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This colorful Tomato and Watermelon Salad with Feta Cheese, featuring the freshest summer fruits and vegetables paired with zesty feta cheese, is not only nutritious but also simple and refreshing.
Why You’ll 🫶🏻 this Salad
Watermelon and feta have long been a beloved salad duo, but elevating it with peppery baby arugula, crisp cucumbers, and sweet cherry tomatoes—especially when they’re fresh from the garden—adds a delightful twist. To enhance the flavors even further, simply tear some fresh basil and mix everything together with a light lemon dressing. This combination truly makes for a fantastic summer salad! Enjoy! ~Nicole
Key Ingredients for Tomato and Watermelon Salad with Feta Cheese
Cherry Tomatoes add a sweet, juicy flavor. I used a variety because I have an abundance of them right now.
Watermelon adds another sweet, juicy flavor that helps balance the other savory flavors. Look for seedless watermelon that is bright red.
Baby Arugula is the base of the greens layer, and it adds a wonderful peppery flavor.
Cucumbers add a crunchy texture. I used small Persian or mini cucumbers, but you can also use an English cucumber. Since I use the small variety, there was no need to seed them.
Feta Cheese adds a tangy, creamy flavor. I prefer crumbled, but you can use block form and cut it into cubes.
Fresh Basil adds an herbal flavor that is similar to anise and cloves. I happen to have purple basil in my garden, so I add it for a little color. 😊
Equipment Needed
Tips for Making Tomato and Watermelon Salad with Feta Cheese
There really are not any particular tips to point out. Simply place the arugula, fruit, vegetable, and basil in a large bowl. Mix the lemon juice and oil in a separate bowl. Drizzle the dressing over the mixture, and gently toss. Add the crumbled feta and gently toss again.
- SERVE IMMEDIATELY!
- I do not have a measurement for salt in the recipe because the salt level in feta is different for most brands. So, season to taste.
Substitutions and Additions
- Substitute baby spinach or baby kale for the arugula.
- Substitute queso fresco or goat cheese for the feta.
- Substitute the basil with oregano, mint, or chives.
- Add honey-roasted almonds for a sweet crunch.
- Top it with leftover diced chicken (I love it this way), turkey, or even grilled shrimp. (Remember that when adding a protein that is not in the original recipe, you may need a bit more dressing.)
Serving Suggestions
This summer salad pairs well with just about any grilled meat, like Butterflied Brown Sugar Chicken, Garlic-Lime Grilled Pork Tenderloin, Grilled Marinated Flank Steak, or Grilled Chicken Kebabs with Red Peppers and Red Onion.
For a soup and salad combo, Yellow Bell Pepper and Buttermilk Soup, or Zucchini Soup with Dill and Greek Yogurt.
No and yes. No, because the juice from the tomatoes, cucumbers, and watermelon will cause the arugula to slightly wilt. The cucumbers will also not be as crunchy. That said, if there are any leftovers and you are the only one eating it, it is still edible and tasty.😉
If the potluck is the same day, I suggest packing all of the arugula, fruit, veggies, feta, and dressing separately, then tossing the salad once you arrive to keep it crisp.
Another cucumber variety that would work well is the English cucumber. Since it is larger and has seeds, I recommend removing the seeds before cutting into ½-inch moons.
Other fruit and vegetable salads you may enjoy…
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Tomato and Watermelon Salad with Feta Cheese
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 ounces (about 2 cups) lightly packed baby arugula
- 2 cups (about 9 ounces) cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 ½ cups (about 6 ounces)) seedless watermelon, cut into ½-inch dice
- 2-3 mini cucumbers, halved lengthwise and cut into ½-inch moons
- 3 ounces crumbled feta cheese
- 8 fresh basil leaves torn, (about ¼ cup)
- 1 tablespoon Extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
- kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Place the arugula, tomatoes, watermelon, cucumber, and basil in a large bowl. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil and vinegar. Drizzle the dressing over the salad. Add the crumbled feta and gently toss to combine. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
