Watermelon Arugula Salad

This Watermelon Arugula Salad is SO GOOD, and honestly, I wasn’t expecting it to be this good. The honey lime dressing and fresh mint are everything. Ten minutes, no cooking, and it’s the perfect thing to bring to a cookout this summer.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Most watermelon salads have a balsamic dressing, and while I love that version too, the lime honey dressing here is so much better. It’s brighter and more citrusy, and it pairs perfectly with the sweetness of the watermelon.

It’s also really simple. No fancy ingredients, no extra steps. Just toss everything together right before serving and finish with a little flaky sea salt on top.

A few reasons I love this one:

• Perfect for a cookout or dinner on the patio
• Honey lime dressing (not the usual balsamic)
• Only 10 minutes, no cooking required
• Easy to scale up for a crowd

Love a fresh summer salad? Try my Peach Arugula Salad with Pistachios or my Rainbow Orzo Salad.

Ingredients

For the salad:

• Watermelon: About 4-5 cups of cubed seedless watermelon. Look for one that feels heavy for its size and has a creamy yellow spot on the bottom. That’s how you know it’s ripe. Read more about how to choose the best watermelon.
• Arugula: I like baby arugula here because it’s a little more tender. Regular arugula works too, just gives you more of that peppery bite.
• Feta: Crumbled feta is the perfect salty cheese to pair with the sweet watermelon. Goat cheese also works great if that’s what you have.
• Fresh mint: Just a small handful, roughly chopped. Don’t skip it!
• Flaky sea salt: A little flaky sea salt on top to finish the salad, but it’s totally optional.

For the lime honey dressing:

• Lime juice: Fresh is best here. You’ll need the juice of 1 lime.
• Extra virgin olive oil: Use a good-quality extra virgin olive oil.
• Honey: Just a little to balance the lime.
• Sea salt: A pinch to round out the flavors.

*The full ingredient list with amounts is in the recipe card below.

How to Make Watermelon Arugula Salad

1. In a small bowl or jar, whisk or shake the lime juice, olive oil, honey, and salt until fully combined.
2. Arrange the arugula on a large platter or in a big bowl. Add the watermelon, feta, and mint on top.
3. Drizzle with the dressing and gently toss. Finish with a pinch of flaky sea salt. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Variations

• Swap the cheese. Goat cheese or fresh mozzarella both work really well in place of feta.
• Try a different herb. Fresh basil is a great swap for the mint if that’s what you have on hand.
• Add some crunch. A small handful of pistachios or toasted pepitas on top is really good.
• Add protein. Serve as a side with grilled chicken or shrimp for a full meal.
• Make it spicy. A few thin slices of jalapeño or a drizzle of hot honey will give it a nice kick.
• Add more veggies. Diced cucumber and thinly sliced red onion are both great additions. You can soak the red onion in cold water for a few minutes first to mellow it out.

Serving Suggestions

This Watermelon Salad with Feta and Arugula is perfect as a side at a cookout or BBQ. It goes really well with grilled chicken, burgers, fish tacos, or anything off the grill.

It’s also great to bring to a potluck or summer get-together. It looks beautiful on a big platter and comes together so fast.

For a lighter dinner, serve it alongside a simple grilled protein and call it a night. Patio dinner, done.

Make Ahead and Storage

Make Ahead: You can prep all the components ahead of time. Keep the watermelon, arugula, and dressing separate in the fridge and toss everything together right before serving.

To Store: This salad is really best the day it’s made. If you do have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a day. The arugula will wilt and the watermelon will release some liquid, but it still tastes great.

More Summer Salad Recipes

• Corn Salad with Avocado
• Peach Arugula Burrata Salad with Blackberries
• Caprese Tortellini Salad
• Summer Couscous Salad

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If you make this recipe, don’t forget to come back and leave a 5-star rating and a comment below.