(Note: this post was originally published on June 30, 2019. It has since been updated with new photos and a few tweaks.)
I'm excited to introduce you to one of my favorite seasonal dishes. This colorful salad celebrates all things summer with sweet juicy watermelon, crisp sugar snap peas, and fresh mint.
During the summer, I find I'm always throwing together salads like this that are versatile and quick to prepare. When everyone is out on the deck, the last place I want to be is stuck in the kitchen. This simple watermelon mint salad can be pulled together in just a few minutes, especially if you do some prep in advance.
This is a salad that I never make the same way twice because it's easy adjust based on how you're serving it. Accordingly, you'll find lots of ideas for customization below, as well as a diversity of photos showing different versions. With all the options I present here, I hope you'll enjoy this watermelon salad again and again all summer long.
This salad is infinitely flexible, which is one of the reasons I find myself making it so frequently during the summer. I consider the watermelon, snap peas, mint, and mustard dressing to be the core elements; after that, switch up the other ingredients as much or as little as you desire.
In terms of other veggies, anything refreshing and juicy is right at home in this salad. I often add cucumber slices, and especially baby cucumbers because they're so pretty. I also sometimes add summer berries (see the photo directly below for a version with cucumbers and pink champagne currants from my mom's garden). Want to make it heartier? Toss in a couple cups of cooked farro and it can even work as a light summer dinner.
Although many recipes pair watermelon and feta, this salad is a different, a bit lighter, and plant-based. The seductive mustard white balsamic vinaigrette adds just the right amount of savory decadence to this vegan watermelon salad, so the feta isn't really necessary. Although that said, you can of course add feta (or vegan feta, or cubes of raw marinated tofu) if you desire. I also sometimes add avocado, which provides that same richness.
As you can see from the diversity of photos throughout this post, there are a lot of ways to present this watermelon mint salad. I usually just put it on a big platter, garnished with some pistachios and a few extra mint leaves. I sometimes cut the watermelon into cute shapes using mini cookie cutters, as shown in some of the photos here. I've also been known to stuff it inside a hollowed out whole watermelon (see the photo below, from a friend's baby shower), which is totally fun for a special event.
This salad also packs great for a picnic. Because all of the ingredients are pretty robust, it's definitely a salad that travels well. As an added benefit, this vegan watermelon salad isn't as perishable as its dairy-filled cousin, so it's fine to sit out or travel for a couple hours.
This salad is a great make-ahead option, which is another reason we love it. If you'll be eating in a couple hours, you can make the entire thing and just keep it cool. If you want to prep it a day ahead of time it works great; I suggest keeping the dressing separate from the watermelon/veggies and tossing it in when you're ready to serve, since otherwise the watermelon starts to get soggy. In either case, add the mint and pistachios just before serving so they keep their freshness and crunch.
Here's what you'll need for this watermelon mint salad, as well as some thoughts, tips, and possible substitutions. If you make any substitutions, I'd love to hear about it in the comments section below.
This watermelon salad is my greatest summer love. If you've come to our house to hang out and grill on our deck, you've likely had this salad in one of its many variations. I just can't get enough of it.
Although the flavors are simple, something magical and unexpected happens when they come together. It's the perfect balance between sweet and salty, juicy and crispy, fresh and decadent. This watermelon mint salad is such a great example of how a few simple ingredients, when they're at the peak of their season, can create something really special.
It makes me so happy to hear from you and see your creations! Please leave a comment below and let me know what you think about this recipe. If you post a photo on Instagram, hashtag #TheRogueBrusselSprout and tag me (@TheRogueBrusselSprout) in the post text so that I'm sure to see it.
This light and hydrating watermelon salad is bursting with the season's best fruit, crisp sugar snap peas, fragrant mint, crunchy pistachios, and a seductive mustard and white balsamic dressing. It's a great side dish for all your summer meals and especially for a party or BBQ.
For the Dressing
For the Salad
Did you make this recipe? Did you make substitutions? How did you serve it? Any helpful tips? Please share your thoughts, since these insights are really useful to both me and to other readers.
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