Watermelon Basil Salad

Taking a bite of my Watermelon Basil Salad is like jumping into a glistening swimming pool on a hot summer day! Refreshing, invigorating, and thirst quenching are just a few words to describe how my Watermelon Basil Salad will dance on your taste buds.

Let’s face it. Watermelon is really an amazing, yummy tasting fruit.  Sweet, fresh, fruity, with cucumber notes. But when you mix in sweet and spicy fresh basil, crisp red onions, salty feta, peppery arugula, crunchy, buttery pine nuts and the sweet and tangy red wine and honey vinaigrette the explosion of flavor is like a pool emptying cannon ball splash!

This summer salad will easily replace all other fruit salad options especially since it takes less than 15 minutes to put together.  

But if you are looking for more options, my Peach Salad and Strawberry Poppyseed Salad are always a hit too!

Why This Recipe Works

• It is thirst quenching!
• No cooking required for this side dish.
• Less than 15 minutes of prep time.
• My Watrmelon Basil Salad satisfies those sweet and salty cravings every time!
• You can serve it in a watermelon bowl and there is minimal clean up.

How to Pick A Perfect Watermelon

• Start by selecting a watermelon that is uniform in size.  It will be the heavy and you know it will be sweet. 
• Look for an orange field spot. This is an indication that the watermelon will be sweet because it spent more time on the vine. A white field spot indicates little to no taste. If there isn’t a spot, don’t waste your time and money on that one.
• On rattlesnake watermelons, the wider the webbing, the sweeter the watermelon.
• Look for a dark dull color. This lets you know that the watermelon is ripe.  A shiny watermelon means that the watermelon is not ripe.
• Check the stem. If it is green the watermelon was not given time to ripen, it should be more of a brown color. 
• If you thump a watermelon and hear a ping, the watermelon isn’t ripe yet. If you hear a thud, the watermelon is overripe. A perfectly ripe watermelon will give you a hallow sound what you tump or tap it.
• If the outer rind is soft the watermelon is not good. Also if there are patches of discoloration the watermelon has gone bad.
• Finally press on the watermelon. A good melon will be firm. 

How to Cut A Watermelon

There are a lot of different ways to do this. Here are 2 of my go-to methods:

1. Method 1: Cut the ends off of the watermelon so you have a stable working surface. Cut off the rind. Then cut the watermelon in half. Next slice into 1 inch wide slices and then dice each slice.  
2. Method 2: Start by cutting the watermelon in half lengthwise. Then place your knife right between the rind and the redish-pink flesh and cut deeply around the entire half of the watermelon. Then cut straight lines horizontally about 1 inch apart, and then make the same cuts vertically until you have cubbed the full half of the watermelon. You can dump the watermelon cubes into a bowl to mix in all the salad ingredients, and then reuse the now empty watermelon half as your serving bowl! 

Ingredient Notes

For the ingredient measurements and entire recipe, be sure to scroll down to the bottom of the blog post where the recipe card is located.

• Watermelon: A ripe and sweet watermelon is key.  See my notes below on picking the perfect watermelon!
• Fresh basil: this sweet, slightly spicy herb pairs perfectly with watermelon. If you don’t have fresh basil, you can also substitute fresh mint.
• Red onion: The bright color and sweet and spicy flavor also add a nice crunch to the watermelon salad. 
• Feta or ricotta salata: The saltiness and creamy texture of feta mixes so well with the sweetness of the watermelon.  And if you can get your hands on ricotta salata, it’s sweet and salty
• Arugula: The peppery and spicy flavors of arugula make this a must to add to this flavorful salad.  Don’t substitute other salad greens because you will be disappointed in their lack of flavor.
• Pine nuts: Pine nuts have a mild, buttery taste, and their light crunch adds a nice surprise to this salad.
• Flaky sea salt and freshly ground black pepper: Bring out the full sweet and salty flavors of this salad with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.
• Dressing: you will need olive oil, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, and honey.

Step by Step Directions

For the full recipe instructions, scroll down to the bottom of the blog post to the recipe card.

1. Cut and cube the watermelon into 1-inch cubes.
2. Add the watermelon and remaining salad ingredients to a large bowl and gently toss to combine.
3. Whisk together the ingredients for the dressing.
4. Pour the dressing over the watermelon salad.
5. Serve right away or chill for 1 hour then serve.

Expert Tips and Variations

• Since watermelon doesn’t last long, I would suggest prepping this salad right before you serve it.  
• I love adding Tajin for a little spice which is a combination of dried chili peppers, dehydrated lime juice and sea salt.
• Another flavor packed herb to add to this salad is fresh mint.  You can either substitute the fresh mint for the fresh basil, or use equal amount of both.
• Other cheese options: ricotta salata, Cotija cheese, or Halloumi cheese for it salty flavor.
• Change up the dressing! Try a white balsamic instead of the red wine vinegar, or a if you are looking for a sweeter dressing, you can use a traditional balsamic.
• To add more fresh fruity flavors to your salad you can add fresh blueberries or fresh boysenberries or for more tropical flair use fresh mango, pineapple and papaya.
• Cucumber is another great addition to this salad and pairs so well with watermelon.

More Delicious Salad Recipes

Cheeseburger Salad

Peach Salad

Massaged Kale Blueberry Salad

Avocado Corn Salad

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