This Vegan Watermelon and Basil Salad with Jalapeños is full of flavor and spice. The freshness of the Watermelon combined with the spiciness of the jalapeños and the herbal bite of the basil makes for the perfect fruit salad to bring to parties and events.
*Originally published July 1, 2021 and updated with new copy and photos 5/24/22.
Who doesn't love a fresh fruit salad at a BBQ or Summer event? I know that Summers here in the Central Valley can get hot with a capital H. Often when hanging out with friends and family at a cookout, you are eating burgers or hot dogs and you want something refreshing to go with it. Enter this Vegan Watermelon Salad and Basil Salad with Jalapeños. This spicy fruit salad has so many global elements to it that make it so refreshing. The jalapeños add the bite of heat, and the basil adds an herbal note and complements the sweetness that comes from the watermelon and berries.
From some other great BBQ side dishes, check out this Mediterranean Cucumber Salad, this Amish Broccoli Salad or this Easy Creamy Whole30 Coleslaw!
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What Makes This Watermelon Salad with Basil so Great?
- This Watermelon and Basil Salad is full of bright and fresh flavor!
- This recipe only takes about 10 minutes to make.
- The fresh watermelon, spicy jalapeños and herbal basil makes this the perfect meal on a warm day!
- This Watermelon salad is dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegan.
Ingredient Notes
- Watermelon- The base of this recipe is watermelon. Make sure to pick a ripe watermelon. For tips on how to pick the best watermelon at the grocery store, look for a melon that has a strong, consistent stripe pattern. The green stripes should be a deep, dark green, while the pale stripes should be a creamy, light yellow.
- Limes-The acid from the limes helps to boost the flavors of the jalapeños and fruit. I would advise using fresh limes and not lime juice from a bottle.
- Jalapeños- The jalapeños add a touch of heat to this recipe that really elevates it! Removing the seeds keeps this on the mild side but if you want some more heat, feel free to leave the seeds in!
- Basil- The basil adds such a great herbal element to the dish. It is important to use fresh basil in this recipe, dried basil will not be the same!
See the recipe card for the full ingredient list and quantities.
Instructions
- First, dice your watermelon, jalapeños, and strawberries and add them to a large bowl, add the blueberries.
- Zest one of your limes and set the zest aside. Next, slice both of your limes and squeeze them to get the juice out. Pour the lime juice into the bowl and sprinkle with the zest. Toss with the fresh chopped basil to combine.
Substitutions and Variations
- Extra Spicy - If you want to make this Watermelon Salad extra spicy, try adding different peppers to turn up the heat!
- Yogurt Dressing - Turn this salad into a creamy side dish by ditching the lime and tossing this in a creamy vegan yogurt dressing!
- Triple Berry- Feel free to switch this up by using a mix of raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries instead of just blueberries!
Check out another great recipe like this Easy Strawberry Peanut Butter Smoothie!
FAQ's
This watermelon salad would pair great with a vegan feta! Sprinkle some over the top of the salad before serving!
Watermelon salad is a great side dish that goes with almost any recipe. I love pairing it with this Air Fryer Beyond Burger or this White Bean Teriyaki Burger.
Watermelon goes well with a variety of fruits! I love using strawberries and blueberries in this recipe but it would be great with any type of berry!
Equipment
Equipment can have a big impact on how a recipe turns out. See below for the equipment you will need to make this recipe.
- Mixing Bowl
- Chef Knife
- Cutting Board
Storage
Store this Watermelon Salad with Basil in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The salad will get a little spicier as time goes on as the jalapeños release their juices.
I would not recommend freezing this recipe as watermelon doesn't freeze very well. Watermelon holds a lot of water so when it thaws, the texture would be off.
Top Tips
- It is important to use sharp knives to dice your fruit. If you are using dull knives, not only does it make it harder to dice but it also can present a safety hazard.
- If you want your salad spicier, feel free to leave the seeds in the jalapeños, furthermore, if you prefer more of a mild spice level you can take the seeds out.
- This salad would go great with some vegan feta sprinkled over top! Just add it right before serving to kick it up a notch!
Other Great Side Dishes!
- Ancient Grain Bowl with Roasted Vegetables
- Air Fryer Waffle Fries
- Frozen Sweet Potato Fries in the Air Fryer
- Amish Potato Salad
- Vegan Gnocchi Potato Salad
Vegan Watermelon and Basil Salad with Jalapeños
Equipment
- 1 Mixing Bowl
- 1 cutting board
- 1 chef knife
Ingredients
- 1 Medium Watermelon
- 2 Limes
- 2 Jalapeños seeds removed
- 1 cup blueberries
- 1 cup strawberries
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil
Instructions
- First, dice your watermelon, jalapeños, and strawberries and add them to a large bowl, add the blueberries.
- Zest one of your limes and set the zest aside. Next, slice both of your limes and squeeze them to get the juice out. Pour the lime juice into the bowl and sprinkle with the zest. Toss with the fresh chopped basil to combine.
Notes
- It is important to use sharp knives to dice your fruit. If you are using dull knives, not only does it make it harder to dice but it also can present a safety hazard.
- If you want your salad spicier, feel free to leave the seeds in the jalapeños, furthermore, if you prefer more of a mild spice level you can take the seeds out.
- This salad would go great with some vegan feta sprinkled over top! Just add it right before serving to kick it up a notch!
Nutrition
Food Safety
- Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
Jenny says
Thanks for your recipe
kaydimaggio says
Of course! Hope you enjoy!
Katherine says
We love watermelon at our house. Will have to try this out! Thanks for sharing
kaydimaggio says
Thank you! I hope you enjoy!
Aditi Jain says
Oh I didn't know there could be a watermelon salad! Thanks for sharing this
kaydimaggio says
Of course! I hope you enjoy!
Arti says
I look watermelons in summers. I haven’t tried making salad with it. It’s a new recipe for me. I’ll definitely try this.
kaydimaggio says
Watermelons are my favorite and so easy to make!
Rose says
Thanks for sharing your recipe. I loved the history of the ingredients too.
kaydimaggio says
Thank you 🙂
Mosaic Tiles says
This looks so so good and fresh! I love watermelons, especially in Summer...So good!
kaydimaggio says
Yes! Watermelons are my favorite!
Krysten Quiles says
You have my mouth WATERING. Perfect for the 4th of July festivities. Thanks friend, happy weekend!
kaydimaggio says
Thank you! I hope you enjoy! 🙂
aisasami says
Interesting ingredients! I never knew that Jalapeños could go so well with watermelon. I have to try that combo.
kaydimaggio says
It tastes so yummy together!
Melanie says
Yummy!! This looks like the perfect summer salad!
kaydimaggio says
It really is! I hope you enjoy!
Celebrate Woman says
Stunning is the name of this salad! Delicious flavors.
kaydimaggio says
Thank you!
Elizabeth Swoish says
This was absolutely delicious. Love the flavor balance. Yum!
kaydimaggio says
Thank you!