This Arugula Watermelon Salad is healthy, refreshing and easy to make with peppery arugula, juicy watermelon and avocado with a lemon tahini dressing. It’s the perfect lunch or light dinner and simple to customize with any spring or winter fruit. Naturally gluten-free, vegan, grain-free, low carb, keto, paleo and Whole30 compliant.
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Updated June 2021
Easy Arugula Watermelon Salad Recipe
Looking for a light and refreshing salad? This Arugula Watermelon Salad is bright, beautiful and full of spring and summer flavors. It comes together easily with peppery arugula, baby spinach, juicy watermelon, crunchy pecans with a lemon tahini dressing.
Why we love this refreshing salad recipe
- Simple to make and customize with just a few ingredients
- Super refreshing and delicious,
- Makes a quick and easy lunch, dinner
- Naturally gluten-free and fits into various diets such as paleo, dairy-free, plant-based, low carb, Keto, vegan and Whole30 compliant
- You can make a big batch for summer barbecues, picnics or serve as a side to a comforting and cozy dinner
Ingredients you need to make this summer salad delicious
For the salad
- Arugula – you’ll need 3 cups loosely packed arugula. We love the taste of peppery arugula with watermelon. If you’re not a fan of the spicy green, feel free to swap with any other mixed green of your choice.
- Mixed greens of choice – I used green leaf and baby spinach but feel free to use escarole, romaine lettuce or iceberg lettuce
- Watermelon – cut into 1-inch cubes.
- Avocado – diced
- Toppings – Pecans, pistachios, sliced almonds and hemp seeds add that perfect crunch
- Herbs – Chopped fresh mint
Optional add-ins and toppings:
- Feta – vegan or regular feta. We like Violife to keep this salad dairy-free.
- Crunchy seeds and nuts – chopped pecans, hemp seeds, sliced almonds and sunflower seeds are all delicious options.
For the Dressing
The light and bright arugula salad dressing is made with just 5 ingredients:
- Lemon juice
- Tahini
- Avocado oil (or extra virgin-olive oi)
- Nutritional yeast – optional or feel free to use parmesan if not dairy-free, vegan, Whole30 or paleo
- Salt
- Black pepper
How to make Arugula Watermelon Salad
- Make the dressing: Add all the ingredients for the dressing in jar or a bowl. Shake or whisk until combined.
- Chop watermelon: Cut the watermelon into 1-inch cubes. Be sure to check out my post on How to Cut a Watermelon if you’ve never cut a watermelon before.
- Add the greens: Place the arugula leaves in a large mixing bowl. Season with salt, pepper and little bit of the dressing.
- Assemble salad: Add the remaining salad ingredients and drizzle with more dressing. Top with nuts and seeds of choice.
Make Ahead and Storage Tips
If prepping this salad ahead of time, store the dressing separately until ready to serve.
- To Make This Arugula and Watermelon Feta Salad Ahead. Prepare the dressing in a jar and seal with an airtight lid. Store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Rinse and dry the arugula ahead of time and wrap with a paper towel in a large resealable bag. Store in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Chop the watermelon ahead of time and store in a glass resealable container or a separate resealable bag. When ready to serve, assemble the salad.
- To Store. You can store leftover dressed salad in the refrigerator for 1 day.
Variations and Tips
- Add strawberries, cabbage, pickled onions, grape tomatoes or sun-dried tomatoes for an extra punch of flavour
- Sprinkle on some vegan ricotta or feta if not dairy-free, Whole30 or paleo
- Serve with some air fryer tofu to make this a complete vegan dinner or some grilled salmon, grilled chicken or any protein of choice.
More healthy salad recipes you might like:
Healthy Summer Salad with Arugula and Peaches
This Arugula Watermelon Salad is healthy, refreshing and easy to make with peppery arugula, juicy watermelon and avocado with a lemon tahini dressing. It's the perfect lunch or light dinner and simple to customize with any spring or winter fruit. Naturally gluten-free, vegan, grain-free, low carb, keto, paleo and Whole30 compliant.
- 3 cups loosely packed organic arugula leaves , washed and dried - swap with any other mixed green such as spinach or kale if you prefer
- 1 cup mixed greens , washed and dried
- 2 cups watermelon cubes (about 1-inch)
- 1/2 avocado , diced
- 1-2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
- 1 tablespoons chopped pecans
- 1/2 tablespoon sliced almonds
- 1/2 teaspoon hemp seeds
- 1/4 tsp sunflower seeds
- 1/4 cup crumbled vegan feta , we like Violife
- 2 tablespoons tahini
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon
- 3-4 tablespoons avocado oil OR extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 tsp nutritional yeast OR Dijon mustard
- sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
- 1/2 tsp liquid sweetener of choice , maple syrup, honey (if not vegan), or sugar-free maple syrup
Make the dressing: Add all the ingredients for the dressing in jar or a bowl. Shake or whisk until combined.
Chop watermelon: Cut the watermelon into 1-inch cubes. Be sure to check out my post on How to Cut a Watermelon if you've never cut a watermelon before.
Add the greens: Place the arugula leaves in a large mixing bowl. Season with salt, pepper and little bit of the dressing.
Assemble salad: Add the remaining salad ingredients and drizzle with more dressing. Top with nuts and seeds of choice.
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