Spicy Watermelon Arugula Salad Recipe
This Spicy Watermelon Arugula Salad combines fresh watermelon, peppery arugula, and a vibrant chipotle strawberry dressing for a refreshing and flavorful summer dish. The salad is topped with creamy goat cheese, crisp cucumbers, serrano peppers for heat, and crunchy pepitas for texture, making it a delightful blend 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: Gluten Free
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 removed)
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp kosher salt (Diamond Crystal Brand)
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup olive oil
Salad
- 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 the dressing ingredients except the olive oil—hulled strawberries, chipotle pepper, adobo sauce, apple cider vinegar, granulated sugar, fresh parsley, Dijon mustard, kosher salt, and black pepper—into a food processor. Blend until the mixture is smooth or has only a few small chunks remaining.
- Emulsify Dressing: With the food processor running on low speed, slowly drizzle in the olive oil to emulsify the dressing. Do not stop the blender until all of the oil is fully incorporated, creating a smooth, well-blended vinaigrette.
- Assemble Salad Base: Begin assembling the salad by spreading a base of fresh arugula onto your serving dish or bowl, creating a peppery green foundation.
- Add Salad Components: Layer the watermelon cubes, sliced strawberries, crumbled goat cheese, thinly sliced Persian cucumbers, serrano peppers, and pepitas evenly over the arugula.
- Season and Dress Salad: Sprinkle the salad with a pinch of kosher salt to enhance flavors. Drizzle the prepared chipotle strawberry dressing generously over the top of the salad.
- Serve: Toss lightly if desired, and serve the salad immediately to enjoy its fresh, vibrant flavors and contrasting textures.
Notes
- For milder heat, reduce or omit the serrano pepper.
- The dressing can be made ahead and stored refrigerated for up to 3 days.
- Use fresh, ripe watermelon and strawberries for best flavor.
- Substitute pumpkin seeds for pepitas if desired.
- Serve as a refreshing appetizer or a light side dish for summertime meals.
Keywords: Watermelon Salad, Arugula Salad, Summer Salad, Spicy Salad, Chipotle Dressing, Strawberry Dressing, Goat Cheese Salad, Refreshing Salad
