Fresh & Zesty Ina Garten Watermelon Arugula Salad Recipe

Watermelon arugula salad bursts with unexpected flavor combinations that dance across your palate.

Summer’s most refreshing produce transforms into a vibrant culinary canvas with crisp greens and juicy fruit.

Each ingredient plays a delightful role in creating a symphony of tastes and textures.

Light and zesty elements combine seamlessly, challenging traditional salad expectations.

Cool and peppery notes weave through sweet and tangy undertones, promising a memorable dining experience.

Mediterranean-inspired ingredients elevate this simple dish into a sophisticated summer sensation.

Elegant yet effortless, this salad represents the perfect balance of simplicity and complexity: prepare to be amazed.

Reasons to Rave About Ina’s Watermelon Arugula Salad

• Burst of Summer Freshness: This vibrant salad captures the essence of warm, sunny days with its crisp arugula and juicy watermelon, creating a refreshing combination that instantly cools and delights your palate.
• Effortless Gourmet Elegance: Ina Garten's simple yet sophisticated recipe transforms just a few ingredients into a restaurant-worthy dish, proving that culinary magic happens with minimal effort and maximum flavor.
• Texture Sensation: The peppery crunch of arugula meets the sweet, melt-in-your-mouth watermelon, while delicate Parmesan shards add a rich, salty finish that creates an exciting contrast in every single bite.
• Quick Crowd-Pleaser: Ready in mere minutes, this salad is perfect for impromptu gatherings, summer picnics, or as a light side dish that will impress guests without keeping you stuck in the kitchen for hours.

What You’ll Need for Watermelon Arugula Salad

• Arugula: Peppery and crisp green with a bold flavor, choose bright green leaves without wilting.
• Watermelon: Sweet and juicy summer fruit, select ripe watermelon with deep red color and no soft spots.

• Olive Oil: High-quality extra virgin oil for smooth and rich flavor, choose cold-pressed version.
• Lemon Juice: Bright and tangy liquid for refreshing taste, use fresh squeezed when possible.
• Salt: Essential seasoning to enhance overall flavor, kosher or sea salt recommended.
• Black Pepper: Adds subtle heat and depth, freshly ground provides best taste.

• Parmesan Cheese: Sharp and salty cheese that adds creamy texture, select aged Parmigiano-Reggiano for authentic flavor.

Guide to Watermelon Arugula Salad by Ina

Step 1: Gather Fresh Ingredients

Collect crisp arugula, ripe watermelon, extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon, salt, pepper, and high-quality Parmesan cheese.

Step 2: Prepare Salad Base

• Tear arugula leaves into bite-sized pieces
• Cut watermelon into small cubes
• Place both ingredients in a spacious mixing bowl

Step 3: Create Zesty Dressing

• Olive oil
• Fresh lemon juice
• Pinch of salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

Step 4: Combine and Coat

Drizzle dressing over arugula and watermelon

Gently toss ingredients until evenly coated

Step 5: Plate with Elegance

Distribute salad onto six individual serving plates

Step 6: Add Parmesan Flourish

Using a sharp knife or vegetable peeler, create delicate Parmesan cheese shards

Sprinkle cheese generously over each salad portion

Step 7: Final Touch

Taste and add a tiny extra pinch of salt if desired

Serve immediately for maximum freshness and crunch

Insights to Improve Your Salad Game

• Pick Perfect Watermelon: Select a heavy, symmetrical watermelon with a creamy yellow spot where it rested on the ground, indicating peak ripeness.
• Slice with Precision: Cut watermelon into clean, uniform cubes to ensure each bite has equal texture and visual appeal.
• Chill Before Serving: Refrigerate watermelon cubes for 30 minutes prior to assembling the salad to enhance its refreshing quality.
• Balance Flavors Smartly: Combine peppery arugula with sweet watermelon and salty Parmesan to create a harmonious taste profile.
• Prepare Fresh: Assemble the salad just before serving to maintain crisp arugula leaves and prevent wilting from the dressing.

Keeping Watermelon Arugula Salad Crisp

• Crisp Container Method: Select a glass or hard plastic container with a tight-fitting lid to maintain salad freshness. Seal ingredients carefully to prevent moisture transfer and preserve the crispness of arugula leaves.
• Separation Strategy: Keep dressing separate from salad components until serving time. Store vinaigrette in a small sealed jar and refrigerate salad ingredients individually to prevent wilting and maintain optimal texture.
• Quick Consumption Technique: Consume the watermelon arugula salad within 24 hours for peak flavor and quality. Discard any leftovers that appear soggy or lose their vibrant appearance to ensure the best eating experience.

Interesting Variations for This Summer Favorite

• Summer Herb Boost: Add fresh chopped mint and basil leaves to enhance the salad's aromatic profile and complement the watermelon's sweetness.
• Grilled Protein Upgrade: Top the salad with grilled chicken or shrimp for a more substantial meal that adds protein and creates a complete dining experience.
• Nutty Crunch Edition: Sprinkle toasted pine nuts or sliced almonds over the salad to introduce a delightful textural contrast and nutty flavor that elevates the original recipe.
• Spicy Mediterranean Spin: Incorporate crumbled feta cheese and drizzle with a touch of hot pepper-infused olive oil to give the salad a zesty Mediterranean-inspired variation.

Closing Out the Watermelon Arugula Salad Talk

Summer’s refreshing symphony dances through Ina Garten’s watermelon arugula salad, blending crisp greens with sweet, juicy fruit.

Mediterranean flavors sparkle with zesty lemon and rich olive oil, creating a delightful culinary experience.

Parmesan shards add sophisticated texture and salty complexity to each delicate bite.

Elegant simplicity defines this quick recipe, perfect for warm gatherings and light lunches.

Garten’s masterful combination celebrates seasonal ingredients with minimal effort and maximum pleasure.

Salt and pepper elevate this dish from ordinary to extraordinary – a true celebration of fresh, simple cuisine that speaks directly to sensory delight.

Prepare this salad, share its magic, comment below, and let Mediterranean charm inspire your next meal!

Ina Garten Watermelon Arugula Salad Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.9 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Ina Garten’s watermelon arugula salad brings Mediterranean charm to summer dining with crisp arugula, sweet watermelon cubes, and tangy feta cheese. Simple ingredients create a refreshing dish that cools and delights you on warm afternoons.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 2 pounds seedless watermelon, ¾-inch-diced (907 grams / 3 pounds with the rind)
• ½ pound (227 grams) baby arugula leaves
• ½-pound (227 grams) chunk Parmesan cheese

Liquid and Oil:

• ¹⁄³ cup (79 ml) good olive oil
• ¼ cup (59 ml) freshly squeezed lemon juice (2 lemons)

Seasonings:

• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Gently layer crisp arugula leaves and vibrant watermelon cubes in a spacious mixing vessel.
2. Create a zesty vinaigrette by whisking extra virgin olive oil (60 milliliters or 2 fluid ounces), freshly squeezed lemon juice, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper in a compact preparation bowl.
3. Drizzle the dressing gradually over the salad, ensuring each leaf and watermelon piece is delicately coated without becoming saturated.
4. Thoroughly combine the salad ingredients, allowing the flavors to meld and the greens to absorb the citrusy dressing.
5. Artfully distribute the dressed salad across six individual serving plates, creating an appealing presentation.
6. Using a sharp kitchen knife or elegant vegetable peeler, carefully shave aged Parmesan cheese into delicate, irregular fragments.
7. Generously scatter the Parmesan shards over each plated salad, providing a rich, savory contrast to the sweet watermelon.
8. Perform a final seasoning assessment, sprinkling additional salt if necessary to enhance the overall flavor profile.
9. Serve immediately to preserve the salad’s crisp texture and vibrant appearance.

Notes

• Prep watermelon in advance: Cut and store watermelon cubes in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 2 days before assembling the salad.
• Balance flavor intensity: Pair peppery arugula with sweet watermelon and salty Parmesan to create a complex taste profile.
• Chill ingredients separately: Keep watermelon, arugula, and cheese cold before mixing to maintain crisp texture and fresh flavor.
• Customize heat levels: Adjust chili flakes based on personal spice tolerance, adding gradually to control overall salad kick.
• Serve immediately: Enjoy the salad right after dressing to preserve the crispness of arugula and prevent wilting.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: None
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 200
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 220 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 10 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg