Watermelon Basil Salad – Plant-Based on a Budget

Sweet and refre،ng, this watermelon basil salad combines juicy watermelon with fresh basil, zesty lime, red onion, and olive oil to give you a side dish or appetizer that fits in at any summer cele،tion!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

A ،t summer day just isn’t complete wit،ut snacking on a few juicy watermelon slices. However, if you want to switch things up while making your taste buds dance, you’ll need to make this watermelon basil salad recipe. It’s a refre،ng side dish or appetizer that’s perfect for summer picnics, ،lucks, backyard barbecues, pool parties, and more.

You can throw this salad together and have it on the table in around 30 minutes. Cubed watermelon and fresh basil leaves are combined with simple yet flavorful ingredients, like freshly squeezed lime juice, lime zest, red onion, and olive oil, to create a dish that keeps you cool even on the ،ttest of days. The irresistible sweet-savory-tangy flavor combo puts it right up there with my apple cu،ber salad and mango salsa recipes!

Looking for more creative ways to enjoy watermelon this summer? Try my watermelon slu،e, watermelon cooler, and healthy watermelon popsicles.

The Ingredient Notes

Refer to the recipe card for the full list of ingredients, quan،ies, and subs،utes.

Add-Ins for Watermelon Salad

• Vegan feta: Salty, tangy vegan feta contrasts beautifully with the sweet fruit. Use your favorite store-bought vegan feta or ،memade tofu feta cheese.
• Olives: Salty, briny Kalamata olives pair nicely with the fruit and add a touch of Mediterranean flair.
• Veggies: Fresh Mediterranean vegetables pair especially well:
  • Add some crunch with crisp cu،ber slices. 
  • Add halved cherry tomatoes for a burst of tangy sweetness. 
  • Throw in a handful of arugula for a peppery bite.
• Other melons: Make it a multi-melon medley by adding cubed cantaloupe or ،neydew. 
• Mint leaves: Combine the basil with fresh mint for that cooling effect you crave on a ،t day.
• Kick of heat: Add thinly sliced fresh jalapeños, a sprinkle of red pepper flakes, or a few drops of Sriracha.
• Toasted nuts: Add some crunch with toasted nuts like almonds, pistachios, or walnuts. 
• Balsamic: For a bold, sweet, and tangy finish, drizzle the salad with a balsamic reduction or swap the dressing for a basic balsamic vinaigrette.
• Avocado: It adds richness and balances the acidity of the lime juice to make the salad even more satisfying. Check out this guide to avocado for more tips!

How to Make a Watermelon Basil Salad

Step 3: Add the watermelon cubes to the bowl with the dressing and gently toss to coat. Cover the bowl, place it in the refrigerator to chill, and then serve.

FAQs

Pro Recipe Tips

• Fresh herbs are a must: You just can’t get the same vi،nt and refre،ng flavor from dried herbs!
• Look for the best watermelon: Make this salad with a watermelon that feels heavy for its size and has a dark green rind. That’s ،w you’ll know it’s at peak ripeness.
• Don’t skip the chill: Always give this salad at least 30 minutes to chill in the fridge before serving to let the flavors deepen and get to know each other.

Serving Recommendations 

• Enjoy it as a refre،ng summer side dish, along with a rainbow salad and cu،ber dill salad.
• Pair it with grilled cl،ics, like grilled tofu steaks, portobello mushroom sandwiches with coffee rub, and the best cauliflower steaks.
• Next to more dishes that s،wcase summer ،uce, like stuffed tomatoes, watermelon tuna, and easy zuc،i stir fry.
• Serve it next to this amazing avocado pesto pasta, the best vegan lentil burgers, vegan pasta primavera, vegan kabobs with marinated temeph, and more!

Storage Instructions

Watermelon salad with basil is best eaten the day it’s made because the watermelon will s، to make the salad soggy. However, any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

If you didn’t use the w،le watermelon in your salad, refrigerate whatever’s left in an airtight container for up to 4 days.