Hey there, salad lovers! Today, let me introduce you to a refreshingly delicious and vibrant summer salad with my favorite combos of watermelon and beets. The ultimate watermelon beet salad recipe will become your new warm-weather obsession.
This salad recipe is so sweet, hydrating, and utterly divine. The first time I tried this watermelon beet salad, I was skeptical. But after one bite, I was hooked! The sweetness of the melon pairs so beautifully with the savory, slightly earthy notes from the beets.
And the texture is so good that you will get the juicy crunch from the watermelon with the tender bite of the roasted beets. What I really love about this salad is how easy it is to whip up. You barely have to lift a finger because it looks so vibrant and impressive on the plate.
But let’s remember the health factor here. Watermelon is an absolute nutritional powerhouse with vitamins and antioxidants to keep you hydrated and glowing. Beets are packed with folate, manganese, and fiber to keep your body feeling its best. So, trust me, this watermelon beet salad recipe is a must-try.
Why You’ll Love The Watermelon Beet Salad?
You’re going to love this Watermelon Beet Salad recipe for so many reasons! Let me break it down for you:
Healthy Salad Option
The watermelon beet salad recipe is a total health nut’s dream. We are talking antioxidants, fiber, and potassium galore. And since you make the dressing yourself, you can skip all those weird additives. Plus, it’s vegetarian and gluten-free, so it fits all kinds of diets.
Minimal effort, Maximum flavor
Seriously, this salad only requires 8 ingredients and 10 minutes of your time for preparation. It’s perfect for those hot summer days when you want to avoid being stuck in the kitchen.
Cooling Refreshing Salad
There’s nothing more refreshing than a chilled, juicy salad when the temperatures are soaring. Sweet watermelon, savory beets, a zingy dressing – this salad has it all! It’s like a party in your mouth with every bite.
This watermelon beet salad will become your new summer staple with its vibrant colors, refreshing flavors, and nutritional benefits. It’s easy, healthy, and downright delicious for salad perfection.
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8 Ingredients Needed to Prepare Watermelon Beet Salad
To prepare this delicious watermelon beet salad recipe, we will need some ingredients that are noted below:
- Watermelon: The key here is finding a ripe, sweet watermelon that will take this salad to the next level. Opt for a seedless one if you can to make life easier. Look for one that’s heavy for its size and has a creamy yellow spot because those signs show that it’s nice and juicy inside.
- Beet: I’m team red beet all the way for this salad. Their vibrant color just makes the dish pop. But golden beets can work, too, if that’s your preference. Either way, you are getting those awesome earthy-sweet beet flavors.
- Fresh Basil: Take the fresh herbs. Basil is my herb of choice because its sweet and savory notes pair beautifully with the other flavors. The aroma alone is enough to make your mouth water.
- Pistachios: These green nuts add the most amazing crunch factor. Opt for salted pistachios if you can find them; you may not need extra salt in the salad.
- White Balsamic Vinegar: This is my new favorite for salad dressings. White balsamic has just the right balance of tang and sweetness without being overpowering. If you can’t find it, rice or white wine vinegar is a substitute.
- Maple Syrup: A touch of maple balances out the acidity of the vinegar. You can use agave instead if you prefer.
- Lemon Juice: The lemon juice makes the dressing vibrant by bringing that bright, zesty freshness.
- Dijon Mustard: Just a little dijon goes a long way in tying all the flavors together. It’s magic with beets and helps the dressing emulsify, too.
Note: See the recipe card for complete information on ingredient quantities.
With this blend of fresh, vibrant ingredients and the way to know how to prepare, you have a salad that’s as much a feast for the eyes as it is for your taste buds.
How to Make Watermelon Beet Salad?
After knowing and gathering the ingredients required to prepare this watermelon beet salad recipe, let’s look at the easy-to-make steps to prepare this refreshing salad recipe.
Step 1: Prepare the Beets
- Peel the beets using a vegetable peeler or a paring knife to trim off the stem and root ends of the beets.
- Once peeled, cut the beets into 1/2-inch cubes using a sharp knife or a mandoline slicer.
- Place the cubed beets in a separate bowl and set aside.
Step 2: Prepare the Watermelon
- Cut the rind (green outer skin) from the watermelon using a sharp knife.
- Once the rind is removed, cut the watermelon flesh into 1-inch cubes.
- Transfer the cubed watermelon to a separate bowl and set aside.
Step 3: Make the Vinaigrette
- Combine the white balsamic vinegar, maple syrup, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and Dijon mustard in a small bowl.
- Whisk the ingredients together until well combined and the vinaigrette has a smooth, blended texture.
Step 4: Prepare the Basil and Pistachios
- Wash the fresh basil leaves and gently pat them dry with a paper towel or a clean kitchen towel.
- Once dry, stack the basil leaves and roll them tightly.
- Using a sharp knife, roughly chop the rolled basil leaves into thin strips or smaller pieces.
- Transfer the chopped basil to a separate bowl.
- Next, remove the pistachio nuts from their shells and place them on a cutting board.
- Using a knife, coarsely chop the pistachios into smaller pieces.
Step 5: Assembling the Salad
- Combine the cubed watermelon, cubed beets, chopped basil, and pistachios in a large serving bowl.
- Gently mix the ingredients using a spoon or salad tongs to distribute them evenly.
Step 6: Pour the Watermelon Beet Salad Dressing
- Pour the prepared vinaigrette over the salad ingredients in the serving bowl.
- Using a spoon or salad tongs, gently toss the salad, ensuring all ingredients are evenly coated with the vinaigrette.
Step 7: Serving the Salad
- Once the salad is dressed, you can serve it immediately while the ingredients are at room temperature.
- If you like a chilled salad, cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving. It will allow the flavors to combine and the salad to cool.
- When ready to serve, gently toss the salad once more and transfer it to a serving platter or individual plates.
This refreshing watermelon and beet salad is now ready to be enjoyed. Savor this delightful summer dish’s vibrant colors, contrasting textures, and harmonious flavors.
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Substitutions & Variations To Enhance Flavors
Feel free to get creative and make this salad your own. With a few simple additions, you can easily enhance the flavors and customize them to your personal preferences. Some of the variation ideas are listed below:
- Make it a full meal: Transform this salad into a complete and satisfying meal by adding tri-color quinoa. Tossing in some cooked and cooled quinoa will make the salad more filling and balanced.
- Swap beets for strawberries: If you’re not a fan of the earthy flavor of beets, consider swapping them out for fresh, juicy strawberries. Simply slice or quarter the strawberries and add them to the salad bowl instead of the beets. This substitution eliminates the need for cooking by making the preparation process even quicker and easier.
- Alternative dressing: If you can’t find white balsamic vinegar or prefer a different flavor profile, you can easily create a tangy-sweet dressing by combining fresh lime juice with a drizzle of honey, maple syrup, or agave. This dressing variation adds a refreshing twist to the salad.
- Use pickled beets: Opt for pre-packaged pickled beets instead of cooking and peeling fresh beets. Drain and dice the pickled beets, and add them to the salad mix. This shortcut saves you valuable time without compromising on flavor.
- Go vegan: Omit the feta cheese, or substitute with a vegan feta alternative or homemade vegan feta for a dairy-free option.
Remember to personalize the recipes to your taste preferences and nutritional needs. Feel free to try different substitutes and adjustments to enhance the flavors.
Helpful Watermelon Beet Salad Recipe Tips
Well, with the right recipe tips, we can enhance the flavors and textures of this refreshing salad.
- Use ultra-fresh and perfectly ripe watermelon and beets for the best flavor.
- Buy pre-cooked beets from the grocery store to save time and avoid heating the kitchen.
- Meal prep is done by cooking beets ahead of time, peeling them, and storing them in the fridge until ready to use.
- Cube the beets and watermelon into small, similar-sized pieces for balanced bites.
- Avoid using pickled beets, as their vinegar flavor can overpower the salad.
- Purchase vacuum-sealed cooked beets for maximum convenience.
Pro tip: DON’T dress the salad until you’re ready to serve. The salt in the dressing might suck moisture from the watermelon and beets, resulting in a watery salad. To prevent this issue, I recommend serving dressing on the side during parties and events.
Remember, these instructions will help you get the best flavors to enjoy this salad whenever you want.
Watermelon Beet Salad Recipe With Balsamic Dressing
Equipment
- Sharp knife
- Cutting Board
- Vegetable peeler if using fresh beets
- Baking sheet and parchment paper if roasting beets
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk or fork for making the vinaigrette
Ingredients
- 1 cup watermelon cubed
- 1/2 cup beets cooked and cubed
- 1 tbsp fresh basil chopped
- 1 tbsp pistachios shelled
- 1/2 tbsp white balsamic vinegar or rice/white wine vinegar
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/4 tbsp Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Peel the beets using a vegetable peeler or a paring knife to trim off the stem and root ends of the beets.
- Once peeled, cut the beets into 1/2-inch cubes using a sharp knife or a mandoline slicer.
- Place the cubed beets in a separate bowl and set aside.
- Cut the rind (green outer skin) from the watermelon using a sharp knife.
- Once the rind is removed, cut the watermelon flesh into 1-inch cubes and transfer to a separate bowl and set aside.
- Combine and Whisk the until well combined and the vinaigrette has a smooth, blended texture.
- Wash the fresh basil leaves and gently pat them dry with a paper towel or a clean kitchen towel.
- Once dry, stack the basil leaves and roll them tightly.
- Using a sharp knife, roughly chop the rolled basil leaves into thin strips or smaller pieces to transfer in a separate bowl.
- Next, remove the pistachio nuts from their shells and chop them into smaller pieces.
- Combine the every ingredient in a large serving bowl and gently mix them.
- Pour the prepared vinaigrette over the salad ingredients in the serving bowl and gently toss the salad.
- Once the salad is dressed, serve it immediately while the ingredients are at room temperature.
Video
Notes
- Use ripe, in-season watermelon and beets for the best flavor.
- Dress the salad just before serving to keep it from becoming watery.
- If you have leftovers, keep them in an air-tight container for up to 3 days.
Disclosure: This video isn’t mine; I included it to provide a visual guide for making Watermelon Beet Salad Recipe With Balsamic Dressing. I plan to create my own tutorial video in the future when I have a larger budget.
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Storing and Serving Suggestions
Listen up; it’s time to store and serve this delightful watermelon beet salad. Firstly, I highly recommend enjoying this salad right after you have assembled and dressed it for the best flavors and textures. That being said, you can prepare the individual components ahead of time and store them separately in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Keep the cubed watermelon, beets, and dressing in airtight containers until you’re ready to assemble it. When you’re ready to rock and roll, toss it all in a bowl and add some extra flavor with basil and pistachio garnish.
As for leftovers, they will keep in the fridge for a day or two, but the watermelon might get a bit juicy. No biggie! Serve it chilled or at room temperature; it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is watermelon beet salad healthy?
Yes, it is! Watermelon is hydrating and high in vitamins A and C, while beets include fiber, folate, and antioxidants. Together, they create a nutrient-dense dish that’s low in calories but high in health benefits.
Can I use golden beets instead of red beets?
Absolutely! Golden beets have a milder flavor and do not bleed color like red beets, which is beneficial if you want to maintain your salad’s visual appeal. They go just as well with watermelon and other ingredients.
How to make watermelon beet salad more kid-friendly?
Consider adding familiar fruits like strawberries or blueberries to make it more appealing to kids. Using fun shapes for the watermelon pieces can make them more visually attractive. A touch of honey in the dressing can enhance the sweetness, making it more palatable for young taste buds.
