Description
This refreshing Watermelon Spinach Salad combines sweet juicy watermelon with nutritious spinach, tangy feta cheese, and a zesty lime dressing. Ready in just 15 minutes, it’s the perfect light dish for hot summer days that’s both visually stunning and packed with flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 cups fresh spinach, washed and dried thoroughly
- 4 cups watermelon cubes (about 1-inch pieces)
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/3 cup thinly sliced red onion
- 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, torn or roughly chopped
- 1/3 cup toasted walnuts or pecans (optional)
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lime juice, honey, and Dijon mustard. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Set aside.
- Prepare the Watermelon: Cut your watermelon into 1-inch cubes, removing seeds if necessary. For extra refreshment, chill the cut watermelon beforehand.
- Toast the Nuts (Optional): If using nuts, toast them in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes until fragrant and lightly browned. Stir frequently to prevent burning and let cool completely.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large salad bowl, arrange the fresh spinach as the base layer. Add the watermelon cubes, distributing them evenly throughout. Sprinkle the red onion slices, crumbled feta cheese, and fresh mint over the top. Add the toasted nuts if using.
- Dress and Serve: Drizzle the prepared dressing over the salad just before serving. Gently toss all ingredients to ensure even coating with the dressing. Serve immediately for the freshest texture and flavor.
Notes
Pro Tips:
- Choose a watermelon that feels heavy for its size and has a yellow spot where it sat on the ground for best ripeness.
- Pat the watermelon cubes with paper towels to remove excess moisture before adding to the salad.
- For meal prep, prepare all components separately and assemble just before serving.
- Try basil or cilantro as alternatives to mint for different flavor profiles.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute avocado for the feta cheese.
- Prep Time: 15
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 215
- Sugar: 14
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
Keywords: watermelon spinach salad, summer salad, watermelon salad, spinach feta salad, easy summer recipe, refreshing salad, no-cook recipe