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Watermelon and Blue Cheese Salad

Looking for a refreshing salad to enjoy this summer? Watermelon salads are a colorful addition to any cookout and are a nice change from a typical fruit salad. In this salad chunks of watermelon are mixed with red onion slices, blue cheese crumbles, baby arugula leaves, and spicy pecans. The salad is drizzled with a light champagne dressing.

Watermelon and Blue Cheese Salad with Spicy Pecans

 

The saltiness of the blue cheese goes so well with watermelon. Feta or goat cheese would also work well. I love to pair spicy and sweet so I’ve added some pecans that have been toasted in the oven with cayenne pepper, chili  powder, and a little Worcestershire sauce.

Watermelon and Blue Cheese Salad with Spicy Pecans

 

Watermelon is so juicy I don’t add much dressing. Just a touch of a simple Champagne Vinaigrette to brighten up the flavors. You can serve this salad on watermelon wedges for a pretty presentation or just set the whole salad out in a serving bowl.

Watermelon and Blue Cheese Salad with Spicy Pecans

Of course this salad will only be as good as your watermelon. I’ve read every tip I can find about picking out a good watermelon and I still find myself praying to the watermelon gods before I make a selection. It’s so hit or miss and there’s nothing worse than a mealy or underripe watermelon. Sometimes I leave it up to the produce guy or farm stand attendee to pick one out for me. But half of them don’t seem to like to pick one out either and the paranoid side of me worries they’re just giving me one they really want to get rid of.

Watermelon and Blue Cheese Salad with Spicy Pecans

Best tips I’ve found for picking out a watermelon:

  • Pick one that feels heavy for its size.
  • Pick a watermelon that is dull-looking. A shiny surface can be a sign of an unripe watermelon.
  • Examine the spot where the watermelon was in contact with the ground, called the “field spot”. First of all, it should have one. Secondly it is better if it is darker in color and not white.
  • Knock on the surface of the watermelon. It should feel hard and firm and you don’t want to hear a low, dull thud. A higher pitched sound is better.

How do you go about picking out a watermelon?

Watermelon and Blue Cheese Salad with Spicy Pecans

Watermelon and Blue Cheese Salad with Spicy Pecans

Watermelon and Blue Cheese Salad

A cool and refreshing watermelon salad with red onion, blue cheese crumbles, baby arugula, and spicy pecans.
PREP: 15 minutes
COOK: 15 minutes
TOTAL: 30 minutes
SERVINGS: 4

Ingredients

  • 4 watermelon wedges
  • 4 cups diced watermelon
  • 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
  • 2 cups baby arugula
  • 1/3 cup blue cheese crumbles

Spicy Pecans

  • 1 cup pecan halves
  • 1 tablespoon butter, melted
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Vinaigrette

  • 1 tablespoon Champagne vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil or vegetable oil
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  • Make the spicy pecans. Heat oven to 325 degrees. In a small bowl, mix together pecans, melted butter, Worcestershire sauce, 1/2 teaspoon salt, chili powder, 1/8 teaspoon black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Pour onto a baking sheet and place in oven for 10 minutes. Stir and continue to bake 5 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool.
  • In a medium bowl, combine diced watermelon, red onion, arugula, and blue cheese crumbles.
  • Sprinkle pecans on top.
  • In a small bowl whisk together vinegar, oil, salt and pepper. Drizzle on salad.
  • If desired, portion salad onto watermelon wedges to serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 429kcal
Author: Christin Mahrlig
Course: Salad
Cuisine: American

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15 thoughts on “Watermelon and Blue Cheese Salad”

  1. I had a similar salad at a restaurant and went searching for a recipe to make at home. This was even better than what I had at the restaurant. Absolutely delicious! Simple to make and a beautiful presentation.

  2. Sarah@WholeandHeavenlyOven

    Seriously, as if watermelon could GET any better on it’s own, this salad is mind-blowing amazing! Love love all the blue cheese and pecans on top and your photos are stunning as usual! I will definitely be using some of those watermelon tips as well! Pinned. 🙂

    1. Christin
      Christin Mahrlig

      Thank you Sarah! I think I’ve become a little watermelon obsessed latley 🙂

  3. Cindy @ Pick Fresh Foods

    I was seriously just asking my family if they would like to try a watermelon and blue cheese salad. Then I come over to see what you are up to and find this wonderful recipe. Yum! Love the pecans 😀

  4. Consuelo - Honey & Figs

    I’d never thought of mixing watermelon and blue cheese, but it does sound like an amazing combo indeed! What a lovely salad 🙂

  5. Helen @ Scrummy Lane

    Mmmm … did you say champagne?
    This sounds both refreshing and super tasty. Those pecans sound really interesting and I’m a blue cheese fan, so I’m definitely on board with this one. 🙂

  6. Yay for watermelon salads! This sounds amazing … I love those spicy pecans!

    And thanks for sharing those tips – I usually just grab one and hope for the best haha

  7. Kristi @ Inspiration Kitchen

    Great watermelon picking tips! I didn’t know most of these! 🙂 And a gorgeous salad too!

  8. Shashi @ runninsrilankan

    I sometimes eat my watermelon with salt – but I prefer this salad with salty blue cheese. What a great idea! And such refreshing photos!

  9. Aimee / WallflowerGirl.co.uk

    Mmmm! I can just imagine the strong contrasting flavours and textures. So mouthwatering…

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