Watermelon Salad with Herbed Yogurt Sauce Recipe

This refreshing watermelon salad paired with herbed yogurt sauce makes a perfect summertime meal. It's a delightfully harmonious blend of sweet and savory that's sure to impress at any picnic or potluck.

Photos of Watermelon Salad with Herbed Yogurt Sauce Recipe

The recipe features commonly found ingredients such as watermelon, cucumber, shallot and sherry vinegar. However, the ingredient you may be less familiar with is the Greek yogurt used in the herbed yogurt sauce. It's thicker and creamier than regular yogurt, and it's often used in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern recipes. You can usually find it in the dairy or health food section of your supermarket.

Ingredients for Watermelon Salad and Herbed Yogurt Sauce

Watermelon: A sweet, refreshing fruit that pairs well with a variety of flavors.

Cucumbers: These add a crunch to the salad and balance out the sweetness of the watermelon.

Shallot: They have a milder and sweeter taste than onions, which makes them perfect for this salad.

Sherry vinegar: Used for its unique flavor, which is both sweet and tangy.

Greek Yogurt: It's thick, creamy and has a tangy flavor.

Fresh herbs (basil and mint): They add a burst of freshness to the dish.

Olive oil: It adds a rich, fruity flavor to the dish.

One reader, Diandra Gagne says:

This watermelon salad with herbed yogurt sauce is a game-changer! The refreshing watermelon paired with the tangy yogurt sauce is a match made in heaven. The flavors are so vibrant and the herbs add a delightful freshness. It's a perfect summer dish that's both light and satisfying. Highly recommended!

Diandra Gagne

Techniques for Making Watermelon Salad with Herbed Yogurt Sauce

How to pickle shallots: Combine the sliced shallot with vinegar and salt, then refrigerate to lightly pickle.

How to make herbed yogurt sauce: In a food processor, blend yogurt, fresh herbs, olive oil, honey, and a pinch of salt until the herbs are broken into tiny pieces and the sauce is pale green.

How to assemble the watermelon salad: Swirl the yogurt sauce over a large serving platter, then scatter the cubed watermelon on top, followed by the cucumber. Arrange the pickled shallot on top and spoon the leftover vinegar over the salad. Drizzle olive oil on top, sprinkle generously with fresh herbs, and season with salt and pepper to taste.

How To Make Watermelon Salad with Herbed Yogurt Sauce

Ripe watermelon, cucumber, and pickled shallots served with herbed yogurt, this watermelon salad offers fresh and bright flavors perfect for summer.

Preparation: 30 minutes

Cooking:

Total: 30 minutes

Serves:

Ingredients

For The Watermelon Salad:

3lbswatermelonripe, seedless, about 1/2 small round watermelon or 4 cups cubed, cut into 3/4 inch cubes
2mini cucumbersor 1 small cucumber, thinly sliced into rounds
½cupshallotthinly sliced, 1 medium-to-large
3tbspsherry vinegaror red wine vinegar
¼tspfine sea salt
2tbspextra-virgin olive oil
fresh mint and basil leavessmall handful, torn if large, for garnish
Flaky sea saltor kosher salt, to taste
black pepperfreshly ground, to taste

For The Herbed Yogurt Sauce:

1cupGreek yogurt
⅓cupcombination of fresh basil and fresh mint leaveslightly packed
1tbspextra-virgin olive oil
1tsphoneyor maple syrup
pinch of fine sea salt

Instructions

In a small bowl, combine the sliced shallot with the vinegar and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Toss to combine, and place in the refrigerator to lightly pickle while you prepare the rest of the salad.
In a food processor, combine the yogurt, fresh herbs, olive oil, honey, and a pinch of salt.
Blend until the herbs are broken into tiny pieces and the sauce is pale green.
Swirl the yogurt sauce over the base of a large serving platter.
Scatter the cubed watermelon on top, followed by the cucumber.
Arrange the pickled shallot on top, and spoon the leftover vinegar over the salad.
Drizzle 2 tablespoons olive oil on top, sprinkle generously with fresh herbs, and season with salt and pepper, to taste.

Recipe Notes

If you won’t be serving the salad immediately, place it in the refrigerator to stay chilled. This salad is best served within an hour or two.

Nutrition

Calories: 190.83kcal
Fat: 9.72g
Saturated Fat: 2.58g
Monounsaturated Fat: 5.02g
Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.85g
Carbohydrates: 23.57g
Fiber: 1.75g
Sugar: 18.12g
Protein: 5.55g
Cholesterol: 6.38mg
Sodium: 773.35mg
Calcium: 65.02mg
Potassium: 356.19mg
Iron: 0.97mg
Vitamin A: 68.73µg
Vitamin C: 20.45mg

Key Technique for Perfecting the Herbed Yogurt Sauce

When preparing the watermelon for the salad, make sure to remove all the seeds. This will ensure a smoother texture and better integration of flavors. Additionally, when pickling the shallots, allow them to sit in the vinegar and salt mixture for at least 30 minutes. This will help to soften their texture and mellow their flavor, making them a perfect complement to the sweet watermelon and creamy yogurt sauce.

Time-Saving Tips for This Recipe

Prep ahead: Chop and pickle the shallots and prepare the herbed yogurt sauce a day in advance to save time on the day of serving.

Use pre-cut watermelon: Save time by purchasing pre-cut watermelon to skip the step of cutting and cubing the watermelon.

Multi-task: While the shallots are pickling, you can prepare the herbed yogurt sauce to maximize efficiency in the kitchen.

Invest in a good knife: A sharp, quality knife will make the prep work quicker and more efficient.

Organize your ingredients: Before you start cooking, make sure all your ingredients are organized and easily accessible to streamline the cooking process.

Substitute Ingredients For Watermelon Salad with Herbed Yogurt Sauce Recipe

watermelon - Substitute with cantaloupe: Cantaloupe has a similar texture and sweetness to watermelon, making it a great substitute for this salad.
mini cucumbers - Substitute with English cucumbers: English cucumbers are seedless and have a mild flavor, making them a suitable replacement for mini cucumbers in this salad.
sherry vinegar - Substitute with red wine vinegar: Red wine vinegar can provide a similar tangy and slightly sweet flavor to the salad dressing.
shallot - Substitute with red onion: Red onion can be used as a substitute for shallots, providing a slightly stronger flavor to the salad.
Greek yogurt - Substitute with plain yogurt: Plain yogurt can be used as a substitute for Greek yogurt in the herbed yogurt sauce, although it may have a slightly different consistency.
fresh basil and fresh mint leaves - Substitute with cilantro and parsley: Cilantro and parsley can provide a similar herby flavor to the yogurt sauce, adding a fresh and aromatic element to the dish.

How to Beautifully Present This Watermelon Salad

Elevate the watermelon: Cut the watermelon into elegant cubes or use a melon baller to create visually appealing shapes. This will add sophistication to the dish and showcase your attention to detail.
Artful arrangement of cucumbers: Slice the mini cucumbers thinly and arrange them in a visually pleasing pattern around the watermelon. This will add a touch of finesse to the presentation.
Garnish with fresh herbs: Sprinkle fresh mint and basil leaves delicately over the salad. The vibrant green colors will contrast beautifully with the red of the watermelon, adding a pop of freshness to the dish.
Drizzle the herbed yogurt sauce with precision: Use a squeeze bottle or a small spoon to drizzle the herbed yogurt sauce in a decorative manner over the salad. This will add a professional touch to the plating.
Use a large, elegant serving platter: Present the watermelon salad on a large, white platter to create a sense of grandeur. The clean backdrop will allow the vibrant colors of the salad to stand out.
Attention to detail with pickled shallots: Arrange the pickled shallots meticulously on top of the salad, ensuring they are evenly distributed. This will demonstrate your dedication to precision in plating.
Sprinkle with flaky sea salt and black pepper: Add a final touch of seasoning with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. This will not only enhance the flavors but also add a visually appealing element to the dish.

Essential Tools for Making Herbed Yogurt Sauce

Food processor: A food processor is a versatile kitchen appliance that can be used for chopping, slicing, shredding, and pureeing ingredients. It's great for making the herbed yogurt sauce in this recipe.
Mixing bowl: A mixing bowl is essential for combining ingredients and tossing the pickled shallots with vinegar and salt.
Large serving platter: A large serving platter is used to beautifully present the watermelon salad with herbed yogurt sauce.
Knife: A sharp knife is needed for cutting the watermelon, cucumbers, and herbs with precision.
Measuring cups and spoons: These are necessary for accurately measuring the sherry vinegar, olive oil, and other ingredients in the recipe.
Whisk: A whisk is used to blend the herbed yogurt sauce ingredients together until smooth and well combined.
Spatula: A spatula is handy for swirling the yogurt sauce over the serving platter and for arranging the salad ingredients.
Small bowl: A small bowl is used for pickling the shallots with vinegar and salt before adding them to the salad.

Interesting Fact About Watermelon Salad

Watermelon is a hydrating fruit, consisting of about 92% water. It is also a good source of vitamins A and C, as well as antioxidants. The combination of watermelon and cucumber in this salad makes it a refreshing and nutritious dish, perfect for hot summer days. The herbed yogurt sauce adds a creamy and flavorful element to the salad, enhancing its overall taste and texture.

Is Making Watermelon Salad at Home Cost-Effective?

This watermelon salad with herbed yogurt sauce recipe is quite cost-effective for a household. The main ingredients, watermelon and cucumbers, are generally affordable and readily available. The addition of herbs and yogurt adds a touch of elegance without significantly increasing the cost. The approximate cost for a household of 4 people would be around $10-$15, making it a budget-friendly option. In terms of taste and presentation, this recipe earns a solid 8 out of 10. The refreshing flavors and vibrant colors make it a delightful addition to any meal.

Is This Salad Recipe Healthy?

This watermelon salad with herbed yogurt sauce is a refreshing and nutritious dish that offers several health benefits. The watermelon is a great source of hydration and contains essential vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin C, vitamin A, and potassium. The cucumbers add a nice crunch and are low in calories, while the Greek yogurt provides a good amount of protein and probiotics, which are beneficial for gut health. The fresh herbs, like mint and basil, not only add flavor but also have anti-inflammatory properties. The use of extra-virgin olive oil provides healthy monounsaturated fats, which are good for heart health.

However, there are a few aspects of this recipe that could be improved to make it even healthier:

Reduce the amount of honey in the yogurt sauce to lower the added sugar content
Use a low-fat or non-fat Greek yogurt to decrease the overall fat content
Add more vegetables, such as cherry tomatoes or bell peppers, to increase the fiber and nutrient density of the salad
Consider using a vinegar with less acidity, like apple cider vinegar, to make the dressing easier on the stomach

To further enhance the nutritional value of this salad, you could also:

Sprinkle some chopped nuts or seeds, like almonds or pumpkin seeds, for added protein, healthy fats, and a nice crunch
Add some crumbled feta cheese for an extra boost of calcium and a tangy flavor
Serve the salad over a bed of leafy greens, like spinach or arugula, to increase the fiber content and add more vitamins and minerals

Editor's Take on This Refreshing Summer Salad

The watermelon salad with herbed yogurt sauce recipe is a delightful blend of refreshing flavors and textures. The combination of sweet watermelon, crisp cucumbers, and tangy pickled shallots creates a harmonious balance. The herbed yogurt sauce adds a creamy and herbaceous element that ties the dish together beautifully. The use of fresh herbs and sherry vinegar elevates the overall taste profile, making it a perfect dish for a summer gathering or a light and satisfying meal. The recipe is simple to prepare and offers a sophisticated twist on a classic watermelon salad.

Enhance Your Watermelon Salad with Herbed Yogurt Sauce Recipe with These Unique Side Dishes:

Grilled Asparagus with Lemon Zest: Tender asparagus spears grilled to perfection and topped with a zesty lemon zest for a burst of freshness.

Balsamic Glazed Chicken Skewers: Juicy chicken skewers marinated in a tangy balsamic glaze and grilled to caramelized perfection for a savory addition to your meal.

Mango Salsa with Lime and Cilantro: Fresh mango chunks mixed with zesty lime juice and fragrant cilantro for a sweet and tangy salsa that pairs perfectly with the watermelon salad.

Creamy Avocado and Corn Salad: Creamy avocado mixed with sweet corn kernels and a hint of lime for a refreshing and creamy side dish that complements the watermelon salad beautifully.

Alternative Recipes Similar to This Refreshing Watermelon Salad

Grilled Vegetable Skewers: Marinate the vegetables in a mixture of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and herbs before grilling them to perfection on skewers.

Mango Salsa with Grilled Fish: Combine diced mango, red onion, jalapeno, and cilantro for a refreshing salsa to serve over grilled fish fillets.

Creamy Tomato Basil Soup: Simmer ripe tomatoes, onions, and garlic in a pot with vegetable broth, then blend until smooth and stir in fresh basil and cream for a comforting soup.

Suggested Main Courses and Desserts to Pair with Watermelon Salad

Main Courses:

Grilled Salmon with Lemon Dill Sauce: Impress your guests with a perfectly grilled salmon fillet, topped with a tangy lemon dill sauce. The smoky char from the grill adds depth to the delicate fish, while the bright flavors of the sauce bring a refreshing zing to every bite.

Mushroom Risotto with Truffle Oil: Indulge in a creamy and luxurious mushroom risotto, drizzled with aromatic truffle oil. The earthy flavors of the mushrooms meld perfectly with the rich, savory rice, creating a dish that is both comforting and elegant.

Desserts:

Chocolate Mousse: Indulge in a rich and velvety chocolate mousse, topped with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of cocoa powder. The smooth and decadent texture will leave your taste buds craving for more.

Berry Parfait: Layered with creamy yogurt, fresh berries, and crunchy granola, this berry parfait is a delightful combination of sweet and tangy flavors. Each spoonful offers a satisfying crunch and a burst of fruity goodness.

Why trust this Watermelon Salad with Herbed Yogurt Sauce Recipe:

This recipe offers a refreshing and vibrant combination of flavors and textures, making it a perfect choice for a light and satisfying meal. The use of fresh watermelon ensures a sweet and juicy base, while the addition of cucumbers provides a crisp and refreshing element. The pickled shallots add a tangy and aromatic touch, complemented by the herbed yogurt sauce that brings a creamy and flavorful component to the dish. With the incorporation of fresh herbs and a hint of sherry vinegar, this recipe promises a delightful harmony of sweet, savory, and tangy notes, guaranteeing a delightful culinary experience.

Want to share your own twist on this Watermelon Salad with Herbed Yogurt Sauce recipe or discuss other refreshing summer salads? Head over to the Recipe Sharing section of our forum and join the conversation!

FAQ:

What is the best way to pick a ripe watermelon for this salad?

Look for a watermelon that feels heavy for its size, has a creamy yellow spot on one side (indicating it ripened in the sun), and has a hollow sound when tapped.

Can I make the herbed yogurt sauce ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the herbed yogurt sauce ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Just give it a good stir before using it in the salad.

Can I substitute the sherry vinegar with another type of vinegar?

Absolutely! You can substitute sherry vinegar with red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar for a slightly different flavor profile.

How far in advance can I prepare the watermelon salad?

It's best to prepare the watermelon salad no more than a few hours in advance to ensure the watermelon and cucumbers stay fresh and crisp.

Can I make any ingredient substitutions for this recipe?

Feel free to customize the salad with your favorite herbs, such as cilantro or dill, and add a sprinkle of feta cheese for a tangy twist.