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Spicy Watermelon Basil Salad

This spicy watermelon basil salad is one of those recipes that surprises everyone—in the best way. Sweet, juicy watermelon meets a little heat from chile and the brightness of fresh basil and onion. If you've never tried watermelon in a savory salad, this is your sign. It’s bold, refreshing, and ready in under 15 minutes.

A wooden plate holds a vibrant watermelon salad with cubed watermelon, red onion slices, basil leaves, chopped nuts, and green chili. Lime wedges rest nearby, with a folded napkin, salt shaker, and greenery in the softly lit background.

About this recipe

This spicy watermelon basil salad is one of my favorite recipes. Have you ever tried watermelon in a salad or prepared like this with chile and onion? This watermelon salad can be ready in 15 minutes or less.

Why WILL you LIKE THIS spicy WATERMELON basil SALAD?

The flavors of this salad will hook you on the first bite. It’s a simple salad that fits any summer menu, ideal as a side dish or appetizer. This salad pairs well with pasta salads, burgers, or Mediterranean dishes like falafels or green bean salad. If you’re hesitant to eat this salad, try watermelon with a pinch of salt, gradually adding other ingredients like lemon and salt until you’re ready for this watermelon salad.

A wooden plate with watermelon salad—cubes of watermelon and fresh basil—sits on a gray surface. Nearby are lime halves, a small bowl of sliced red onion, jalapeño, almonds, and a wooden dish with two sections of salt.

INGREDIENTS

  • Watermelon
  • Red onion. If the onion has a strong bite, soak it in ice water.
  • Serrano chili. For a milder flavor, use jalapeños.
  • Fresh Basil, julienned. You can substitute with fresh mint leaves or cilantro.
  • Lemon or lime juice
  • Almonds. Substitute with cashews or pumpkin seeds.
Close-up of a vibrant watermelon salad with large red cubes, sliced red onion, jalapeño, chopped herbs, and almonds. A metal juicer squeezes lime juice over the refreshing watermelon salad, with a lime wedge and basil leaves accenting the scene.

HOW TO MAKE THIS Spicy Watermelon Basil Salad?

In a large salad bowl, carefully mix all the ingredients and drizzle with the lime-olive oil mix.

Cut the watermelon into large cubes, then the chili and onion into slices, and chiffonade the basil into thin strips.

Toast the almonds with a bit of olive oil.

Mix the olive oil and lemon juice, and season with salt.

Close-up of a vibrant watermelon salad featuring cubed watermelon, sliced red onion, jalapeño, chopped almonds, and fresh mint on a dark plate. Lime wedges and green herbs accent the dish, all captured in bright natural lighting.

Give this recipe a twist

  • Add thinly sliced cucumbers to the spicy watermelon salad
  • Finish with crumbled feta cheese, use vegan feta if needed.
  • For an extra citrusy bite, add lemon or lime zest.
A wooden plate with cubed watermelon salad, garnished with red onion, basil leaves, sliced lime, jalapeño, and chopped almonds. A beige cloth, herbs, and salt shaker in the background enhance the fresh, vibrant watermelon salad presentation.

Spicy Watermelon Basil salad

Alejandra Graf
This spicy watermelon basil salad is one of those recipes that surprises everyone—in the best way. Sweet, juicy watermelon meets a little heat from chile and the brightness of fresh basil and onion. If you've never tried watermelon in a savory salad, this is your sign. It’s bold, refreshing, and ready in under 15 minutes.
5 de 2 votos
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Course Salad
Cuisine Healthy plant based food
Servings 4 servings
Calories 300 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 6 cups watermelon diced
  • 1/4 red onion thinly sliced ​
  • 1 serrano chili thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup basil julienned
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 4 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/2 cup chopped almonds

Instructions
 

  • Mix the almonds with one tablespoon of olive oil and a pinch of salt. Put them in the toaster oven or a pan to roast a bit for about 5 min.
  • The almonds are ready when they start to release their aroma. Be careful not to burn them.
  • In a small bowl mix the lemon juice and the rest of the olive oil, season with salt.
  • In a large bowl mix the watermelon (being careful not to break it), with basil, serrano pepper, and onion.
  • Add the lemon and olive oil dressing. Serve and finish it with the roasted almonds and a pinch of salt. Serve immediately.

Notes

Serve immediately.

Nutrition

Serving: -1gCalories: 300kcalCarbohydrates: 22gProtein: 5gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 3gSodium: 294mgPotassium: 391mgFiber: 3gSugar: 15gVitamin A: 1391IUVitamin C: 23mgCalcium: 66mgIron: 1mg
Keyword watermelon salad

information

Nutritional information of this recipe is only an estimate, the accuracy for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

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5 from 2 votes
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