Spicy Watermelon Arugula Salad Recipe
A vibrant and spicy watermelon arugula salad featuring a zesty chipotle strawberry dressing, fresh strawberries, crisp cucumbers, tangy goat cheese, and crunchy pepitas. Perfect as a refreshing summer dish with a delightful balance of sweet, spicy, and savory flavors.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Chipotle Strawberry Dressing
- ½ pt strawberries (hulled)
- 1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce
- 1 tbsp adobo sauce (from canned chipotle)
- ½ cup apple cider vinegar
- 5 tbsp granulated sugar
- 4 tbsp fresh parsley (stems off)
- 1 tsp dijon mustard
- 1 tsp kosher salt (Diamond Crystal Brand)
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup olive oil
Salad Ingredients
- 4 oz arugula
- 16 oz watermelon (½ inch cubes)
- ½ pt strawberries (hulled and sliced)
- 4 oz goat cheese (crumbled)
- 2 Persian cucumbers (sliced thin)
- 1 serrano pepper (sliced thin)
- 2 oz pepitas
- 1 pinch kosher salt (Diamond Crystal brand)
Instructions
- Prepare Chipotle Strawberry Dressing: Add all vinaigrette ingredients except the olive oil into a food processor. Blend until smooth or there are only a few small chunks remaining to achieve a balanced texture.
- Incorporate Olive Oil: Keep the food processor running on low speed and slowly drizzle in the olive oil. Don’t stop blending until all the oil has been fully incorporated, creating a smooth and emulsified dressing.
- Assemble Salad Base: Start by arranging the arugula evenly on a large serving plate or bowl to form the salad base.
- Add Salad Components: Layer the cubed watermelon, sliced strawberries, crumbled goat cheese, thinly sliced Persian cucumbers, serrano pepper slices, and pepitas evenly over the arugula.
- Season and Dress Salad: Sprinkle the salad with a pinch of kosher salt to enhance the flavors. Drizzle the prepared chipotle strawberry dressing over the top just before serving to keep the salad fresh and vibrant.
- Serve Immediately: Present the salad right away to enjoy the fresh textures and the bold combination of spicy, sweet, and savory tastes.
Notes
- Use fresh, ripe strawberries and watermelon for the best flavor and sweetness.
- Adjust the amount of serrano pepper according to your spice preference.
- The dressing can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 3 days; bring to room temperature before using.
- For a nut-free version, omit pepitas or substitute with toasted sunflower seeds.
- This salad is best served fresh to maintain the crispness of the ingredients and the texture of the dressing.
Keywords: watermelon salad, arugula salad, chipotle dressing, strawberry dressing, summer salad, spicy salad, fresh salad, goat cheese salad
Find it online: https://dinewithdylan.com/spicy-watermelon-arugula-salad-recipe/
