This watermelon salad with basil and cucumber is a summer special thats fresh, zippy and crunchy! It can be dressed without the herbs and left in the refrigerator for a few hours till you are ready to serve which makes it perfect for potlucks, barbecues and beach parties.
I've told you before that I don't like watermelon and yet, this is my second watermelon recipe this season. I guess I can't get enough lately. And I'm discovering my love for this right now. Better late than never.
A good watermelon salad when it's hot and sweaty can immediately lift the mood as I'm discovering these days. We inhale this by the bowlful on most days now.
Most watermelon salad recipe are feta based with a balsamic dressing. But this one's different. This is more like a mediterranean watermelon salad with fresh cucumber, basil, cilantro, roasted cumin, oregano and pomegranate juice in the dressing. There's a sharp flavour from the mustard and red onions that's a nice balance to all the sweetness. And the herbs really make the watermelon shine. If you can't live without the saltiness of feta, go ahead and add it if you want, but I don't mind leaving it out.
Pick the right watermelon
It's really important that you pick watermelon thats ripe. Here in India, the fun thing is you can ask the vendor to cut open the watermelon and even let you taste it before you have to buy it. But I guess that's just India. Here are some tips that can help you choose watermelon.
Make this watermelon salad ahead
This watermelon salad can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator. I recommend chilling it for at least half an hour. Leave the herbs out and dress everything else and store it in the fridge. Just before serving, toss the basil and cilantro in, so that they don't wilt completely by the time people start eating.
You might notice that the dressing pools at the bottom if you leave the salad in the fridge for too long, but just give it a quick toss and you are good to go.
This recipe really makes me feel like I'm summer ready! A watermelon under my arm and I can tackle everything.
Also try: This Watermelon Lime Smoothie for a quick pick me up!
Check Out Easy Healthy Salads:
- Barley Chicken Salad with Herb Vinaigrette
- Vegan Pasta Salad with Italian Balsamic Dressing
- Healthy Lemon Dill Potato Salad (No Mayo)
- Crunchy Chinese Chicken Salad
- Mediterranean Chickpea Salad
- Creamy Apple Broccoli Walnut Salad
- Southwest Chicken Quinoa Bean Salad
- Chicken Cobb Salad with Avocado Blue Cheese Dressing
- Creamy Avocado Blue Cheese Salad Dressing
- Mexican Prawn Avocado Taco Salad
- Thai Peanut Mango Quinoa Salad
- Apple Arugula Almond Salad with Orange Dressing
Watermelon Salad with Basil and Cucumber
Ingredients
For the Salad
- 4 cups Watermelon (chilled)
- 1 ¼ cup English Cucumber diced (chilled)
- ½ cup Onions sliced
- 3 tablespoon Coriander leaves Cilantro, chopped
- 3 tablespoon Basil torn
Salad Dressing
- 3 tablespoon Pomegranate Juice
- 1 tablespoon Dijon Mustard
- 2 tablespoon Olive Oil
- ¼ teaspoon Cumin Powder
- ¼ teaspoon Oregano dried
- ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper ground
- ½ teaspoon Salt
Instructions
- Put all the ingredients for the dressing in a bowl and whisk together till combined.
- Place the watermelon, cucumber, onions in a salad bowl and drizzle the dressing over. Toss together. Refrigerate for at least half an hour to let the flavors seep in. Toss the cilantro and basil with the salad just before serving.
Steven Jepson says
Made this up but added mango to serve with a red lentil vegan curry. Really lovely flavours and loved by everyone
Richa says
Sounds fantastic! So glad you liked this salad
Playful Cooking says
Absolutely loving this salad! It will so good with some grilled chicken on the side. Will let you know when I try it.
Richa says
Grilled chicken would be amazing! So glad you like it
memmsta says
nice
preeti says
p.s. your husband did a great job with the website! tell him kudos!
Richa says
Thank you so much!
preeti says
i rarely bookmark recipe websites, but I love your recipes! i tried a couple and they were a big hit. i look forward to new posts from you all the time. great recipes, fantastic photography and not too long or rambling articles. just perfect for someone whose attention can't be monopolized for too long 😀
Richa says
Awww this is the sweetest comment Preeti. Thanks for following along 🙂