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.
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 Easy Pan Fried Fish.
Why You Will Love this Salsa
- Easy to Prep: This fresh salsa is so easy to prep using fresh ingredients. The bulk of your time will be dicing the melon 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.
- Versatile: 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.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s an overview of the simple ingredients we’re using. Jump to the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts and printable instructions.
- 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 jalapeño pepper adds some mild chili heat, without it becoming too hot. You can also add Serrano peppers or habaneros.
- 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.
- Citrus: 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 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.
- 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. Fresh mint is another great option that pairs nicely with watermelon. You could add that alongside the cilantro.
- 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 this Watermelon Salsa
Step 1: Prepare 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.
Step 2: Prepare 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.
Step 3: Make 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.
Step 4: Serve: Serve this delicious fresh tasting salsa with your favorite Mexican style dish, tortilla chips, in a rice bowl or fish taco. Store the leftover watermelon salsa in an airtight container.
What to Serve 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 and these Slow Cooker Shredded Pork Tacos.
Storage Tips
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.
More Salsa Recipes
Appetizers
Cucumber Salsa
Appetizers
Homemade Salsa
Appetizers
Avocado Tomatillo Salsa
Appetizers
Tomatillo Salsa Verde
Watermelon Salsa
Ingredients
- 4 cups chopped watermelon, seedless
- 1/2 red onion, thinly diced
- 1 jalapeno, thinly diced
- A handful of cilantro, chopped
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- Juice of 2 limes
- 1/2 teaspoon salt.
Instructions
- Chop the watermelon into small chunks, then remove any seeds. Thinly dice the red onion.
- Cut the jalapeno in half to remove the seeds and white flesh from the center, as it’s the spiciest part. Then, thinly dice it.
- Combine the watermelon, red onion, and jalapeno with minced garlic and chopped cilantro in a large bowl. Add lime juice and salt.
- aste it and add more salt if needed.
- Serve it with your favorite Mexican style dish, rice bowl or fish tacos.
Notes
- This recipe tastes the best when it’s freshly made. If you let it sit for too long, watermelon will absorb an intense onion taste and turn it into more of a juicy mess than you’d like.
