelons that feel heavy for their weight, and crisp cucumbers for best flavors.
If you grow watermelon in a vegetable garden, then a watermelon salad recipe is great to use once your watermelon ripens. Freshly harvested cucumber, leafy herbs, and summer salad greens are also great to add to finish off the perfect summer salad.
Balsamic vinegar is great to have on hand during summer to make homemade vinaigrette for refreshing salads, marinade for steaks and chicken, and to glaze vegetables for roasting, sautéing, or grilling.
How to Make Watermelon Salad
Watermelon salad is easy to make. First, choose a watermelon. A few rules of thumb for how to pick a ripe watermelon are that the watermelon should feel heavy for its weight, and have a dull rind with a creamy, yellowish spot on the bottom. When you thump the watermelon, it should sound hollow.
Choose a personal size watermelon for smaller portions that are easier to eat for one or two people. Once cut, watermelon can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
A homemade balsamic vinaigrette is used to dress the watermelon salad in this recipe. If you prefer, make the vinaigrette a few hours before assembling the salad, and store it in the refrigerator to chill.
To make the homemade balsamic vinaigrette, add olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and honey Dijon mustard to a bowl. Whisk to combine the ingredients. The honey Dijon mustard adds a bit of sweetness to the dressing and helps to hold the ingredients together.
Toss the balsamic vinaigrette with a few handfuls of mixed salad greens to coat. Arrange the salad greens in a bowl to serve.
Layer sliced cucumber, red onion, fresh herbs, watermelon, and feta cheese over the mixed salad greens. Serve the watermelon salad immediately. Grilled chicken, fish, or tofu make great sides for this dish.
What to Serve with Watermelon Salad
Watermelon salad makes a perfect summer meal or side dish recipe. Serve the salad with grilled chicken, fish, steak, or tofu.
Watermelon salad also makes a splash at summer picnics and parties. Pack the vinaigrette, salad greens, watermelon, and cucumber separately, and then toss the ingredients together just before serving.
Easy Watermelon Salad
Ingredients
For the balsamic vinaigrette:
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
- ½ tsp honey Dijon mustard
For the salad:
- 1 ½ cups chopped mixed salad greens rinsed and dried
- ¼ cup sliced cucumber
- 2 Tbsp finely sliced red onion
- ¼ cup fresh chopped leafy herbs such as basil and sweet mint
- 1 cup sliced watermelon seeds removed
- 2 Tbsp crumbled feta cheese
Instructions
- To make balsamic vinaigrette: Add olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and honey Dijon mustard to a bowl. Whisk to combine ingredients.
- Toss balsamic vinaigrette with mixed salad greens to coat. Arrange the salad greens in a bowl.
- Layer cucumber, red onion, fresh herbs, watermelon, and feta cheese over the mixed salad greens. Serve salad immediately.
This post was all about how to make watermelon salad for a refreshing summer meal or side dish.
— —
credits
- Photo by bhofack2 / Canva
- Photos are for illustrative purposes only.