Bright Summer Pioneer Woman Tomato Watermelon Salad Recipe

Pioneer Woman’s tomato watermelon salad erupts with summer’s most electrifying flavor combinations, transforming ordinary ingredients into a culinary masterpiece.

Crisp and succulent elements perform a delectable dance across your plate, unleashing an unexpected taste symphony.

Vibrant produce mingles with audacious seasonings, creating a colorful canvas that sings of seasonal abundance.

Watermelon’s sweet whispers blend seamlessly with tomatoes’ robust character, sparking a sensory revolution on your palate.

Cool chunks and juicy slices collide, generating a refreshing experience that feels simultaneously sophisticated and comfortingly familiar.

Bold yet nuanced flavors weave an intricate tapestry that challenges traditional salad expectations.

Savor this extraordinary dish and let your taste buds embark on a summer adventure that promises pure gastronomic bliss.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time:

Total Time: 15 minutes

Calories: 250 kcal

Servings: 5

Tomato Watermelon Salad Ingredients

• Watermelon: Select deeply colored, heavy fruits with smooth, unblemished skin for maximum sweetness.
• Tomatoes: Choose ripe, firm tomatoes with vibrant color and rich aroma for peak flavor.

• Feta Cheese: Look for authentic Greek feta with a tangy, rich profile and crumbly texture.

• Olive Oil, Sherry Vinegar: Pick high-quality extra virgin olive oil and aged sherry vinegar for robust, complex undertones.

• Kosher Salt, Black Pepper: Use freshly ground black pepper and fine kosher salt to enhance natural ingredient flavors.

Tools for Slicing Tomato and Watermelon Cleanly

• Large Mixing Bowl: Spacious vessel for tossing and combining watermelon and tomato cubes.
• Small Bowl: Perfect for whisking together zesty dressing ingredients.
• Whisk: Essential tool for blending olive oil and sherry vinegar smoothly.
• Knife: Sharp blade for precise cutting of watermelon and tomatoes into neat cubes.
• Cutting Board: Sturdy surface for safely chopping fresh ingredients.
• Measuring Spoons: Accurate tools for seasoning with salt and pepper.
• Serving Dish: Attractive plate to present your vibrant summer salad.

How to Prepare Tomato Watermelon Salad

• Harvest Summer Bounty

Snag the ripest watermelon and juiciest tomatoes from your local market or garden. Grab some tangy feta cheese and your favorite olive oil for this mouthwatering creation.

• Unleash Flavor Magic

Tumble watermelon and tomato chunks into a spacious bowl. Sprinkle a pinch of salt and let the ingredients mingle and release their sweet, savory juices for a few minutes.

• Whip Up Zesty Drizzle

Blend olive oil and a splash of sherry vinegar in a small bowl. Season with a dash of salt and pepper, whisking until the mixture becomes silky smooth and bursting with flavor.

• Create Culinary Masterpiece

Shower the salad with crumbled feta cheese. Drizzle the vibrant dressing over the top, gently tossing to coat every morsel without crushing the delicate fruits.

• Serve and Savor

Scoop the salad onto a beautiful plate. Chill briefly if you want a refreshingly cool bite. Dig in immediately and let the summer flavors dance on your palate.

Ingredient Swaps for Tomato Watermelon Salad

Play with different cheese varieties like goat cheese or ricotta for unique flavor profiles.

Sprinkle fresh mint, basil, or cilantro leaves to add bright, aromatic complexity to the salad.

Scatter toasted pine nuts or sliced almonds for unexpected textural contrast and nutty undertones.

Drizzle a touch of chili oil or sprinkle red pepper flakes for a gentle heat that complements the sweet watermelon and tangy feta.

How to Serve This Refreshing Summer Salad

• Chill and Refresh: Serve the salad slightly cool to enhance the crisp, refreshing flavors of watermelon and tomatoes.
• Garnish with Herbs: Sprinkle fresh mint or basil leaves on top to add a burst of aromatic freshness and visual appeal.
• Create a Hearty Meal: Pair the salad with grilled chicken or shrimp to transform it into a satisfying main course perfect for summer dining.
• Wine Pairing Perfection: Complement the salad with a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or a light rosé to elevate the dining experience.

Keeping the Salad Fresh Before Serving

• Meal Planning & Storage Advice
• Quick Prep Strategy: Chop ingredients right before serving to maintain crisp texture and prevent soggy vegetables. Watermelon and tomatoes release moisture rapidly, so timing matters.
• Smart Refrigeration Technique: Store salad components separately in sealed containers. Keep dressing, chopped watermelon, tomatoes, and feta in different compartments to preserve freshness for up to 2 days.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare dressing and chop ingredients separately, combining just before serving to prevent wilting. Feta and vegetables stay crunchier when mixed at the last moment.
• Leftover Transformation: Repurpose remaining salad as a fresh topping for grilled chicken, blend into quick gazpacho, or use as a vibrant salsa for tacos. Creativity keeps your meal exciting and minimizes food waste.

Vibrant Pioneer Woman Tomato Watermelon Salad Recipe

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4.5 from 13 reviews

• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Ree Drummond’s tomato watermelon salad combines sweet summer produce with tangy feta cheese and fresh herbs. Refreshing ingredients create a simple yet elegant side dish that brings Mediterranean flavors to your table.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 small seedless watermelon, cut into 1¼-inch cubes (about 1360 g / 48 oz)
• 4 to 6 large heirloom tomatoes, cut into 1¼-inch cubes (about 680 to 1020 g / 24 to 36 oz)
• 1 cup (240 g / 8 oz) feta cheese, crumbled into bite-sized pieces
• ¼ cup (60 ml / 2 fl oz) extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tbsps (30 ml / 1 fl oz) sherry vinegar
• 1 tsp (5 g) kosher salt
• Kosher salt, to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Uniformly dice ripe tomatoes and watermelon into precise cubes, ensuring consistent texture and visual appeal.
2. Marinating: Transfer cubed produce to a large mixing bowl, sprinkle kosher salt, and allow ingredients to macerate for 5-10 minutes, releasing natural juices and amplifying flavor profiles.
3. Vinaigrette Creation: Whisk extra virgin olive oil and aged sherry vinegar in a separate bowl until achieving a smooth, integrated emulsion, then season with freshly ground black pepper and additional salt to create a perfectly balanced dressing.
4. Cheese Integration: Crumble premium feta into moderate-sized fragments, then gently incorporate into the tomato-watermelon mixture without disrupting the delicate ingredients’ structure.
5. Final Assembly: Delicately drizzle prepared vinaigrette across the salad, ensuring even distribution without overwhelming the fresh components.
6. Serving: Present immediately at cool room temperature or briefly chill to maximize the salad’s refreshing essence, highlighting the vibrant summer flavors and textures.

Notes

• Timing Salt Technique: Let salted tomatoes and watermelon rest 5-10 minutes to release natural juices and intensify flavors, creating a more dynamic taste profile.
• Emulsion Whisking Tip: Vigorously blend olive oil and sherry vinegar to create a smooth, well-integrated dressing that coats ingredients evenly.
• Cheese Crumbling Strategy: Break feta into moderate pieces to complement, not overpower, the delicate watermelon and tomato textures.
• Serving Temperature Hack: Serve at cool room temperature or quickly chill to maximize the salad’s refreshing summer essence, ensuring optimal taste and texture.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer
• Method: None
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 900 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 14 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 8 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg