I first threw this Watermelon, Berry, and Beet Summer Salad together for a friend’s pool party. I wanted something fresh and flavorful to dress up a store-bought rotisserie chicken. I layered fruit, cheese, greens, and pickled beets. Everyone raved. Someone said it was “refreshingly complex.” I pretended that was my plan all along. For people who think they don’t like beets, just try this salad. It might change your mind. The beets add a tangy, salty flavor that balances the sweetness of the watermelon and blueberries.
Watermelon, Berry, and Beet Summer Salad
Serves 1–2 entree-sized salads
Ingredients:
- 1 bag of mild lettuce or baby greens
- 1 ½ cups of watermelon, cut into ½” cubes
- 1 small container (pint) of fresh blueberries
- 1 cup pickled beets, cut into ½” cubes
- 1 ½ cups of shredded rotisserie chicken
- 4–5 ounces of smoked Gouda, crumbled
- ½ cup pistachios, chopped
- 1 small lime
- ½ cup balsamic vinegar (I love to get mine locally from The Ancient Olive)
- 1–2 ounces fresh mint, divided
- Pinch of salt and pepper
Assembly:
The only tip that I have for this salad, and all salads in general, is to layer your ingredients. That way, when you dig into the bowl to serve it, everything is already well incorporated.
- Wash and dry lettuce.
- Layer watermelon, blueberries, beets, chicken, cheese, and nuts in a large bowl.
- For the dressing, muddle 4–5 mint leaves with the balsamic vinegar, the juice of half a small lime, and a pinch of salt and pepper, to taste. This salad is pretty juicy with all the fruit, so a little goes a long way with the dressing. Be careful: too much and it will make your whole dish soggy.
- Drizzle dressing over the salad before serving.
- Garnish with hand-torn fresh mint. Serves 4–5 people as a side salad.
Submitted by Sarah (Orlando, Florida)
Why We Love It
This salad is fresh, colorful, and easy to throw together—plus it looks way fancier than it is (and it pairs perfectly with the summery Citrus Sunshine Margarita). It’s a perfect reminder that good food doesn’t need to be complicated, especially when you’re using what’s in season. We’re all about supporting local markets and growers, and this salad is a great excuse to stock up on juicy produce and even try something new (yes, even beets!).
Make it local: Hit up your neighborhood market for watermelon, blueberries, and mint leaves. You get bonus points if you can snag some local balsamic vinegar or smoked cheese.
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