This sweet peach watermelon summer salad is served on a peppery bed of arugula and topped with creamy avocado and a balsamic vinaigrette for the ultimate summertime salad. It’s made without feta, keeping it dairy-free and vegan, while also highlighting delicious summertime ingredients.
Note: this recipe was originally published on August 30, 2021. It was republished with updated photos and helpful information on July 9, 2024.
This good looking salad was inspired by my watermelon, arugula and goat cheese salad. Although they use similar ingredients this peach watermelon salad is made without feta, keeping it completely vegan.
Peach and watermelon salad can be enjoyed as a starter or veggie side dish, and pairs well with summer squash pasta, arugula basil pesto and frozen watermelon margaritas!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- It’s full of refreshing, easy to find summer ingredients. Nothing screams summer louder than ripe peaches and juicy watermelon!
- This watermelon avocado salad is easy to make and great for when you have leftover watermelon you aren’t sure what to do with.
- The homemade maple balsamic dressing pairs beautifully with the summer fruit and fresh mint.
Ingredient Notes
- Peaches - juice, ripe summer peaches bring maximum amounts of flavor to this simple salad.
- Watermelon - I recommend using seedless watermelon, cut into bite sized pieces.
- Arugula - I HIGHLY recommend using arugula as your base of greens. You can switch it out with mixed greens if desired but I think the peppery flavor works well with the other ingredients.
- Red onion - thinly sliced. The sharp flavor contrasts nicely with the sweet summer fruit.
- Avocado - this adds a necessary creamy element to the salad without adding in feta cheese. Using avocado as the creamy ingredient keeps this recipe dairy-free and vegan.
- Sliced almonds - lightly toasted sliced almonds add a nice crunch to the salad.
- Mint - fresh mint adds a refreshing finishing touch the the salad!
Ingredients For the Dressing
- Balsamic vinaigrette - you’ll need balsamic vinegar, maple syrup, a clove of garlic, dijon mustard and extra virgin olive oil to make sweet maple balsamic dressing.
Substitutions and Variations
- Spinach - swap out arugula for spinach as the green.
- Cucumbers - add in sliced persian cucumbers for a refreshing crunch!
- Strawberries - throw in ½ cup or so of sliced strawberries for additional summer sweetness.
- Cheese - you can add cheese such as feta, goat cheese or burrata if you desire.
- Basil - fresh basil leaves would be a great addition to the salad or swap them in place of the fresh mint.
- Dressing - you can use a simple balsamic glaze for the dressing in place of a vinaigrette.
- Nut-free - omit the almonds for a nut-free version! You can add in salted sunflower seeds if you want a crunchy element.
Step By Step Instructions
Toast the almonds in a frying pan over medium heat until lightly browned.
Make the balsamic dressing. Add the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, minced garlic, maple syrup and dijon mustard to a bowl. Whisk until combined.
Assemble the salad as individual servings or on one large serving platter. Spread out the arugula as the base layer. Add the watermelon, sliced peaches and sliced avocado.
Top with sliced red onion and sliced almonds. Drizzle with balsamic dressing or serve it on the side.
Hint: cut the watermelon in bite-size pieces for easy eating! I also recommend serving this salad with a knife.
Tips and Tricks
This peach watermelon summer salad is best served immediately after assembly. The watermelon will release its juices the longer it sits which will cause the salad to become watery if it stands for a while.
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for a day or two. This salad usually becomes soggy as they sit, so I recommend repurposing leftover salads by serving them on a slice of toasted bread. Or chop up the leftover salad and serve it on bite-sized crostini crackers!
Leftover dressing can be stored in the fridge for about a week. Maple balsamic dressing pairs well with watermelon goat cheese salad or beet and butternut squash salad.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can prepare all of the ingredients ahead of time but I do not recommend assembling the salad until just before serving it. The watermelon will release juice the more it sits and cause the lettuce to become soggy, so don’t assemble the salad until you are read to eat it within 10 minutes or so.
Yes watermelon and peaches pair well together as they embody sweet summertime flavors! They go especially well with fresh herbs such as mint or basil. You can add peaches to watermelon salads, watermelon salsa or watermelon bruschetta for additional sweetness.
No, you can eat them as is right out of the bag. I like to toast them because I think it enhances their flavor by adding nuttiness with a slight char.
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Peach Watermelon Summer Salad
Ingredients
- 2 peaches sliced
- 2 cups watermelon cubed
- 4-5 cups arugula (about 5 ounces)
- ¼ cup red onion thinly sliced
- 1 avocado thinly sliced
- ¼ cup sliced almonds
For the dressing:
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 2 tablespoon dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Toast the sliced almonds in a frying pan over medium heat for 3-5 minutes until they start to brown and smell fragrant.
- Make the balsamic dressing. Add the balsamic vinegar, maple syrup, minced garlic, dijon mustard and olive oil to a bowl or jar. Whisk together or shake well in the jar until combined.
- Assemble the salad as individual servings or on one large serving dish. Spread out the arugula as the base layer. Arrange the watermelon, sliced peaches and sliced avocado on the bed of arugula.
- Top with sliced red onion, sliced toasted almonds and fresh mint.
- Drizzle with balsamic dressing (or serve it on the side) and enjoy!
Notes
- I recommend serving this salad with a knife and fork! I like to cut the arugula and peach slices into smaller pieces when eating.
- This salad is naturally vegan, but if you’re not vegan it also tastes great adding in feta cheese or goat cheese.
- Leave out the almonds to make this salad nut-free!
- Swap out the mint for some fresh basil for a slightly different flavor variation! The sweet basil compliments the flavors of the sweet summer fruit, while the mint adds a refreshing coolness to each bite. Choose your own adventure!
Kyle says
Made it a couple times now and I have to say this is so refreshing as a summer salad! Especially with some fresh peaches!
Paula P says
Outstanding. Light flavorful dressing. It’s a keeper
Emily Toshiko says
Thank you so much Paula! I love letting the flavors of the fruit shine though on this one. 🙂