Ina Garten’s Garden-Fresh Watermelon & Arugula Salad Recipe Magic

Summer’s heat calls for a vibrant watermelon & arugula salad that dances with fresh, zesty flavors.

Ina Garten’s delightful creation blends sweet, juicy watermelon with peppery arugula leaves in a symphony of taste.

Crisp greens mingle with ruby-red fruit, creating a refreshing side that sparkles on any plate.

Crumbled feta cheese adds a creamy, tangy contrast that makes each bite irresistible.

The light, bright dressing brings everything together with a whisper of sophistication.

Quick to assemble and stunning to serve, this salad turns an ordinary meal into a celebration of summer’s bounty.

Grab your ingredients and get ready to impress at your next gathering.

Variations on Ina Garten Watermelon & Arugula Salad

• Swap arugula with fresh baby spinach or mixed spring greens for a different flavor profile and texture.
• Add grilled chicken, shrimp, or crumbled feta cheese to transform this light salad into a more substantial meal.
• Sprinkle toasted pine nuts or sliced almonds over the salad for an extra layer of nutty crispness and nutritional value.
• Chill salad plates beforehand to keep the watermelon cool and create an elegant, refreshing dining experience during hot days.

Serving Suggestions for Ina Garten Watermelon & Arugula Salad

• Garnish with Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle chopped mint or basil leaves over the salad for an extra burst of freshness and aromatic flavor.
• Pair with Grilled Protein: Serve alongside grilled chicken, shrimp, or fish to transform this light salad into a complete and satisfying meal.
• Add Crunch with Nuts: Scatter toasted pine nuts or sliced almonds on top to introduce a delightful textural contrast and nutty undertone.
• Customize with Cheese Options: Experiment with different cheeses like feta or goat cheese instead of Parmesan for a unique flavor profile.

Prep and Storage Tips for Ina Garten Watermelon & Arugula Salad

• Maximize Freshness: Store salad components separately in airtight containers to maintain crisp textures and prevent wilting.
• Refrigerate Wisely: Keep watermelon chunks and washed arugula in separate sealed containers for up to 3 days before combining.
• Quick Prep Strategy: Chop watermelon and wash arugula in advance, allowing for speedy assembly when hunger strikes.
• Dressing Tip: Mix vinaigrette separately and refrigerate for up to a week, ensuring a zesty flavor boost whenever you're ready to enjoy the salad.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 150 kcal

Servings: 6

What Goes Into Ina Garten Watermelon & Arugula Salad

• Arugula: Peppery green that adds a zesty kick and crisp texture to the salad.
• Watermelon: Sweet, juicy summer fruit that provides a refreshing contrast to the peppery arugula.

• Olive Oil: Smooth, rich base that helps blend flavors and create a silky dressing.
• Lemon Juice: Bright citrus that adds tangy freshness and helps balance the sweetness of watermelon.
• Salt: Enhances and elevates the natural flavors of all ingredients.
• Black Pepper: Adds a subtle warmth and depth to the overall taste profile.

• Parmesan Cheese: Sharp, salty cheese that provides a luxurious umami note and creamy texture to the salad.

Tools List for Ina Garten Watermelon & Arugula Salad

• Large Bowl: Spacious container for mixing salad ingredients.
• Small Bowl: Perfect for whisking together dressing components.
• Whisk: Essential for blending olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper smoothly.
• Cheese Grater or Vegetable Peeler: Needed to create delicate Parmesan shavings.
• Sharp Knife: Helps in cutting watermelon into clean, precise pieces.
• Cutting Board: Sturdy surface for preparing ingredients safely.

Easy Steps to Ina Garten Watermelon & Arugula Salad

• Fresh Greens Foundation

Scatter crisp arugula leaves across a spacious serving plate, creating a vibrant green canvas for the salad. The peppery greens will provide a robust base that contrasts beautifully with the sweet watermelon.

• Juicy Watermelon Chunks

Slice ripe, ruby-red watermelon into bite-sized cubes, allowing them to cascade gracefully over the arugula. The cool, refreshing fruit will add a burst of summer sweetness to the dish.

• Zesty Flavor Boost

Whisk together a light vinaigrette using tangy lemon juice and smooth olive oil. The bright, citrusy dressing will tie the ingredients together, elevating the salad’s overall flavor profile.

• Elegant Finishing Touch

Delicately shave Parmesan cheese over the top of the salad, letting thin, delicate slivers drift onto the greens. A final sprinkle of sea salt will enhance the complex layers of taste, creating a restaurant-worthy presentation that’s both simple and sophisticated.

Crisp Watermelon & Arugula Salad Recipe

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4.7 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s watermelon and arugula salad blends sweet summer fruit with peppery greens. Crisp ingredients and tangy feta create delightful Mediterranean-inspired flavors you’ll want to savor again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 lbs (0.9 kg) watermelon, ¾-inch-diced
• ½ lb (0.23 kg) baby arugula leaves
• ½ lb (0.23 kg) Parmesan cheese, chunk
• ⅓ cup (79 ml) olive oil, good
• ¼ cup (59 ml) lemon juice, freshly squeezed (2 lemons)
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• ½ tsp black pepper, freshly ground

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Arrange a generous layer of peppery arugula leaves and succulent watermelon cubes across a broad mixing surface, creating a vibrant foundation for the salad.
2. Vinaigrette Creation: Whisk extra virgin olive oil, freshly squeezed lemon juice, kosher salt, and black pepper until the dressing transforms into a smooth, unified emulsion with a bright, tangy character.
3. Dressing and Tossing: Drizzle the vinaigrette over the arugula and watermelon, using a light touch to distribute the dressing evenly without overwhelming the delicate ingredients, gently folding to ensure each element is harmoniously coated.
4. Plating and Finishing: Transfer the dressed salad onto individual serving plates, garnishing each portion with elegant Parmesan cheese shavings and a subtle sprinkle of salt to accentuate the salad’s nuanced flavor profile.

Notes

• Chill Watermelon: Refrigerate watermelon for 30 minutes before cubing to enhance crispness and provide a refreshing base temperature for the salad.
• Balance Dressing Ratio: Drizzle vinaigrette sparingly to prevent soggy greens, aiming for a light, glistening coating that complements without overwhelming the delicate ingredients.
• Select Fresh Arugula: Choose bright green, crisp arugula leaves with no wilting or browning edges to ensure maximum flavor and textural integrity of the salad.
• Shave Parmesan Carefully: Use a sharp vegetable peeler to create delicate, thin Parmesan cheese shavings that will melt subtly over the cool watermelon and provide a rich, salty contrast.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 9 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 10 mg