My Easy Watermelon Salsa recipe is summer in a bowl. Watermelon is combined with red onion, jalapeño pepper and garlic before being finished with some chopped cilantro and a squeeze of fresh lime for added zing. When I make this fresh watermelon salsa for my family, the kids devour it. It is perfect as a topping on fish tacos, rice bowls or alongside chips.

EASY WATERMELON SALSA

Watermelon is a favorite fruit in my house on a hot summer day.

My kids can devour a bowl of juicy watermelon on a hot day in no time.

If I get my hands on it before the kids, I love to make this homemade watermelon salsa. It is the perfect summer salsa recipe.

This is the best watermelon salsa recipe as it only takes 10 minutes to prepare but will elevate so many dishes.

It’s one of my go-to salsa recipes as it works a treat with grilled meat and fish, so the ideal salad side for all your summer BBQ’s.

Homemade salsas are a healthier option too, as I only use fresh natural ingredients. 

It’s not loaded in excess salt, or added sugars; and you won’t find preservatives or other artificial flavorings in my healthy watermelon salsa.

This recipe yields 3-4 cups of watermelon salsa, serve it alongside any dinner main, or as an appetizer with a bowl of chips.

Watermelon salsa works really well with fish, pork and chicken and is a nice change from classic salsa.

If you aren’t a fan of watermelon you should try this pico de gallo instead. 

Serve either alongside my Easy Blackened Fish,  BBQ Baked Pork Chops, or with my Macadamia Coconut Crusted Chicken.

WHY YOU WILL LOVE THIS WATERMELON SALSA RECIPE

EASY TO PREP: This fresh salsa is so easy to prep using fresh ingredients. The bulk of your time will be dicing the watermelon along with other ingredients. You could save time by buying pre-cut watermelon. 

GREAT FOR A CROWD: When you are having a summer get together this is a great salsa to have on the table alongside chips or pita chips for dipping. It is so light, refreshing and great for those warm summer months. It is also nice alongside grilled meats like this Greek Marinated Chicken, Grilled Flank Steak, Mediterranean Beef Kabobs or Pork Souvlaki.

VERSATILE SIDE DISH: The best part of this watermelon salsa is that you can use it in so many ways. It is a nice appetizer, a nice addition to a rice bowl, great on top or fish tacos or as an addition to enchiladas. It also works great for cinco de mayo.

EASY WATERMELON SALSA INGREDIENTS

• WATERMELON: I use 4 cups of fresh watermelon for this recipe but you can use whatever amount diced watermelon you have. Just make sure that if you use more than 4 cups you add more of the other ingredients to add the flavor.
• ONION: I use a small red onion as it has a great mild flavor but you can use a sweet onion or white onions.
• PEPPER: I love spicy salsa, so a jalapeno pepper adds some mild chili heat, without it becoming too hot. You can also add Serrano peppers or habaneros. 
• FRESH HERBS: I love adding a handful of fresh cilantro to most salsa recipes. I think it adds a nice clean flavor. You can leave this out if you don’t like it. 
• GARLIC: A clove of freshly minced garlic adds depth of flavor to the salsa.
• LIME JUICE: The acidity of the fresh lime juice is a nice balance to this salsa. You can also add lime zest for even more zesty flavor. If you don’t have lime juice you could use lemon juice.
• SEASONING: Always add some salt to your pineapple salsa as it balances the flavor in the salsa. You can also add other seasoning like chili powder, cayenne pepper, crushed red pepper or Mexican oregano.

RECIPE TIPS & MODIFICATIONS

• CHILI PEPPER: I have used a jalapeño pepper but a serrano pepper would work here too.
• ONION: Red onion has a great mild flavor, shallots would be a good swap, or use white onion for a stronger onion flavor.
• FRESH HERBS: Not everyone loves the taste of cilantro. So, if you don’t like cilantro leave it out or swap it for some fresh parsley or fresh basil. Mint is another great option that pairs nicely with watermelon. You could add that alongside the cilantro. 
• GARLIC: Don’t be too heavy handed with the garlic or you risk overpowering the other flavors in the salsa. If you don’t like the flavor of raw garlic you can leave it out if you prefer.
• HOW TO STORE LEFTOVERS: This recipe tastes best when it’s freshly made. If you let it sit for too long, the watermelon will absorb an intense onion taste and turn it into more of a juicy mess than you’d like.
• OTHER INGREDIENTS: You could add diced poblanos, orange bell peppers, yellow peppers or green peppers or tomatoes. Another nice addition to this salsa is olive oil, balsamic vinegar or red wine vinegar. 

HOW TO MAKE EASY WATERMELON SALSA

PREPARE THE WATERMELON. Start by chopping the seedless watermelon into small chunks, then remove any seeds and add to a medium bowl.

Thinly dice the red onion and add to the bowl. 

PREPARE THE JALAPENO. Next cut the jalapeño in half to remove the seeds and white flesh from the center, as it’s the spiciest part.

Then, thinly dice it.

MAKE THE SALSA. Now combine the watermelon, red onion, and jalapeño with minced garlic and chopped cilantro in a medium bowl. Add the lime juice and salt.

Taste it and add more salt if needed.

SERVE THE SALSA. Serve this delicious fresh tasting salsa with your favorite Mexican style dish, corn chips, in a rice bowl or fish taco. Store the leftover watermelon salsa in an airtight container.

WHAT TO EAT WITH WATERMELON SALSA? 

Use this salsa as a side for these Chicken Enchiladas or these Vegetarian Black Bean Enchiladas. 

Add some salsa to your favorite rice bowl, try my Cuban Pork Rice Bowl, or Tropical Coconut Rice Bowl.

Pair watermelon salsa with your favorite tacos.

Try adding it to these Easy Cod Fish Tacos, Easy Fish Tacos with Spicy Pineapple Salsa, The Best Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas, this Slow Cooker Barbecue Pulled Pork and these Slow Cooker Shredded Pork Tacos.

OTHER SALSA RECIPES YOU MIGHT ENJOY: 

HOMEMADE SALSA

AVOCADO TOMATILLO SALSA

EASY HOMEMADE SALSA VERDE

MANGO & BLACK BEAN SALSA

5-INGREDIENT WATERMELON SALSA

WATERMELON MANGO SALSA