Watermelon Basil Salad

Name: Watermelon Basil Salad
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: 4 cups watermelon (cubed); 2 Tbsp chopped fresh basil; 2 Tbsp chopped red onion; 1/2 lime

This Watermelon Basil Salad is a summertime favorite. Made with only four ingredients, this delicious and healthy salad can be made in 5 minutes.

Want to double down on watermelon? Check out our Watermelon Mint Mocktail.

Watermelon basil salad with a chunk of watermelon on a fork suspended above the plate.

This watermelon basil salad is gluten-free, oil-free, nut-free, soy-free, low-fat, and vegan.

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Watermelon Basil Salad
Health Benefits of Watermelon
What You Need to Make This Salad
How to Pick a Good Watermelon
How to Prepare This Watermelon Basil Salad
Suggested Pairings
Recipe FAQs
Related Recipes to Check Out
Watermelon Basil Salad

Why You'll Love This Watermelon Basil Salad

Refreshing Simplicity: The four main ingredients create a vibrant and refreshing side dish or snack that's perfect for warm days.
Quick and Easy: It only takes 5 minutes to make, making this salad incredibly convenient for a fast and tasty addition to your meal.
Versatile Pairing: This dish pairs well with our vegan chicken burgers, kale avocado salad, black eyed peas corn salad, and kale and quinoa salad.
Healthy Choice: The watermelon, onion, basil, and lime are nutrient-dense, whole plant food ingredients that are high in antioxidants and fiber.

Health Benefits of Watermelon

Nutritionally, watermelon is rich in citrulline, a compound that converts into the amino acid arginine. Arginine is a precursor to nitric oxide, shown to improve blood flow. So, not only is this watermelon basil salad yummy, it's good for heart and brain health.

What You Need to Make This Salad

Watermelon basil salad ingredients: watermelon, chopped onion, half lime, and chopped basil.

Watermelon: The star of the dish, providing sweetness, juiciness, and a refreshing base.
Red onion: Adds sharpness and a bit of crunch, providing contrast to the sweetness of watermelon.
Basil: Brings an herby, aromatic freshness that elevates the overall flavor profile.
Lime: Acts as the acid element that brightens the dish and ties all the flavors together.
Optional additions: Chopped cucumber, fresh mint, chopped avocado, and homemade vegan feta.

A full ingredient list with exact amounts can be found in the recipe card below.

How to Pick a Good Watermelon

The yumminess of this salad starts with picking a good, sweet, juicy watermelon. Whether you go with a seeded or seedless watermelon, looking for one with that yellow spot on the side is the first step. Second, knock on the watermelon and listen for that deep hollow sound.

A whole watermelon sitting on a cutting board. — Look for a watermelon with a yellow spot on the side, then knock on it and listen for that deep hollow sound.

A watermelon that's been cut in half, knife on the side. — This recipe works for both seeded and seedless watermelons

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How to Prepare This Watermelon Basil Salad

Chop the watermelon into bite-size chunks. Add chopped red onion, chopped fresh basil, and fresh lime juice. If using, add the optional ingredients (fresh mint, avocado, or cucumber). For more lime flavor, add a pinch of lime zest.

Enjoy this delicious low-fat salad side dish or as a standalone snack.

Watermelon basil salad on a plate with a lime wedge on the side.

Suggested Pairings

We like to pair this watermelon salad with veggie burgers, and nutritionally, with a dish with leafy green vegetables to boost the heart health benefits.

As a summer side dish, this watermelon basil salad pairs wonderfully with the Vegan Chicken Burger, Black Bean Sliders, and Chickpea Burger.

Nutritionally, the Kale and Avocado Salad, Asian Salad in a Jar, Kale and Quinoa Salad, and Rainbow Salad are all excellent pairings for this watermelon basil salad.

You could also enjoy this salad as a side with soup, like the White Bean Kale Soup, North African Chickpea Soup, and Veggie Chili. All of these soups are high in dark leafy green vegetables as well. These savory and spicy dishes are a yummy complement to the sweetness of this salad.

If you're really in love with all things watermelon and want to double down on it, check out our refreshing Watermelon Mint Mocktail.

Recipe FAQs

How do I store leftovers?

Store leftovers in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to four days. Freezing is not recommended.

What goes in a watermelon salad?

A classic watermelon salad typically includes a mix of sweet, savory, and fresh ingredients that balance each other in flavor and texture. You could also add a salty element like our homemade vegan feta.

Can you mix cucumber and watermelon?

Yes, you can absolutely mix cucumber and watermelon, and it’s a delicious combination! Both are refreshing and hydrating. Watermelon is sweet and juicy, while cucumber is cool, crisp, and subtly earthy. Together, they create a clean, refreshing combo. Also, there's a nice texture contrast where watermelon is softer and cucumber adds a firm, crisp crunch.

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