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Meet your new go-to summer salad! My Watermelon Basil Salad is so light and refreshing. Complete with a balsamic glaze, it’s perfect for summer cookouts, backyard parties, or holiday celebrations! Ready in 10 minutes.
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Basil Watermelon Salad
I was skeptical about watermelon in a salad, at first. But, I’d had strawberry salad before and loved it, so why not give it a chance? Well, let me tell you, I am so glad I did.
Watermelon salad is so effortlessly refreshing and tasty. It’s perfect for pairing with BBQ, and just what you need on a hot day. And, my favorite part: it only takes 10 minutes to make!
If you’re in need of a quick and easy summer treat, make my watermelon salad recipe. I know you’ll love it as much as my family does!
Watermelon Salad with Basil Ingredients
- watermelon
- red onion
- cherry tomatoes
- mozzarella cheese
- fresh basil leaves
- balsamic glaze
- salt and pepper to taste
Watermelon Salad Recipe
- Dice watermelon into 1-inch cubes.
- Halve cherry tomatoes.
- Cut red onions into slices, then cut those slices in half to create thin strips. Or, use a mandolin to slice it into very thin slices.
- Chop up basil and shred mozzarella by hand.
- Rest watermelon on a platter. Top with red onion and cherry tomatoes. Then, top with mozzarella and basil.
- Sprinkle the salad with balsamic glaze, and serve.
Tomato Watermelon Salad Variations
This salad is so flexible, here are some of the items I love to add when I want to switch it up. Have fun!
- fresh mint leaves
- fresh lime juice
- lemon juice
- fresh blueberries
- fresh herbs
- extra virgin olive oil
How to Choose Watermelons
- Pick it up. Fresh, flavorful watermelons should feel heavy when you lift them.
- Look for a yellow spot. The yellow spot develops when it is on the ground and the watermelon becomes ripe.
- Give it a good tap. A ripe watermelon has a deep sound when it is given a thump.
How to Cut Watermelon into Cubes
- Using a sharp knife, cut a thin slice off of one side of the watermelon so it doesn’t roll while you’re cutting it.
- Place the watermelon on a cutting board with the sliced side down.
- Cut the watermelon in half lengthwise.
- Cut each half in half again, so the watermelon is now in quarters.
- Carefully cut the rind off of each quarter. Keep your hand away from the knife, as the watermelon tends to get slippery! Remember to always carefully cut away from yourself and never towards for safety purposes.
- Chop the watermelon into 1 inch cubes.
Tomato Watermelon Salad Tips
- Use ripe watermelon! Ripe watermelon makes the salad nice and sweet and cuts out the acidity from the onion and balsamic glaze. If unripe, the salad will be bitter.
- I opted to use mozzarella, but feta cheese would also be a good option. I used a ball of fresh mozzarella, then tore it apart to add.
- Balsamic glaze is easy to find in most supermarkets and is well worth a purchase! Unlike balsamic vinegar, the glaze has a slight sweetness to it and is nice and is thick, making it perfect for dressing.
- The onion needs to be very, very finely sliced! You do not want big chunks of red onion in your watermelon salad recipe; trust me.
Summer Salad Recipes
Love this watermelon salad recipe? I would love to hear all about it! Let me know with a comment and a rating below. And, try my Watermelon Pizza next!
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Watermelon Basil Salad
Ingredients
- 14 oz watermelon cut into cubes
- ½ red onion sliced very finely
- 8 oz cherry tomatoes halved
- 7 oz mozzarella cheese roughly torn
- ½ cup basil roughly chopped
- 4 Tablespoons balsamic glaze
See our Cooking Conversions Chart for help converting measurements!
Instructions
- Lay diced watermelon on a platter, and top with red onion and halved cherry tomatoes.
- Top with the mozzarella and fresh basil.
- Drizzle over the balsamic glaze and serve.
Notes
- The most important tip is to use ripe watermelon!
- You can substitute feta cheese for the mozzarella. It is a delicious option.Â
- Tear the mozzarella cheese instead of slicing it. It add a great texture to the salad.
- Balsamic glaze is easy to find in most supermarkets and is well worth a purchase! Unlike balsamic vinegar, the glaze has a slight sweetness to it and is nice and thick making it perfect for dressing.
- The onion needs to be very, very finely sliced! It will blend in nicely with the rest of the salad.Â
How to Cut Watermelon into Cubes
- Cut a thin slice off of one side of the watermelon so it doesn’t roll while you’re cutting it. Use a sharp knife.
- Place the watermelon on a cutting board with the sliced side down.Â
- Cut the watermelon in half lengthwise.Â
- Cut each half in half again, so the watermelon is now in quarters.Â
- Carefully cut the rind off of each quarter. Keep your hand away from the knife as the watermelon tends to get slippery! Remember to always carefully cut away from yourself and never towards for safety purposes.
- Chop the watermelon into 1 inch cubes.Â
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