Arugula Watermelon Salad Recipe 

This quick and easy arugula watermelon salad is a must-have recipe for any household. It is healthy and it is nutritious. And this arugula watermelon salad recipe is one of my favorite summer salads because you only need six ingredients and 5 minutes to put it together! And most likely, you already have all these ingredients right in your kitchen. If you are tired of your old arugula watermelon feta salad, give this recipe a try.

This recipe is perfect for anyone looking to eat a healthy meal/side dish but has a busy schedule, serves as an appetizer to a crowd, brings to a dinner party, or just loves watermelon because this recipe is a guarantee to be a crowd-pleaser and the whole family! This refreshing watermelon arugula salad is sweet, salt, sour, and bitter and has a little peppery note. I love making this salad for myself and my family because this salad is a great way to add whole foods and raw food to everyone's diet.

Arugula Watermelon Salad

Ingredients

Directions

1. Cube the watermelon to your liking.

2. Finely chop the mint leaves.

3. Slice the halloumi cheese into small cubes or use grilled halloumi.

4. In a large bowl, add arugula, watermelon, mint leaf, and halloumi cheese. Then add EVOO and a drizzle of pomegranate molasses. Gently toss.

What You Will Need To Make This Watermelon Arugula Salad

Arugula

Arugula, also known as a rocket, is a leafy green packed with many health benefits. This cruciferous vegetable is a great source of vitamins A, C, and K, folate, and calcium. It's rich in antioxidants, which can help protect against chronic diseases like cancer and heart disease. It also contains nitrates, which can help improve blood flow and lower blood pressure. Arugula is also low in calories and high in fiber, making it a great addition to any weight loss diet. Its peppery flavor can also help stimulate digestion and reduce inflammation in the body.

To make this salad, I used rocket arugula as it is peppery arugula. Rocket offers a crisp and slightly peppery note that is perfect for a salad.

If you are looking for a bold flavor, try wild rocket, as they offer a strong flavor. If you like an even milder flavor, go with baby arugula. Baby arugula offers an even more mild flavor than the mature leaves.

If arugula is not your thing or if you don't have any on hand, you can substitute it with baby spinach.

Watermelon

This juicy fruit is delicious and packed with nutrients that offer numerous health benefits. Watermelon is an excellent source of hydration, especially on hot summer days. With a water content of over 90%, it helps keep your body hydrated and flush out toxins. Rich in antioxidants and packed with vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, potassium, and magnesium, which support immune function, heart health, and muscle and nerve function. Moreover, the juicy watermelon is low in calories and high in fiber, making it an ideal snack for weight management and digestive health.

Because watermelon is so hydrating and packed with nutrients, I love adding them to my summer salads. I used yellow watermelon to make this salad, but you can use traditional red flesh seedless watermelon. I was able to get my hand on some yellow watermelons, and they turned out to be the perfect addition. Unlike red flesh watermelon, yellow watermelon offers a sweeter and more honey-like flavor that pairs well with the other ingredients.

If you have never had yellow watermelon before, they are natural and not genetically modified. The yellow flesh is caused by a natural mutation that is rich in beta-carotene. While yellow watermelon is harder to find, you may be able to find them at your local farmers' market or specialty stores. I got mine from an online Asian grocery delivery service, check to see if they deliver to your area. 

Sweet watermelon, mint, and halloumi are a classic Mediterranean salad combo, and the combination of sweet, salty, and juicy works so well together. However, watermelon is high in sugar content, and if you want to reduce your sugar intake, swap watermelon with other fruits such as strawberries or blueberries.

Fresh Mint

To give the salad more flavor, add some fresh mint leaves. If fresh mint is not available, you can use dried mint.

Fresh mint pairs perfectly with halloumi's saltines, as it is fresh and pungent.

Halloumi Cheese

Halloumi cheese is not only a great addition to your delicious recipes, but it also offers some impressive health benefits. Made from a blend of sheep's and goat's milk, halloumi is a great source of protein, calcium, and phosphorus. The high protein content helps with muscle building and tissue repair, while the calcium and phosphorus strengthen bones and teeth. 

Halloumi is also low in carbohydrates and contains healthy fats that promote heart health. Additionally, it is rich in vitamin B12, which plays a key role in producing red blood cells and helps maintain healthy nerve function. 

Most summer salad uses feta cheese; watermelon and feta cheese go very well together. I use halloumi cheese for this salad because it has a nice texture, especially when it's grilled and salty, making it balance well with sweet watermelon and mint. If halloumi cheese is not available, you can replace them with another white cheese, such as feta or goat cheese.

If you are a vegan or looking to eliminate cheese from your diet, you can substitute it for vegan-friendly alternative cheese or marinated tofu. 

Pomegranate Molasses

If you never had pomegranate molasses before, they offer an intense sweet and sour flavor. They taste very similar to balsamic vinegar. But unlike balsamic, pomegranate molasses have much thicker textures and are richer in flavor, so a little goes a long way.

If pomegranate molasses is not available, you can use balsamic, red wine vinegar, or balsamic vinaigrette instead.

EVOO

Extra virgin olive oil is super healthy for you, especially when it is enjoyed raw. EVOO is full of monounsaturated fat, rich in vitamins, and potent antioxidants. All you need for this arugula salad is a drizzle.