Fresh Watermelon Arugula Feta Salad with Mint
A refreshing summer salad combining sweet watermelon, peppery arugula, creamy feta, and fresh mint with a zesty lime dressing. Perfect for quick meals or summer gatherings.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups watermelon, cubed (about 1-inch pieces)
- 4 cups fresh arugula, washed and dried
- ½ cup feta cheese, crumbled
- ¼ cup fresh mint leaves, chopped
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- Juice of 1 lime
- 1 teaspoon honey or agave nectar (optional)
- Salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cut about 4 cups of watermelon into bite-sized cubes (roughly 1-inch pieces). Avoid overly ripe melon to prevent mushiness.
- Rinse 4 cups of fresh arugula under cold water and dry thoroughly using a salad spinner or paper towels.
- Finely chop about ¼ cup of fresh mint leaves.
- In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, juice of 1 lime, and 1 teaspoon honey or agave nectar if using. Season with salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the watermelon cubes, arugula, crumbled feta, and chopped mint.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and gently toss to coat without bruising the watermelon or arugula.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper if needed.
- Serve immediately or chill in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes to let flavors meld before serving.
Notes
Use a sharp knife and steady cutting board to cut watermelon neatly. Dry arugula thoroughly to avoid sogginess. Toss gently to avoid bruising ingredients. Fresh lime juice is preferred over bottled. Add cracked black pepper just before serving for best aroma. Serve immediately or chill briefly; avoid making too far in advance to prevent soggy salad.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 8
- Sodium: 220
- Fat: 8
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Carbohydrates: 10
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 4
Keywords: watermelon salad, arugula salad, feta salad, summer salad, mint salad, easy salad recipe, healthy salad, gluten-free salad, vegetarian salad