With sweet and juicy watermelon, salty feta, peppery arugula, and crunchy pistachios all tossed in a light Mint White Balsamic Vinaigrette, this Watermelon, Feta, & Arugula Salad is the perfect side dish for any summer dinner or BBQ.
Summer is in full swing now, and we have been really busy these last couple of weeks with lots of get-togethers, BBQs, and other things to do with friends and family. This comes with some good and bad. While I am loving getting to see everyone again, we haven’t had as much time to cook at home, and I have also definitely been slacking when it comes to posting new recipes lately (sorry!). But one thing I have been doing is whipping up lots of new, fresh summer salads for us to bring along to all of the parties and get-togethers.
I love cool, refreshing summer salads, especially when the weather is hot. And lately, I have been trying to incorporate lots of different summer staples into my salads. From a grilled corn and feta pasta salad with homemade cilantro pesto to a light and healthy, creamy slaw with avocado and cilantro dressing, I am loving reinventing summer sides and staples in healthy new ways. One of my favorite recent creations is this Watermelon, Feta, & Arugula Salad with Mint White Balsamic Vinaigrette.
The inspiration for this Watermelon, Feta, & Arugula Salad with Mint White Balsamic Vinaigrette came from the big pot of mint that has been exploding in my garden recently. The dressing is light, tangy, and slightly sweet thanks to white balsamic vinegar and just a touch of honey. Adding in some chopped fresh mint brings an unexpected herbaceousness that brightens up the watermelon. The combination of watermelon and mint is a perfect pairing for summer, full of freshness.
What is White Balsamic Vinaigrette?
The dressing for this Watermelon, Feta, & Arugula Salad is made using white balsamic vinegar instead of the traditional darker balsamic vinegar. Unlike the dark, rich balsamic vinegar, white balsamic vinegar is cooked at a high pressure before aging for just a short time. This prevents caramelization and results in a light, golden colored vinegar that has a gentler, milder flavor than traditional balsamic vinaigrette.
The vinegar boasts a slightly sweet, yet tart flavor with a lightly floral finish. The milder flavor of white balsamic vinaigrette allows the flavors of the mint and watermelon to shine through without over powering them.
You should be able to find white balsamic vinegar at nearly any grocery store. But if you are in a pinch, you can substitute any quality white wine vinegar.
How Do You Make Watermelon, Feta, & Arugula Salad with Mint White Balsamic Vinaigrette?
In addition to the white balsamic vinegar, a couple of other simple and fresh ingredients shine in this Watermelon, Feta, & Arugula Salad with Mint White Balsamic Vinaigrette. This includes:
- Watermelon: Nothing beats cool, fresh watermelon on a hot summer day. For this salad, I included 3 cups of seedless watermelon, cut into small ½ inch cubes.
- Feta: Salty feta cheese is the perfect pairing to sweet, juicy watermelon. I used a block of good quality feta cut into pieces about equal in size to the watermelon for great contrast of flavors.
- Red Onion: I love the tangy, bitter bite that red onion gives to nearly any salad. If you want to make it a little milder, make sure to use a sharp knife, and soak your onion in cold water for about 5 minutes after slicing. You could also substitute green onions if you can’t handle red onion.
- Pistachios: For just the right amount of crunch, I sprinkled some toasted, shelled pistachios in to this Watermelon, Feta, & Arugula Salad.
- Baby Spinach & Arugula: The peppery bitterness of arugula is a great contrast to sweet watermelon. I was serving a crowd, and since arugula can be a little strong for some, I used a combination of baby spinach and arugula. You could definitely just use all arugula if you prefer.
- Mint Vinaigrette: Finally, some finely chopped mint gets tossed into the homemade Mint White Balsamic Vinaigrette dressing, adding that herby mint flavor throughout.
Looking for more ways to enjoy the bounty of summer fruits and veggies? Here are a couple of my favorites:
- Watermelon Mint Margaritas
- Peach, Feta, & Arugula Salad with Fresh Basil Vinaigrette
- Pan Seared Pork Chops with Basil, Peaches, and Brussels Sprouts
- Blackberry Margarita Spritzer
What’s your favorite summer side? Let me know in the comments down below.
Watermelon, Feta, & Arugula Salad with Mint White Balsamic Vinaigrette
Ingredients
Watermelon, Feta, & Arugula Salad
- 5 oz baby spinach and arugula mix (substitute all arugula if desired)
- 3 cups seedless watermelon (chopped in ½ inch cubes)
- 4 oz feta (chopped in ½ inch cubes)
- ½ red onion (thinly sliced)
- ¼ cup shelled and roasted pistachios (roughly chopped)
Mint White Balsamic Vinaigrette
- 1 tbsp finely chopped fresh mint
- 3 tbsp white balsamic vinegar
- 6 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp dijon mustard
- 1 tsp honey
- ½ tsp salt
- Fresh cracked black pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Add all ingredients for Mint White Balsamic Vinaigrette to a small jar or tightly sealed container. Shake thoroughly to combine.
- In a large bowl, add spinach and arugula, watermelon, feta, onion, and pistachios. Pour dressing over top and stir gently to combine. Serve immediately.