• Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Upbeet Kitchen

  • About
  • Contact Allison
  • Recipe Index
  • Travel
  • Running + Fitness
  • Eco Lifestyle
  • Shop
  • Plant-Based Restaurant Guide
    • Ottawa Plant-Based Restaurant Guide

Simple Watermelon, Feta, and Basil Salad with Balsamic Reduction

August 13, 2019 by Allison 3 Comments

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe
Watermelon, Feta, and Basil Salad with Balsamic Reduction: A super summer salad made with farmer's market bounty!

This Watermelon, Feta, and Basil Salad with Balsamic Reduction is summer on a platter! Cubes of juicy watermelon are drizzled with homemade balsamic reduction and topped with fresh basil and feta. Make it vegan by omitting the feta and topping it with cubed avocado or toasted walnuts instead!

BURSTING Watermelon Basil Salad with Balsamic Reduction

Here in southern Ontario, the July heat was relentless– even more so than usual. While I don’t particularly enjoy summer weather, I can usually deal with it, permitting that there are a few cooler, rainy days interspersed with the blazing sunshine.

But this July, it rained maybe once or twice. The vegetation became dry, the air became even heavier and more polluted than it normally would, and my mood and motivation suffered for it. Running took a backseat to cycling and indoor weight workouts since it wasn’t even cooling down much at night.

Thankfully, August has brought with it a shift in the temperature and much-needed precipitation. It went down to 12 degrees the other night and I couldn’t stop smiling. I can breathe again! And run without feeling like death warmed over after 10 kilometres! Ahhhhh.

And, of course, Mama Earth seems to be breathing a sigh of relief, too. The plants and animals certainly seem happier thanks to the cooler temps and rain!

And do you know what else August has brought? That heavenly late summer basil and watermelon.

Perfect, because we are going to be using a lot of both in this Watermelon, Basil, and Feta salad with Balsamic Reduction!

Making this salad could not be easier. The only thing that takes a bit of time is the balsamic reduction, which is mainly hands-off time (simply simmer the balsamic vinegar in a small saucepan until it is reduced by two thirds and remove it from the heat to cool).

Other than that, the only thing separating you from watermelon and basil-induced bliss is chopping up some watermelon, slicing some basil, and crumbling on some feta. If you are vegan or dairy-free, then by all means skip the feta and replace it with cubed avocado and/or toasted walnuts. 🙂

If you like this Watermelon, Basil, and Feta Salad with Balsamic Reduction, be sure to check out my other seasonal salads, like my White Bean Farro Pesto Salad and my Vegan BLT Salad with Creamy Green Dressing.

I hope you love this recipe as much as we do. If you make it, leave a comment to let us know how you liked it, and tag #upbeetkitchen in your photos on Instagram.

Print

Simple Watermelon, Feta, and Basil Salad with Balsamic Reduction

Watermelon, Feta, and Basil Salad with Balsamic Reduction: A super summer salad made with farmer's market bounty!

This Watermelon, Feta, and Basil Salad with Balsamic Reduction is summer on a platter! Cubes of juicy watermelon are drizzled with homemade balsamic reduction and topped with fresh basil and feta. One of the easiest salad recipes you’ll ever make!

  • Author: Allison
  • Prep Time: 5
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 3 servings 1x
  • Category: Salad, Summer
  • Cuisine: Vegetarian
Scale

Ingredients

  • 6 cups cubed watermelon
  • 1 cup basil, thinly sliced
  • 2 tbsp balsamic reduction (recipe follows)
  • 1/2 cup crumbled goat or sheep feta

Balsamic Reduction

  • 1 cup good quality balsamic vinegar

Instructions

  1. Start by making the balsamic reduction. Place the balsamic vinegar in a small saucepan and bring to a low boil over medium-high heat. Turn down heat to medium and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the vinegar has reduced to 1/3 cup and is slightly syrupy (this might take up to 20 minutes). Set aside to cool, then transfer to a glass jar or bottle and cover with the lid.
  2. Place the watermelon on a serving platter. Drizzle on 2 tbsp of balsamic reduction, the basil, and the feta.
  3. Divide evenly between 3 plates and enjoy immediately.

Notes

MAKE IT VEGAN: Omit the feta cheese. Add 1/2 cup chopped toasted walnuts or 1 cubed avocado instead.

Keywords: watermelon salad, summer salad, balsamic reduction, vegetarian salad

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @upbeet.kitchen on Instagram and hashtag it #upbeetkitchen

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
Tweet
Pin6
Share9

You might also like

Filed Under: Appetizers, Gluten-Free, Lunch, Recipes, Salads, Side Dishes, Supper, Vegetarian Tagged With: balsamic reduction, salad, watermelon

Subscribe to the mailing list

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Previous Post: « Oil-Free Brownies | Gluten-Free + Vegan Option
Next Post: Workout Wednesday »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kyle

    August 14, 2019 at 5:28 pm

    This is tasty, refreshing and easy to make. Thanks Upbeet Kitchen.

    Reply
    • Allison

      August 14, 2019 at 8:06 pm

      Thank you, Kyle!

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Simple Watermelon, Feta, and Basil Salad with Balsamic Reduction — Upbeet Kitchen | My Meals are on Wheels says:
    August 19, 2019 at 9:48 am

    […] via Simple Watermelon, Feta, and Basil Salad with Balsamic Reduction — Upbeet Kitchen […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply to Allison Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

Primary Sidebar

Get healthy recipes delivered straight to your inbox!

Meet Allison

Meet Allison
Hi there, I'm Allison! I make easy to follow, approachable, and nutritionally balanced plant-based recipes. I have a certificate in holistic nutrition and am an aspiring registered dietitian. I'm also an avid long distance runner, yogi, and tree hugger with a love of sweet potato fries and creating healthier versions of all your favourite comfort foods.
More here -->

Recent Posts

  • Pumpkin Seed Butter and Pumpkin Spice Chocolate Cups
  • Nourishing Beet, Cabbage, and Kidney Bean Borscht
  • Curried Lentil and Butternut Squash Roti
  • Creamy Chocolate Steel Cut Oatmeal
  • Simple Lentil and Rice Stuffed Squash

Let’s get social!

  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube

Instagram

With all due respect to peanut butter, pumpkin seed butter deserves some time under the spotlight! Pumpkin seed butter is an excellent source of zinc, iron, and magnesium, as well as protein (especially the amino acid L-Arginine, which enhances blood flow and can improve athletic performance). Pumpkin seed butter is the star of the show in my latest recipe, pumpkin seed butter and pumpkin spice chocolate cups! If you're looking for a healthy no-bake snack/treat, look no further than these tasty morsels. The new recipe is on the blog now- upbeetkitchen.com, or via the link in my bio! 🎃 ✨ .
.
.
#veganrecipe #veganfoodshare #vegansofig #pumpkinseeds #pumpkinseedbutter #pumpkinrecipes #feedfeedchocolate #chocolatedesserts #buzzfeast #foodgawker #foodporn #thekitchn #wholefoods #nobakedessert #yummy #delish #eeeeeats #realfood #desserteveryday #FBCigers #foodblog #foodstagram #foodandwine A truly upBEET-looking soup if I ever did see one, this nourishing beet, cabbage, and kidney bean borscht is so cozy and comforting. Did you know that beets are believed to both build and cleanse the blood in Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine, and that they may enhance athletic performance by boosting nitric oxide production, which relaxes the blood vessels and allows blood to be pumped more efficiently through the body? 
Even if you think you don't like beets, I encourage you to give them a chance in this recipe. It just might change your mind. 
The new recipe is up on the blog now: upbeetkitchen.com, or via the link in my bio. Hope you enjoy! 🤗
.
.
.
#soup #wholefoods #borscht #beets #plantbasedathletes #endurancefuel #beetsoup #upbeetkitchen #ayurveda #TCM #bloodbuilding #holisticnutrition #foodblogfeed #FBCigers #canadianblogger #foodgawker #buzzfeedfood #feedfeed #eeeeeats #yum #delicious #foodstagram #foodphotography #dailyvegan #frommykitchen #happyfood East Indian meets West Indian in this soul-satisfying vegan curried lentil and butternut squash roti. My version uses whole grain flour tortillas stuffed with spice-infused lentils and roasted butternut squash. I added a cilantro lime cashew cream for dipping, too! ☺️✨ We like them so much that we're making them for dinner again tonight. If you want to do the same, head over to upbeetkitchen.com for the brand new recipe. Enjoy! 🤗
.
.
.
#vegan #veganeats #veganfood #FBCigers #plantbased #plantpowered #foodstagram #foodblogfeed #feastingonrealfood #upbeetkitchen #wholefoods #roti #curriedlentils #cashewcream #delicious #omnomnom #whatsfordinner #mykitchen #whatsallisoncooking #homecook #foodphotography #foodporn #feedfeedvegan #wheredoyougetyourprotein Sometimes, an indulgent breakfast is just the ticket on a chilly morning. And let me tell you, I've been indulging quite often over the past few days! #winteriscoming❄️ In all honesty, though, this steel cut oatmeal is actually quite healthy. It's made with just a little bit of maple syrup or Medjool dates--your choice-- to sweeten, and natural cocoa or cacao for chocolaty flavour. I really recommend topping it with the Sassy bar from @zazubean, as well as peanut butter and fruit, however, to kick it up a notch. The new recipe is on the blog now- enjoy! 🤗 .
.
.
#vegan #veganfood #veganrecipe #veganeats #vegansofig #steelcutoats #healthyfood #healthyish #breakfast #feedfeedvegan #food52 #realfood #wholefood #nondiet #FBCigers #plantpowered #plantbased #chocolate #yum #delish #foodphotography #nutritiousanddelicious #plantbaseddiet

Trending now

vegan banana spice cake

Vegan Banana Spice Cake with Cashew Buttercream

The best, most indulgent-tasting, but also kind of healthy, vegan pumpkin spice brownie recipe. There's no oil in this recipe- just almond butter and pumpkin puree to give it moisture and gooey texture.

Vegan Almond Butter Pumpkin Spice Brownies

Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookie Shake

Vegan Double Chocolate Cherry Ice Cream Sandwiches

Vegan Double Chocolate Cookies + Ice Cream Sandwiches for Mother’s Day!

vegan chocolate cake

Vegan Chocolate Oatmeal Cake with Coconut Caramel Frosting

Vegan Dirty Chai Latte Recipe

Vegan Dirty Chai Latte with Coconut Butter

Mediterranean Broccoli and Chickpea Salad with Roasted Red Pepper and Feta

Footer

  • Privacy Policy
  • Resources
  • Recipe Index
  • About Up Beet Kitchen

Welcome to UpBeet Kitchen, a food blog that celebrates a positive and nourishing relationship with food, our bodies, and our planet. I'm Allison, and I'm so happy you're here! More →

Seasonal Favourites

Pumpkin Spice and Pumpkin Seed Butter Chocolate Cups Recipe
Beet, Cabbage, and Kidney Bean Borscht Recipe
Vegan Butternut Squash and Lentil Burritos

Subscribe to the mailing list <3

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Food Gawker Badge FBC Membership Badge

my finding vegan gallery

Copyright © 2019 Upbeet Kitchen on the Foodie Pro Theme

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.