Happy hump day, folks! Who else is planning their summer menu? I’ve got the perfect recipe for barbecues, family potlucks, and all of the upcoming summer festivities! Picnic or potluck style food used to be my jam. I loved eating potato salad, cold pasta salad, deviled eggs—basically anything with mayonnaise. 😋 Though, why have mayo when you can have fresh, colorful food?! The Watermelon Spinach Salad I’ve whipped up will be the game-changing healthy side dish or main to jazz up summertime meal spreads!
Occasionally, salads make an appearance at the average summer get-together but a big pile of green leaves does not usually appeal to people. Add in a little texture and color and bam! Suddenly the dish takes on a whole new kind of appetizing. Watermelon is abundant and affordable during summer months so make sure you use a fresh and firm one for this salad. Grainy or barely-sweet watermelon is not something we want in this salad.
Refreshing watermelon, briny green olives, and the texture of the quinoa and sliced almonds make this salad so satisfying!
It works great as a side dish but it’s also easy to turn into a meal. Just add protein of choice like chickpeas (or lemon pepper tuna, if you’re like my mom) and then it’s a complete meal! To coat the salad, I used an adaptation of a lemon dressing from Cookie and Kate that I’ve been head over heels for. It’s seriously the best for drizzling on ANYTHING! It is a subtle complement to make this salad come alive. I know I’ll be making this again and again throughout the summer!
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- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- ¼ tsp garlic powder (Kate uses 2 cloves garlic, minced)
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon salt
- A pinch of red pepper flakes
- A dash of black pepper
- 5 cups packed spinach
- 1 heaping cup cooked white quinoa
- 1/2 cup sliced radishes
- 4 large green olives from a jar (I used garlic-stuffed, marinated olives)
- For serving: 3 cups cubed watermelon, 3 tbsp sliced almonds, and, optional, protein of choice—I went with 1/2 cup garbanzo beans
- First, combine ingredients for the dressing in a medium bowl. Everything from the olive oil through the black pepper.
- Then, add the spinach to the bowl and lightly massage or toss to thoroughly coat with the dressing.
- Incorporate the cooked quinoa, radishes, and green olives.
- To serve, add the watermelon and sliced almonds. Plus, optional protein, if eating the salad as a main dish.
I’m definitely going to make this amazing looking salad!!! I love fruit in mine! Thanks for the recipe!!!
Fruit in salads is the best! Thanks for your kind comment, Julie! Let me know what you think if you give it a try. 😊
Yuuuuum! This year has been all about making salads interesting again for me 😍 Now I crave one every day! I adore watermelon and have seen it in salads, but never your take on it! The tart olive addition sounds awesome!
-tiumorganlea
Yes, to inventive salads! Your roasted salads have seriously given me major inspo. As far as fresh salads go, just utilize seasonal produce and you can’t go wrong. I used to like feta with my watermelon so the briny olives compensates for that slightly salty taste. Kalamata olives would be even better!
I’ve definitely never had watermelon in a salad before, but this recipe looks amazing!! I think I’m gonna have to give it a try this summer! 🙂
@felecia_tiu
Thanks, Felecia! The watermelon makes for a super refreshing salad topping! Let me know if you give it a try. ☺️