Right now the local grocery stores are full of beautiful watermelons just begging to be transformed into something fabulous and this watermelon basil salad is one of my favorite ways to do it.
Watermelons are naturally sweet, low in calories, help you to stay hydrated and they are packed full of vitamins A and C. I usually have a big bowl of watermelon cubes in my refrigerator all summer long. Whether I am enjoying them as a mid-day snack or adding them to a delicious summer salad like we are making today, watermelons are high on my summertime ingredient list and when they are combined with tart blueberries, creamy feta, fresh herbs and a simple honey citrus drizzle, they are absolutely perfect.
Let’s get started…
Begin by dicing up 3 cups of watermelon and 1 cup of cucumber. Thinly slice 1/2 cup of red onion, crumble about 1/3 cup of feta and gather 1/2 cup of blueberries.
Basil is best when hand torn, as slicing into basil leaves can cause the oils from the leaves to be left on the cutting board instead of in the dish you add it to, so I recommend add the small leaves whole and tearing the larger leaves in half or quarters.
You can add as much fresh basil as you want to this salad. If you love the flavor like I do, add a bunch, but if you prefer to keep the basil as more of an accent to this salad then just add 8-10 leaves.
When you are deciding on your watermelon, choose one that is firm and heavy with a yellow tint to its “field patch”. Many watermelons have a little light colored patch somewhere on their body, this is where they had laid on the ground during the ripening process. If this patch is white, it typically indicates that this watermelon did not spend enough time ripening on the vine. You want a bit of yellowing in that patch!
As a child, I was taught to knock on the side of a watermelon. If it sounds hollow, pass. If it sounds deep and full, that one goes in the cart. I don’t know how scientific this “test” is, but if you ever see me picking out watermelons, you are going to see me knock on a few… just to be sure…
Combine the watermelon, blueberries, cucumber, red onion, feta and basil leaves in a large bowl and toss all of these beautiful ingredients together.
I do feel it necessary to tell you that I often serve this salad without any sort of dressing. Every ingredient in this mix is delicious as is, but if you are looking for a light dressing that will bring everything together harmoniously, I combine 2 tablespoons of honey with 2 tablespoons of fresh lime juice and add a pinch of sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper in a small bowl.
Drizzle this honey lime dressing over the bowl and toss to incorporate.
If this is the first you are hearing about a watermelon salad, you may be feeling intrigued, but cautious about how these flavors jive, but trust me… they jive real well…
The watermelon is subtly sweet and super juicy and if you dice it up kind of small, it is easy to get a bit of everything in each bite. The cucumber adds freshness and some crunch to this salad and the blueberries add a little tartness that really plays well with the watermelon. The red onion adds bitterness that is needed to balance the other flavors and the feta is salty and creamy.
The basil leaves add something really special to this salad. If you absolutely hate basil then feel free to add mint, cilantro or simple leave the herbs out altogether, but I am a huge fan of the boldness that basil adds. This salad can also be served over mixed greens, if desired.
This is one of my very favorite summer side dishes. It is perfect next to anything from a big juicy burger, ribs or pulled pork to a nice piece of fish or some grilled corn or a baked potato. I also love it as a light lunch on a hot summer day.
It is a light, fresh, flavorful and delicious. The perfect way to celebrate watermelon season!
Watermelon Basil Salad
Ingredients
- 3 cups of watermelon, seedless, diced
- 1 cup of cucumber, seeds removed, diced
- 1/2 cup of blueberries
- 1/2 cup of red onion, thin sliced
- 1/3 cup of feta, crumbled
- fresh basil leaves, whole or hand torn
- 2 tablespoons of honey
- 2 tablespoons of fresh lime juice
- a pinch of sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper
- mixed greens (optional)
Instructions
- Combine the watermelon, cucumber, blueberries, red onion, feta and fresh basil leaves in a large bowl
- In a small bowl, whisk 2 tablespoons of honey with 2 tablespoons of fresh lime juice and a pinch of sea salt and black pepper until combined
- Drizzle the dressing over the watermelon mixture and toss until incorporated
- Enjoy!
