This Easy Watermelon Basil Salad will be your go-to side dish for all of your summer BBQ's and parties! It's sweet, juicy, tangy and a little spicy.
This quick summer salad is so fresh and it's easy to throw together. Watermelon, cucumber, blueberries, blackberries, jalapeno, basil and feta in a honey lime dressing.
These flavors just scream summer! This easy recipe is perfect for Fourth of July celebrations, birthday parties, Mother's Day, Father's Day and Labor Day.
There's something so refreshing about eating watermelon on a hot summer day. The sweet taste, juices running everywhere.
You don't have to worry about getting covered in watermelon juice with this recipe though! This salad is best eaten from a bowl with a fork.
I never really ate watermelon salad growing up. As an adult I love it! You definitely need a few quick summer sides up your sleeve.
I don't always feel like cooking up a storm when it's hot so this recipe works perfectly. My Summer Fruit Salad and Easy Crack Corn Salad are great quick side dishes too!
Give this watermelon salad a try this summer and leave me a star rating and/or review at the bottom of this blog post to let me know what you think!
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Recipe Ingredients
- Watermelon - I use seedless watermelon but seeded would work fine too
- Basil - Fresh basil is a must here
- Cucumber - I like to use either mini cucumbers or English cucumbers
- Blueberries - I love the color combo of blueberry and watermelon
- Blackberries - Berries pair really well with this Easy Watermelon Basil Salad
- Jalapeno - A little fresh jalapeno for some heat! If you're not a spice fan then feel free to omit the jalapenos
- Feta - Feta cheese pairs so well with watermelon
- Lime Juice - I love lime on any fruit
- Honey - A little extra sweetness in the dressing
- Mint - Fresh mint on my fresh fruit is the best
- Kosher Salt - Salt brings out the flavor or all the ingredients
- Champagne Vinegar - Champagne vinegar adds a nice flavor to the dressing
Equipment needed
- Sharp Knife - Use a sharp chef's knife to cut your ingredients. Keeping your knives sharp is super important!
- Cutting Board - Using a cutting board you like! I prefer a large plastic board with grips or a large wooden Boos Block.
- Mixing Bowls - Grab a large mixing bowl for the fruit and a small bowl for the dressing. If you want to make your dressing in the large bowl first then add the other ingredients, that works too.
- Whisk - Use a whisk when making the dressing for the watermelon basil salad.
Tips for Easy Watermelon Basil Salad
- You can pre-chop all the ingredients a day or two ahead of time so it's ready to mix when needed!
- Make the dressing up to 5 days ahead of time.
- Dress the salad about 30 minutes ahead of time. That way the dressing has a little time to soak in.
- Once the salad is dressed, it keeps for about 24-48 hours. Anything after that will be soggy.
- If you're not a fan of spicy things you can omit the jalapeno.
- Fresh herbs work best in this salad! Dried basil or mint won't have the same flavor.
- Try using different shape cutters (or a melon baller) for the watermelon to make it fun!
- To chiffonade the basil and mint - Remove leaves from the stems, stack them on top of each other then roll them up like a cigar. Hold the roll together with one hand and begin finely slicing with the other. This will leave you with thin sliced herbs.
Storing Easy Watermelon Basil Salad
Once you mix your Easy Watermelon Basil Salad together it will keep in the fridge in an airtight container for 24-48 hours. After that it starts to become soggy.
If you keep the ingredients separate from the dressing then you can store them in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Once they're mixed together, the same rule as above applies.
Do not attempt to freeze or store this watermelon basil salad at room temperature.
How to make Easy Watermelon Basil Salad
This Watermelon Basil Salad comes together so quickly and is easy to make. Whisk the dressing ingredients together an set aside.
Mix all remaining ingredients together in a large bowl. Toss with dressing to coat. Store in the fridge until ready to serve.
Serve this Easy Watermelon Basil Salad chilled after 30 minutes of being dressed. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge.
I hope this watermelon salad recipe becomes one of your new go-to summer sides!
Please leave me a rating and or review!
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Main dishes Easy Watermelon Basil Salad goes well with
- Chipotle Carne Asada Recipe
- Best Buffalo Cauliflower Tacos
- Air Fryer Ribeye Steak
- Asian Air Fryer Salmon
- Falafel Pita
- The Ultimate Pork Burger
- Shrimp Tacos with Avocado Relish and Chipotle Mayo
FAQ
What is watermelon salad made of?
Watermelon salad is made up of different fruits, veggies, herbs, sometimes cheese and a dressing. This watermelon salad has cucumber, blueberries, blackberries, basil, jalapeno, feta cheese, mint and a honey lime dressing.
Add a little salt and it's ready to go!
What goes well with watermelon?
Many different fruits, veggies, herbs and cheeses go well with watermelon. Here are a few from each list:
Fruits
- Blueberries
- Blackberries
- Strawberries
- Cherries
- Grapefruit
- Mango
- Pineapple
- Limes
- Kiwi
Veggies
- Avocado
- Cucumber
- Jalapeno
- Serrano
- Jicama
- Spinach
- Corn
Cheeses
- Feta
- Blue Cheese
- Goat Cheese
- Parmesan
- Brie
Herbs
- Basil
- Mint
- Cilantro
- Parsley
How long does it take to make Watermelon Basil Salad?
This Easy Watermelon Basil Salad is super quick to make! This recipe can be made in 15 minutes! Another quick salad to try is Arugula Pear Salad!
It's a perfect quick side dish to throw together for dinner at your place or a last minute party dish.
How long does Easy Watermelon Basil Salad stay good for?
Easy Watermelon Basil Salad stays good for 24-48 hours after being dressed. Keep it in an airtight container in the fridge.
If you keep it longer than that the ingredients start to become soggy and the quality starts to diminish.
Can I eat watermelon seeds?
Yes, actually you can! Some fruits have seeds that contain cyanide and can be toxic but that is not the case for watermelon seeds.
Watermelon seeds actually pack nutrients and are safe for you to consume. Does that mean you want to?
That part is up to you but at least you know that it poses no risk.
Easy Watermelon Basil Salad
Equipment
- 1 sharp knife
- 1 whisk
Ingredients
Dressing
- ¼ cup lime juice fresh squeezed
- 2 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon champagne vinegar
- 1½ tsp kosher salt
Watermelon Basil Salad
- 4 cups watermelon cubed or balled
- 1 pint blueberries
- 12 oz cucumbers thin circles
- 1 cup blackberries
- 8 oz feta cubed
- 1 fresh jalapeno fine dice
- ¾ oz fresh basil chiffonade
- ½ cup fresh mint chiffonade
Instructions
Making the Dressing
- Whisk all dressing ingredients together in a small bowl then set aside
Making the Salad
- Add all ingredients to a large bowl, pour dressing over the top and toss well to coat
- Refrigerate until needed. 30 minutes to overnight. Serve chilled
Notes
- You can pre-chop all the ingredients a day or two ahead of time so it's ready to mix when needed!
- Make the dressing up to 5 days ahead of time.
- Dress the salad about 30 minutes ahead of time. That way the dressing has a little time to soak in.
- Once the salad is dressed, it keeps for about 24-48 hours. Anything after that will be soggy.
- If you're not a fan of spicy things you can omit the jalapeno.
- Fresh herbs work best in this salad! Dried basil or mint won't have the same flavor.
- Try using different shape cutters (or a melon baller) for the watermelon to make it fun!
- To chiffonade the basil and mint - Remove leaves from the stems, stack them on top of each other then roll them up like a cigar. Hold the roll together with one hand and begin finely slicing with the other. This will leave you with thin sliced herbs.
Leave a star rating and review, ask a question or share a helpful tip!