As watermelon season rapidly approaches, our household, like many others, eagerly anticipates its arrival. Once the warm weather truly settles in, watermelon transforms from a treat into a summer staple. Its refreshing nature and hydrating properties make it a natural choice for light meals, snacks, and especially for vibrant salads and appetizers. Today’s Watermelon Arugula Salad perfectly captures that essence—a truly light and fruity creation designed to complement all your grilling adventures.

Watermelon is an incredibly versatile fruit. While delightful on its own, its unique flavor profile and textural crunch allow it to shine in both sweet and savory applications. It’s not just about the taste; watermelon also brings a satisfying juiciness and a subtle, refreshing counterpoint to richer ingredients.

If you love experimenting with watermelon, I highly recommend trying some of my other favorite recipes, such as my Easy Watermelon Salsa, the delightful twist of Cucumber Salsa (which can easily incorporate watermelon for added sweetness), or my elegant Berry Melon Bruschetta.

This particular Watermelon Arugula Salad is wonderfully adaptable. Don’t hesitate to personalize it with your favorite additions. A sprinkle of toasted nuts or seeds can add crunch, extra vegetables can boost its nutritional value, and even pickled vegetables can introduce an exciting tangy element. The beauty of summer salads lies in their freshness and ability to be endlessly customized.

There’s an undeniable satisfaction that comes with creating and enjoying these vibrant summer dishes. If you’re looking for more fresh inspiration beyond this recipe, some other salads I frequently prepare include the bright Summer Orzo Pasta Salad, the robust Mediterranean Eggplant Salad, the simple yet flavorful Easy Lebanese Salad, and the wholesome Mediterranean Farro Salad. Each offers a unique way to enjoy the season’s bounty.

Why You Will Absolutely Love This Watermelon Salad

• Explosion of Flavor: This salad masterfully combines sweet, savory, and spicy notes for an unforgettable taste experience. The juicy sweetness of fresh watermelon perfectly complements the robust, peppery bite of arugula, while the salty, crumbly feta adds a rich, creamy texture. The entire symphony of flavors is harmonized by a bright, herby vinaigrette that ties everything together.
• Effortlessly Easy to Prepare: In just 15 minutes, you can have this vibrant salad ready to serve. Its quick preparation time makes it an ideal last-minute side dish for weeknight dinners, spontaneous BBQs, or when you need a stunning yet simple dish for entertaining. No complicated cooking steps, just fresh ingredients and simple assembly.
• Incredibly Versatile: One of the best aspects of this watermelon salad is its adaptability. It serves as a fantastic base for myriad additions. Feel free to incorporate other fresh herbs like parsley, mint, chives, or basil for an added aromatic dimension. You can also experiment with different cheeses, nuts, seeds, or even other fruits and vegetables to truly make it your own.
• Healthy and Hydrating: Watermelon is renowned for its high water content, making this salad incredibly hydrating on hot days. Arugula is packed with vitamins and antioxidants, and the olive oil in the dressing provides healthy fats. It’s a delicious way to nourish your body while enjoying a light and satisfying meal.
• Visually Stunning: With its striking contrast of red watermelon, green arugula, and white feta, this salad is a feast for the eyes as much as it is for the palate. It adds a beautiful pop of color to any table, making it perfect for summer entertaining and special occasions.

Essential Recipe Ingredients for a Perfect Summer Salad

Here’s an overview of the simple, fresh ingredients we’re using to create this incredible salad. For precise measurements and detailed printable instructions, please refer to the recipe card below.

• Arugula (Greens): We specifically choose arugula for this salad because its wonderfully spicy and slightly bitter notes provide a superb contrast to the inherent sweetness of the watermelon. It adds a sophisticated edge that other milder greens might miss, truly elevating the flavor profile.
• Watermelon: The star of the show! This juicy, delicious fruit is not just for taste; it brings an incredible crunch and texture that makes the salad so refreshing. For convenience and a smoother eating experience, I always opt for seedless watermelon when it’s available. Look for a firm, heavy watermelon with a dull spot on one side (where it rested on the ground), indicating ripeness.
• Red Onion: Thinly sliced red onion adds a subtle pungency and a beautiful pop of color to the salad. Its milder flavor compared to other onion varieties prevents it from overpowering the delicate balance of the dish. Shallots or thinly sliced green onions (scallions) are also excellent alternatives if you prefer an even milder allium note.
• Feta Cheese: Crumbled feta cheese introduces a fantastic creamy texture and a crucial salty element to the salad. Its tangy, briny flavor perfectly balances the sweetness of the watermelon and the peppery arugula, creating a harmonious blend of tastes. Choose a good quality feta, preferably from sheep or goat’s milk, for the best flavor.
• Seasoning: We keep the seasoning beautifully simple: just a touch of high-quality Salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste. These basic seasonings enhance the natural flavors of the fresh ingredients without masking them.
• Herby Vinaigrette Dressing: The dressing is light, bright, and packed with flavor, designed to coat rather than drown the salad. It’s a simple blend of good quality extra virgin olive oil, crisp white vinegar, fragrant minced garlic, and a generous amount of fresh herbs. This homemade dressing is key to the salad’s fresh character.

Creative Recipe Modifications and Additions

This Watermelon Arugula Feta Salad is incredibly versatile and can be easily adapted to suit your personal preferences or what you have on hand. Don’t be afraid to get creative and make it your own!

• Alternate Greens: While arugula provides a fantastic peppery contrast, it’s not the only option. If you prefer a milder base or aren’t a fan of arugula’s bite, you can easily substitute it with other leafy greens. Baby spinach offers a tender texture and a subtle, earthy flavor, while mixed salad greens provide a varied blend of tastes and textures. You could also serve the watermelon and feta combo on its own if you prefer to omit the greens altogether; the vibrant fruit and salty cheese are delicious on their own.
• Adding More Fruits and Veggies: Enhance the nutritional content and flavor profile by incorporating other seasonal produce.
  • Vegetables: Try adding small, ripe cherry tomatoes (halved or quartered), thinly sliced English cucumber for extra crunch and hydration, finely diced bell peppers (red or yellow for sweetness), or even thinly sliced radish for an additional peppery note. Roasted or grilled beetroot (cooled and diced) can add an earthy sweetness and stunning color.
  • Fruits: Explore other fruit combinations like diced mango or pineapple for a tropical twist, fresh strawberries or blueberries for a burst of berry goodness, or even grapes (halved) for added sweetness and chewiness.
  • Pickled Elements: For a tangy kick that beautifully complements the sweet watermelon, consider adding these homemade quick pickled red onions or a mix of quick pickled vegetables. Their acidity provides a wonderful counterpoint to the sweetness.
• Nuts and Seeds for Crunch: Toasted nuts and seeds are a fantastic way to add textural contrast and healthy fats. Some of my favorites include: pine nuts (lightly toasted for aroma), sesame seeds (black or white for a subtle nutty flavor), chopped walnuts, slivered almonds, pistachios for a vibrant green hue, or sunflower seeds. These additions bring a satisfying crunch that makes each bite more interesting.
• Vinegar Variations for the Dressing: The dressing’s vinegar component offers plenty of room for experimentation. Instead of white vinegar, try white wine vinegar for a slightly softer acidity, red wine vinegar for a more robust flavor, apple cider vinegar for a fruity tang, rich balsamic vinegar for a deeper, sweeter note, or elegant sherry vinegar. A decadent drizzle of balsamic glaze over the finished salad can also add a beautiful shine and concentrated sweetness.
• Fresh Herb Enhancements: Herbs are key to a truly fresh salad. Don’t limit yourself to just one type! Incorporate a mix of fresh herbs into both the salad itself and the dressing. Consider fresh parsley for an earthy, clean taste; chives for a delicate onion flavor; cilantro for a bright, citrusy note (if you enjoy it); fresh basil for a sweet, aromatic touch; tarragon for a hint of anise; oregano for a Mediterranean flair; dill for a distinctive fresh flavor; or additional fresh mint leaves for an extra layer of cooling refreshment.
• Protein Boost: To transform this side salad into a light main course, consider adding grilled chicken, shrimp, flaked salmon, or even chickpeas for a vegetarian option.
• Cheese Swaps: If feta isn’t your preference, try crumbled goat cheese for a milder, creamier tang, or shaved Parmesan for a nutty, salty umami.

Simple Steps to Make a Refreshing Watermelon Arugula Salad

Crafting this vibrant Watermelon Arugula Salad is incredibly straightforward. Follow these easy steps to assemble your perfect summer dish:

Step 1: Prepare the Salad Base: In a spacious mixing bowl, gently combine the fresh arugula, perfectly cubed watermelon, thinly sliced red onion, and the deliciously crumbled feta cheese. Toss these ingredients with a light hand to ensure they are evenly distributed without bruising the delicate arugula or watermelon.

Step 2: Whisk Together the Vinaigrette Dressing: In a separate, smaller bowl, combine the liquid components and seasonings for your dressing. Whisk together a good quality extra virgin olive oil, white vinegar, freshly minced garlic, and your chosen fresh herbs. Season this mixture with salt and black pepper to taste, ensuring all ingredients are well combined and the flavors are fully integrated.

Step 3: Dress and Serve the Salad: Drizzle the freshly prepared vinaigrette evenly over your salad mixture. Gently toss the ingredients once more to ensure every piece is lightly coated with the flavorful dressing. Before serving, taste the salad and adjust the seasoning if needed – perhaps a little more salt or a grind of pepper to perfectly suit your palate.

For the best experience, serve this delightful watermelon feta cheese salad immediately and enjoy its peak freshness and vibrant flavors!