A refreshing summer salad, this Watermelon, Feta and Couscous Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette is packed with sweet summer watermelon, peppery arugula and salty feta cheese that makes for one delicious salad!
Hey guys! How was everyone’s weekend?
Are y’all gearing up for the 4th of July?
I’m sure for most of us, the upcoming holiday weekend will be filled with a bit of overindulging. So today, I’m sharing an incredibly refreshing summer salad that will keep us on the better side of healthy and still tickle our taste buds!
I made this Watermelon, Feta and Couscous Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette this past weekend for a family gathering and it was a total hit. I wasn’t sure I was going to share the recipe this week, but a few friends from the party said it was a MUST before the 4th, so they could make it for their holiday parties!
If you would have told me a few years back I would even try this combination, there’s a good chance I would have laughed in your face. But I’ve come a long way in the salad department over the years. Surprisingly, this one was love at first bite. The variety of textures and flavors totally knocked my socks off.
The combination of sweet juicy watermelon, peppery arugula and salty feta cheese all tossed in a citrus vinaigrette makes for a salad that’s sure to be a summer favorite.
And what’s better than a summer dish that’s low on effort, high on flavor, healthy and comes together in just about 20 minutes? Enjoy!
A Few Cook’s Notes for Watermelon, Feta and Couscous Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette Recipe:
I have made this salad with cubed watermelon or watermelon cut into balls with my melon baller.
You can substitute orzo pasta for the pearl couscous, if desired.
To make the salad even heartier, you can also add roughly chopped English cucumber.
Watermelon, Feta and Couscous Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette
Print Recipe Pin RecipeIngredients
Citrus Vinaigrette
- 1/4 cup orange juice
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 Tbsp. honey
- 1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp. kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp. freshly ground pepper
- 3/4 cup olive oil
Salad
- 1 cup pearl couscous, cooked according to package directions and cooled
- 3 cups seeded watermelon, cut into cubes or into balls with a melon baller
- 4 cups baby arugula, firmly packed
- 1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 4 oz. crumbled feta cheese
Instructions
Citrus Vinagrette
- In a medium bowl, stir together orange and lemon juices, honey, Dijon mustard, salt and pepper. Whisk in olive oil. Set aside.
Salad
- In a large bowl, combine cooked and cooled couscous with a few tablespoons on the dressing. Gently toss in watermelon, arugula, red onion and feta cheese. Add more of the dressing and toss until mixture is fully coated, saving any extra dressing for serving. Season with salt and pepper.
Nice Recipe, MaryAnn!
Thanks Martina! Such a fefreshing summer salad!
Indeed!
The colours are just divine! What a beautiful dish! :)
Thanks Alex! It’s a summer favorite!
Beyond hungry, of course, do you know what your posts make me feel? Happy!i will try it soon :)
Yay! Thanks so much for following along here at the BHK! This salad is a summer WINNER!
This looks delicious! I love the salty-sweet watermelon and feta combo! I’ll be trying this soon for sure!
It’s such a fantastic combo Kelsie! So perfect for summer!
I am always looking for new and different ways to enjoy watermelon, so I’m loving this one! A perfect Summer salad :)
You’d really love this Jennifer! My friends totally enjoyed it!
A salad this delicious that comes together in 20 minutes? Yes please! There’s not one thing that I don’t love about it! It’s Canada Day here today so a long weekend and this would be such a delicious side to have with bbq (though I could make a meal out of this beauty alone). Hope you have a fab week and 4th, my friend! Pinned :)
Happy Canada Day Dawn! This salad is perfect for all your summer parties!
Salads don’t have to be boring and you recipe proves that. It makes a perfect summer dinner with a piece of protein like lamb.
Perfect with some protein on the side Gerlinde! I’m not one for a boring salad, I think you know that from following along here at the BHK! Hope you have an awesome week and a fabulous 4th!
tangy, salty, sweet salads like this are my favorite, Mary Ann! This one will be on our table soon!!
Yay! You’ll love it Marissa!
What a refreshing salad!! I love how much more of a meal it is with the couscous. Love the texture of Israeli couscous in fact I love all the texture in this salad!
Totally refreshing Joanne! I love this one!
I love this unique combination of salad ingredients, Mary Ann! Bravo! It’s beautiful too, definitely a winner!
Thanks so much Chris! This is such a great summer salad!
I love the idea of these ingredients together, Mary Ann! What a perfect summer salad! On my must-make list!
It’s a delicious, summery combination Laura!
I’ve been seeing pearl couscous more and more so I definitely need to pick myself up a bag. Watermelon and feta is the PERFECT combination! What a refreshing salad!
It’s so tasty Katherine! Years ago I would have never even thought of trying this combo because I was a little timid when it came to salads, but now this happens to be one of my favorites!
i like Nigella’s version of this one too. so refreshing and tangy. cheers sherry
I’ll need to check out her version! Thanks for sharing Sherry!
Mary Ann, this recipe screams Summer!! I love couscous so much – it’s my favorite grain and I love the idea of it paired with the crunchy juicy watermelon and the tangy feta! Perfect combo!
I made it for a family gathering last weekend and the entire bowl went! Everyone loved it. I hope you give it a try Haylie!
Wow, this looks good. Like the type of salad that would go well at a family BBQ. Can’t wait to try!
Thanks Matt! This one is a winner!
This is a delicious combination of ingredients! I love that there’s watermelon in this salad! So fun and perfect for the 4th!
It’s so refreshing Kath! Hope you and your family have a wonedrful 4th of July!
Refreshing summer salad at its finest! Love the feta to top this off!
Thanks Kev!
I am all about fun salads these days, and when watermelon and feta get involved – it’s a party!! Happy weekend, my friend!
Me too Annie! Thanks! Hope you’re having a great holiday weekend. XO
Ah! These flavors, Mare! With that citrusy dressing – so texture too… juicy, crunchy, salty… all the things I looove! I wish I would have had this for the looong weekend! Delicious!
I made this for 3 different holiday weekend parties Traci! And each time there were no leftovers!
I love watermelon in salad, Mary Ann. This recipe has all my favorites – sweet watermelon, peppery arugula, salty feta – a trifecta of flavors. Love the citrus dressing as well. Looking forward to making this! Perfect for all the hot weather we are having.
It’s the perfect refreshing summer salad Geraldine! Hope you enjoy it!
I made this for a picnic, MaryAnn, and it was delicious. Unusual flavor combination. I’d highly recommend this. Thanks!