Watermelon Basil Salad. Sweet watermelon with fresh basil, red onion, topped with a sweet balsamic glaze! An easy recipe ready in 15 minutes!Â
A refreshing salad that is a sure crowd pleaser especially during the summer months! A perfect side dish made with simple ingredients.
Watermelon is hands down one of my favorite summer fruit! This is a great way to enjoy this fruit making it the perfect summer salad. The sweetness of the watermelon complimented by the sweet and tangy balsamic reduction yields the most amazing flavors! It's truly the perfect balance in taste.Â
Easy Summer Salad Recipe
If you love watermelon and you're looking for a watermelon salad recipe that will work as a perfect summer side dish, this is it! This juicy watermelon salad is a fun way to enjoy this fruit on a hot day. Especially when you don't have the energy cook for an extended amount of time. (I'll admit even I don't have energy to cook on those hot summer days!) The best part is it's a very easy salad recipe using minimal ingredients.
There are different variations of this summer fruit salad, but my version is simple, delicious and fail proof. It's also vegan, but you can add salty feta cheese or goat cheese if you wish. The saltiness of the feta or goat cheese is a great way to add protein and to give it a creamy taste!
Ingredients
You’ll need the below ingredients for my watermelon salad. Please scroll down to below recipe card for exact measurements.
- Seedless Watermelon:Â I like using a mini seedless watermelon or a whole watermelon, cut enough to yield 4 cups worth.
- Make sure to choose a ripe watermelon for the most delicious salad. To choose a good watermelon, look for a large orange or dark yellow "field" spot and ones with a large web on the skin. Both signs usually mean that the watermelon is sweeter because it's been on the vine for longer.
- The best season to source fresh watermelon is May and September. The last thing you want is to have watermelon that has gone bad or isn't sweet!
- Optional: you may use pre-cut watermelon but ensure the fruit is vibrant red and smells sweet.Â
- Tip: make sure it's also a cold watermelon. This makes a huge difference!
- Fresh basil leaves: or feel free to substitute with fresh mint leaves. Either will work. I prefer basil.
- Red onion: The red onion gives this watermelon basil salad recipe a nice zing! I wouldn't substitute with white onion or green onion. If you can't find red onion, omit completely.
Dressing:
- Lime Juice: The lime really takes this fresh fruit salad to the next level by giving it a tropical fresh flavors! Make sure it's fresh lime juice and not the pre-squeezed kind. You may use lemon juice as a last resort.
- Extra-virgin olive oil: to help emulsify our dressing. If you don't have EVOO, feel free to substitute with a neutral oil like avocado oil, sunflower oil, grapeseed oil, peanut oil, vegetable oil or canola oil. Avoid coconut oil or sesame oil.
​Balsamic Vinaigrette:
- Balsamic vinegar: the key ingredient to making our balsamic dressing. Most grocery stores will carry this ingredient.
- Sugar: white sugar, cane sugar or even brown sugar will work. I prefer using white granulated sugar for this.
How to Make Watermelon Basil Salad
- Slice seedless watermelon into half. Using a melon baller, scoop melon into balls. If you don’t own a melon baller, scoop with a large spoon or remove the watermelon skin with a sharp knife and dice melon into cubes. Place into a large bowl.Â
- Add chopped basil and sliced red onion to your large mixing bowl.
- In a small bowl, combine extra virgin olive oil, lime juice, and whisk well. Pour over the watermelon, basil and red onion and gently mix. Transfer to a large salad bowl.
- In a small saucepan on medium heat, whisk together balsamic vinegar and sugar. Reduce until it is thick like a syrup. Drizzle balsamic reduction on top of the salad. Serve immediately and enjoy! Note: It is best to consume salad within the same day.
Storage
​This salad is best consumed same day. However, it will last up to 2 days stored in the fridge in an airtight container.
FAQ
​How do I choose a sweet melon?
To choose a good watermelon, look for a large orange or dark yellow "field" spot and ones with a large web on the skin. Both signs usually mean that the watermelon is sweeter because it's been on the vine for longer. It should also smell sweet. The best season to source fresh watermelon is May and September. The watermelon must be sweet for this to be enjoyed. If you've tried watermelon that isn't sweet, you'll know how it can be a sad game changer.
​I don't have fresh herbs; can I use dried ones?
You may but dried basil doesn't have the same fresh taste as fresh basil. To make a great salad, I'd strongly recommend fresh basil or substitute with fresh mint leaves.
May I add other ingredients to this watermelon basil salad?
​Yes! Feel free to add these suggested ingredients:
- pine nuts
- crisp cucumber: Persian cucumbers work super well for this because they're very crisp.
- fresh blueberries
- creamy feta
- parmesan cheese
- goat cheese
- black pepper
Other recipes to check out!
If you enjoyed watermelon basil salad, check out my other salad-like recipes!
- Korean Cucumber Salad
- Spicy Asian Cucumber Salad
- Korean Potato Salad
- Din Tai Fung Cucumber Salad
- Korean Bean Sprout Salad
- Korean Spinach Side Dish
- Asian Salad with Sesame Lemon Dressing
- Mandarin Avocado Salad with Lemon Onion Dressing
Easy 15-min. Watermelon Basil Salad
Ingredients
- 4 cups watermelon seedless and chilled
- ¼ cup fresh basil chopped
- ¼ cup red onion sliced
Dressing
- 2 tablespoon lime juice freshly squeezed (not the pre-squeezed kind)
- 2 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
Balsamic Vinaigrette
- â…“ cup balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon white granulated sugar
Instructions
- Slice cold seedless watermelon into half. Using a melon baller, scoop melon into balls. If you don’t own a melon baller, scoop with a large spoon or remove the watermelon skin with a sharp knife and dice melon into cubes. Place into a large salad bowl.
- Add chopped basil and sliced red onion to your large bowl.
- In a small bowl, combine extra virgin olive oil, lime juice, and whisk well. Pour over the watermelon, basil and red onion and gently mix.
- In a small saucepan on medium heat, whisk together balsamic vinegar and sugar. Reduce until it is thick like a syrup. Drizzle balsamic reduction on top of the salad. Serve immediately and enjoy! Note: It is best to consume salad within the same day.
Alex
I just love the different textures in this delicious salad. It is beautiful and colourful - a real showstopper!
Katherine | Love In My Oven
We pretty much always have watermelon around during the summer, so this salad would be easy for me to whip up! What a perfect side dish! So refreshing, Christie 🙂
Sherri
This is absolutely perfect for summer! Love the idea of the watermelon and red onion together! And the best part is how easy it is to make! 🙂
christieathome
Thanks Sherri! Yes so good! It's incredibly hydrating and delicious!
Rosemary
OMG watermelon and basil?! Okay I literally have sooo much basil growing in the garden... it is fate that I make this!!
Leanne
This is just the perfect summer salad! It would be great on the side with our grilled burgers this evening!
Heidi | The Frugal Girls
This is such a fabulously refreshing dinner salad recipe... and I simply adore your homemade dressing!!