Spinach Watermelon Salad

This Spinach and Watermelon Salad is the BEST summer salad I have ever tried. This recipe uses fresh seedless watermelon, spinach, basil, red onion, pecans, and an insanely delicious balsamic reduction dressing. One bite of this watermelon salad and you will be thanking me all summer long!

Spinach and Watermelon Salad

Yesterday was the Fourth of July, and my oldest daughter had an afternoon picnic with her swim team. We were in charge of taking a watermelon. BUT so were eight other parents. That is a ton of watermelon, and as you can imagine we were sent back home with almost the full watermelon. I was trying to think of something to do with all of it, and then I remembered a fantastic Spinach and Watermelon Salad I had eaten last summer at a restaurant.

We had a few hours until we were going to head to our small town Fourth Of July carnival; so I decided I would make a Spinach and Watermelon Salad as a side for our dinner.

Guys, it was INSANELY delicious and mouthwatering. I am not even kidding. I have always loved watermelon, and just recently shared a Grilled Watermelon recipe with you guys, but so far to date, this Watermelon Salad is my favorite way to enjoy watermelon. So I shot a few pics and wrote down the recipe so I could share it with the world … LOL, but seriously at least a few of you, because it is so good.

The balsamic reduction dressing is so stinking good and helps to make this Spinach and Watermelon Salad taste as good as it does. You could just create the balsamic dressing without reducing the balsamic if you were in a huge hurry, but I highly recommend taking the 15 minutes to make the reduction.

Everything in this fresh summer salad pairs together perfectly. My girls even loved the red onions in this watermelon salad. My five year old always loves red onions, but my thirteen year old usually cannot stand them!

How To Make A Spinach and Watermelon Salad

The full recipe with measurements is in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

• Chop up your watermelon, basil, onions, and pecans. The watermelon should be in bite-size cubes. I used a mandoline for the red onions because I wanted them thin. I just tore the fresh basil up with my hands, but chopping is probably easier … haha. And I bought pre-chopped pecans, but if you have whole ones, you will want to chop them.
• Measure out your balsamic vinegar and pour it into your saucepan. Heat on medium until you reach a simmer, and then reduce your heat to simmer for about 15 minutes. Stir frequently and be careful not to let your sauce burn.
• While your balsamic is simmering mix all of your other ingredients together.
• When your balsamic has thickened remove from the heat and stir in your oil and salt.
• Pour over the spinach and watermelon salad and serve immediately!

My Other Summer Recipes You May Like

• Grilled Watermelon
• Triple Berry Crisp 
• Roasted Rainbow Veggies 
• Paleo Fried Chicken Legs

Not only does this spinach and watermelon salad taste amazing, but it also provides several health benefits. I always like to include a few tidbits of health benefits and nutritional information with my recipes (even the ooey gooey dessert recipes like this Paleo Banana Split).

Spinach – Spinach is considered to be one of the healthiest foods on earth, with researchers identifying more than a dozen different types of flavonoid antioxidants alone that are present in spinach, not to mention all of its other nutrients. Spinach nutrition has powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant abilities, and if you combine that with its very low amount of calories, it is easily one of the most nutrient-dense foods in existence.

Sourced From Dr. Axe

Basil – Basil contains antioxidant-rich volatile essential oils, which are considered hydrophobic. This means they don’t dissolve in water and are light and small enough to travel through the air and the pores within our skin. Basil’s volatile essential oils are what give the herb its distinct smell and taste, but they’re also responsible for the healing benefits of basil.

Side Note – Essential Oils are insanely powerful, and we use them in our family for SO MANY things! Head TO THIS POST if you want to learn more on essential oils.

Sourced From Dr. Axe

Watermelon – A low-calorie, hydrating fruit that is a natural high antioxidant food, plus a source of vitamins and minerals that can help fight inflammation, free radical damage and prevent a number of serious illnesses.

Sourced From Dr. Axe

Red Onions – Red onions are also a rich source of the flavonoid anti-oxidant quercetin and the polyphenol anti-oxidant anthocyanin.  These anti-oxidants prevent the oxidation of dietary and cellular fatty acids.  They are very powerful free radical scavengers that neutralize cancer cell growth and dramatically reduce whole body inflammation.

Sourced From Dr. Jockers

Pecans – Although many people claim that a low-fat diet is the best way to live a healthy lifestyle, the healthy fats of pecan nutrition are powerful in the production of antioxidants, reduction of inflammation and simply provide a great-tasting addition to almost any dish.

Sourced From Dr. Axe

5 from 1 vote

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Spinach and Watermelon Salad

Spinach and Watermelon Salad is literally the BEST summer salad ever. This recipe uses fresh seedless watermelon, spinach, basil, red onion, pecans, and an insanely delicious balsamic reduction dressing. One bite and you will be thanking me all summer long!

Course Salad

Cuisine Paleo, Whole30

Keyword Spinach and Watermelon Salad

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Total Time 20 minutes

Servings 6 people

Calories 174 kcal

Author Kara Woolery

Ingredients

• 4 Cups Spinach
• 1/2 Cup Fresh Basil
• 1 1/2 Cups Watermelon
• 1/4 to 1/2 Medium Red Onion This is preference and depends on the size of your onion
• 1/2 Cup Chopped Pecans
• 3/4 Cups Balsamic Vinegar Reduced
• 3 Tbsp Olive Oil
• 2 tsp Sea Salt

Instructions

1. Chop your basil (bite-size pieces), watermelon (cubed), and pecans (if you don't buy pre-chopped). Cut your red onion into thin slices (I used a mandoline to get them thin. 

2. Pour your balsamic vinegar in a saucepan and heat over medium heat until it has a light simmer. Reduce heat and simmer for about 15 minutes. Until the balsamic thickens. Stir often and make sure it doesn't burn. It will reduce down to about 1/4 of a cup. 

3. While balsamic reduces, mix your other ingredients together in a large salad bowl.

4. Remove your balsamic reduction from the stove and add your olive oil and sea salt (or pink salt) then stir. 

5. Plate your salads, add your balsamic dressing, and serve immediately! Enjoy! 

Recipe Notes

Nutrition Facts are not always 100% accurate. As it depends on the brands and varieties used. 

Nutrition Facts

Spinach and Watermelon Salad

Amount Per Serving

Calories 174 Calories from Fat 117

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 13g 20%

Saturated Fat 1g 5%

Sodium 799mg 33%

Potassium 252mg 7%

Total Carbohydrates 11g 4%

Dietary Fiber 1g 4%

Sugars 8g

Protein 2g 4%

Vitamin A 43.9%

Vitamin C 12.2%

Calcium 4.4%

Iron 6.6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.