Meet your new summer staple: the Watermelon Goat Cheese Salad. This sun-kissed dish is bursting with juicy sweetness, creamy tang, and zippy freshness in every colorful forkful. Each bite is a celebration of sunny days — a vibrant mix of chilled watermelon, tangy goat cheese, crisp red onion, and cool mint, all brought together with a simple drizzle of olive oil and decadent balsamic glaze. Whether you need an effortless picnic showstopper or just want something refreshing on a warm afternoon, this salad brings big crowd-pleasing flavor with barely any effort.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This salad shines because of just a handful of simple, high-quality ingredients — each one playing an essential role in the taste, texture, and color that makes this dish irresistible. Don’t skip any: their combination is magic!
- Watermelon (4 cups, cubed): The soul of the salad, bringing juicy sweetness and a delightfully crisp bite.
- Goat Cheese (1/2 cup, crumbled): Adds creamy, tangy richness that balances the watermelon’s natural sugar.
- Red Onion (1/4 cup, thinly sliced): Lends spicy crunch and vibrant color — slice thinly for best results.
- Fresh Mint Leaves (1/4 cup, chopped): This cool herb brings the freshest flavor and summery aroma.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil (2 tbsp): A drizzle helps marry all the flavors and gives a silky finish.
- Balsamic Glaze (1 tbsp): Rich, tangy, and a little sweet — this elevates every bite into something special.
- Sea Salt (1/4 tsp): Just enough to highlight the natural sweetness and intensity of the other ingredients.
- Freshly Ground Black Pepper (1/8 tsp): Adds a subtle peppery kick that compliments the creamy cheese and mellow fruit.
How to Make Watermelon Goat Cheese Salad
Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients
Start by making sure all your ingredients are ready. Cube the watermelon into bite-sized pieces for easy eating, and if you have the time, chill it for ultimate refreshment. Crumble your goat cheese into fluffy bits, slice the red onion as thin as possible, and roughly chop the mint leaves to release their aromatic oils.
Step 2: Build the Salad Base
In a large salad bowl, combine the cubed watermelon, crumbled goat cheese, red onion, and chopped mint. This layering sets the stage for a perfect balance of flavors in every spoonful.
Step 3: Add the Dressing
Drizzle the extra virgin olive oil and balsamic glaze right over the beautiful mound of ingredients. Don’t worry about a perfect swirl — you want some glaze to hit the cheese, some the melon, ensuring every bite sings.
Step 4: Season and Toss
Sprinkle sea salt and freshly ground black pepper over the salad. Using large salad spoons (or your clean hands!), gently toss everything together. Be careful not to smash the watermelon or cheese — a light hand ensures every ingredient keeps its texture.
Step 5: Chill and Serve
Watermelon Goat Cheese Salad can be served straight away for bright, room-temperature flavor, or pop the bowl in the fridge for 15 minutes if you’d like a slightly more refreshing, chilled experience. The choice is yours, and either way, it’s guaranteed to delight.
How to Serve Watermelon Goat Cheese Salad
Garnishes
Elevate your Watermelon Goat Cheese Salad with a touch of flair: scatter a few extra mint leaves, a fine grind of black pepper, or even a drizzle more balsamic glaze across the top. For crunch, toasted walnuts or pistachios add both color and texture, impressing both the eye and the palate.
Side Dishes
Pairing possibilities are nearly endless! Crusty artisan bread or a light bruschetta soak up those flavorful juices. It’s also a dream alongside grilled chicken, shrimp skewers, or as part of a breezy picnic spread with sparkling water and fresh berries.
Creative Ways to Present
For a showstopper at special gatherings, shape the watermelon with a melon baller, or serve individual portions in cocktail glasses topped with crumbled goat cheese and mint. Stack salad towers using a ring mold for an elegant starter, or fill endive leaves for a fun, hand-held appetizer version of your Watermelon Goat Cheese Salad.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you wind up with extra Watermelon Goat Cheese Salad, store it in an airtight container in the fridge. It will keep well for up to 2 days, though the watermelon may release some juices. Give it a quick toss before serving to redistribute the flavors.
Freezing
Unfortunately, this is not a salad that takes kindly to freezing due to the high water content in the watermelon. Freezing will alter the texture, making it less appealing, so enjoy this salad fresh for the best results.
Reheating
No need to reheat — Watermelon Goat Cheese Salad is meant to be enjoyed chilled or at room temperature. If it’s been in the fridge too long and some flavors have dulled, let it sit on the counter for 10 minutes before serving to bring it back to life.
FAQs
Can I use feta instead of goat cheese?
Absolutely! Feta is a fantastic swap if goat cheese isn’t your thing. It brings a saltier, firmer texture that pairs beautifully with sweet watermelon and mint.
Is there a way to make this salad vegan?
Definitely. Swap out the goat cheese with your favorite dairy-free cheese alternative, or sprinkle in some crumbled firm tofu tossed in a splash of lemon juice and olive oil for a similar tangy, creamy texture.
What type Salad
Any seedless, ripe watermelon will do. For ultimate convenience and less fuss, go for mini watermelons — they usually have fewer seeds and more intense sweetness. Just make sure the fruit is firm and deeply colored for best results in your Watermelon Goat Cheese Salad.
Can I prep any ingredients in advance?
Yes! Cube the watermelon and slice the onion a few hours ahead of time, storing them separately in the fridge. Chop the mint and crumble the goat cheese just before serving to preserve their freshness.
How can I make this salad more filling?
Toss in a handful of greens (like baby arugula or spinach) or add some roasted chickpeas or grains (such as quinoa) for a boost of protein and even more texture in every bite.
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving something fresh, fabulous, and bursting with summer flavor, you simply can’t go wrong with Watermelon Goat Cheese Salad. The sweet-tangy-creamy combo is pure magic, and it’s so easy that you’ll find yourself making it on repeat. Gather your ingredients, invite your friends, and share a bowl of sunshine — happy salad making!
Print
Watermelon Goat Cheese Salad Recipe
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free
Description
This Watermelon Goat Cheese Salad is a refreshing and flavorful dish that’s perfect for summer gatherings. The combination of sweet watermelon, creamy goat cheese, and fresh mint creates a delightful mix of flavors. Drizzled with balsamic glaze and olive oil, this salad is a light and satisfying option for a hot day.
Ingredients
Watermelon Salad:
- 4 cups seedless watermelon, cubed
Additional Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup crumbled goat cheese
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
- 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, chopped
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon balsamic glaze
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In a large salad bowl, combine watermelon, goat cheese, red onion, and mint.
- Drizzle Dressing: Drizzle olive oil and balsamic glaze over the salad.
- Season: Sprinkle with sea salt and black pepper.
- Toss: Gently toss everything together until well combined.
- Serve: Serve immediately or chill for 15 minutes for a cooler salad.
Notes
- For extra crunch, try adding toasted walnuts or pistachios.
- Feta can be used instead of goat cheese.
- Use a melon baller for a decorative touch.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 13g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
