Watermelon Feta Salad with Candied Bacon and Citrus Mint Vinaigrette
This refreshing salad combines mixed greens, juicy watermelon, candied bacon, and feta cheese, topped with a tangy citrus mint vinaigrette for a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and bright flavors.
Servings
2
Prep Time
15 minutes
Cook Time
20 minutes
Total Time
35 minutes
Ingredients
For the Salad
4 cups mixed greens
3 cups watermelon, cut into cubes
6 slices bacon
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
For the Citrus Mint Vinaigrette
1/4 cup fresh orange juice
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons fresh mint leaves, finely chopped
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Make Candied Bacon
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Place bacon on a parchment- or foil-lined sheet, sprinkle with brown sugar, and bake 15–20 minutes until crisp and caramelized. Let cool, then chop into bite-sized pieces.
Mix Vinaigrette
Whisk orange juice, lime juice, honey, and Dijon. Slowly whisk in olive oil until emulsified. Stir in mint, then season with salt and pepper.
Assemble Salad
Divide greens between two bowls. Top with watermelon, candied bacon, and feta. Drizzle with vinaigrette just before serving.
Place the bacon slices on the prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle the brown sugar evenly over each slice of bacon.
Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy and caramelized. Remove from the oven and let cool.
Once cooled, chop the candied bacon into bite-sized pieces.
In a small bowl or a jar with a lid, combine the orange juice, lime juice, honey, and Dijon mustard. Gradually whisk in the olive oil until the vinaigrette is well combined and emulsified. Stir in the finely chopped mint leaves. Season with salt and pepper to taste.