The Best Watermelon Salad
on May 17, 2019, Updated Apr 09, 2025
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Looking for the ultimate summer side? This watermelon salad with herbs and a zingy dressing is just the thing to brighten your table (and day!) 🍉
Nothing says summer like a chilled Watermelon Salad straight out of the fridge. This one’s juicy, crunchy, herby, and just the kind of thing you need during the hot summer months. It’s light, requires minimal effort, and is the kind of recipe you can easily prep ahead and pull out when you’re ready to eat.
I usually rotate between this, my Thai Prawn Mango Salad and this refreshing Apple Walnut salad during the warmer months—they’re all big on flavor, but super low effort. Plus it’s a total crowd-pleaser, so make it for summer potlucks, backyard dinners, or just to snack on solo, straight from the bowl.
Jump to section: Watermelon salad
Watermelon Salad Ingredients
With a short, seasonal ingredient list, this salad keeps things simple and delicious.
- Base: Watermelon, English cucumber, and red onions for texture and freshness
- Herbs: Fresh basil leaves and fresh cilantro leaves
- For the Dressing: Pomegranate juice, Dijon mustard, olive oil, ground cumin, dried oregano, freshly ground black pepper, salt for the loads of flavor
- Topping: Crumbled feta cheese for the perfect savory kick
Frequently Asked Questions
Cranberry juice or orange juice are great substitutes. They’ll give a similar tart-sweet balance to the dressing.
Look for one that feels heavy for its size, has a deep hollow sound when tapped, and a creamy yellow spot on one side (a sign it ripened in the sun).
Yes! Toss everything except the herbs and chill for a few hours. Add the herbs right before serving for max freshness.
This salad is best eaten fresh, but you can store leftovers (without herbs) in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 day. Just give it a quick toss before serving.
How to Pick a Ripe Watermelon
Choosing the right watermelon is key to nailing this salad. A perfectly ripe one will give you that sweet, juicy bite every time. If you’re not sure how to pick one, then check out these tips to learn exactly what to look for when buying watermelon.
Richa’s Top Tips
- Chill everything: This salad tastes best cold! Refrigerate the watermelon, cucumber, and even the dressing for 30–60 minutes before mixing.
- Don’t skip the herbs: Basil and coriander (or mint!) really make the flavors pop. Add them just before serving so they stay fresh and vibrant.
- Toss right before eating: Watermelon releases water quickly. To avoid a soggy salad, combine everything just before serving.
- Use a sharp knife: A clean slice helps keep the watermelon from turning mushy or leaking too much juice.
- Super customisable: Feel to increase or decrease the quantity of any ingredient to suit your palate.
Serving Ideas
- Pair it with a smoky plate of Grilled Chicken Skewers for a light and fresh contrast.
- Serve along with Zucchini Basil Pasta for a light but satisfying summer dinner.
- Air fryer chicken nuggets and this salad make the perfect mix of fresh and indulgent.
- Make it part of a burger night—especially with these juicy lamb burgers or a hearty veggie burger.
Looking for more refreshing ideas? Check out my roundup of 50+ Light Summer Meals for Crazy Hot Days—perfect for when it’s too hot to cook!
Storage Tips
For optimal freshness:
- Refrigeration: Store the undressed salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a day.
- Dressing: Keep the dressing separate and mix just before serving to prevent the salad from becoming soggy.
Customisation Ideas
This watermelon salad is super flexible, and you can easily tweak it based on what you have on hand or what you’re in the mood for:
- Swap Herbs: Don’t love cilantro? Try mint or even parsley for a different twist.
- Throw in Some Crunch: Toasted nuts or seeds like almonds, pistachios, or sunflower seeds add a nice texture.
- Change the Dressing: Use lime juice instead of pomegranate, or add a splash of balsamic for a deeper tang.
- Bulk it Up: Add cooked quinoa, chickpeas, or couscous to turn this into a more filling, meal-worthy salad.
This Watermelon Salad is a celebration of summer flavors—refreshing, vibrant, and incredibly easy to make. Whether you’re hosting a gathering or simply treating yourself, this salad is sure to impress.
Give it a try, and don’t forget to share your creations with me on Instagram @my_foodstory!
Watch How To Make Watermelon Salad Video
Watermelon Salad
Ingredients
For the Salad
- 4 cups Watermelon, (chilled)
- 1 1/4 cup English Cucumber, diced (chilled)
- 1/2 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
- 1/4 teaspoon Cumin Powder
- 1/4 teaspoon Oregano, dried
- 1/4 teaspoon Black Pepper, ground
- 1/2 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.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
This article was researched and written by Harita Odedra.
Made this up but added mango to serve with a red lentil vegan curry. Really lovely flavours and loved by everyone
Sounds fantastic! So glad you liked this salad
Absolutely loving this salad! It will so good with some grilled chicken on the side. Will let you know when I try it.
Grilled chicken would be amazing! So glad you like it
nice
p.s. your husband did a great job with the website! tell him kudos!
Thank you so much!
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Awww this is the sweetest comment Preeti. Thanks for following along 🙂