Last Updated on May 9, 2025 by PorchLightReading
Homemade watermelon salsa recipe made with simple ingredients. Bright and refreshing summer side dish everyone will love.
One watermelon, two watermelon, three watermelon, four. With the summer season comes all the watermelon! Each week I pick up this hefty beast and each week it gets eaten before you can count one potato, two potatoes.
I should be happy everyone is choosing fruit but sometimes I’m not ready for the hassle of actually opening it! The melon juice gets all over the counter, the Tupperware to store it is nowhere to be found, everything gets sticky, and little fingers are grabbing at the cutting board eager for the first slice.
I guess those are really all great problems to have because it means summer BBQ’s and fresh fruit.
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- Table of contents: Watermelon salsa recipe
- Why you’ll love this recipe
- Ingredients
- Step by step instructions
- Tips for picking the best watermelon
- Helpful tips and substitutions
- Frequently asked questions
- Jump to recipe card
Ok, sticky counters and little hands grabbing for the first slice are all good things. But once you open the watermelon you better be ready to finish it within a few days, otherwise it gets a bit too soggy.
So if this is a family watermelon and not a BBQ watermelon we cut it up and use it a few different ways. First, the extra juice while slicing gets saved for watermelon popsicles. A bit gets cut into cubes for easy snacking and school lunches. Slices go with dinner with a side of corn, and a few cups gets set aside for homemade watermelon salsa.
Watermelon Salsa Recipe
Watermelon salsa is a great side dish or snack. It’s versatile, so you can use the ingredients you already have on hand, and is perfect with tortilla chips or on top of fish tacos. Since it’s made with fresh ingredients you can feel good about indulging in this sweet and spicy, refreshing appetizer.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy- Just chop, mix, and enjoy!
- Naturally sweet and spicy- A fun summer twist on the classic tomato salsa.
- Great for sharing- Ideal for summer BBQ’s and potlucks.
- Customizable- Swap an ingredient or two to match your preference!
Ingredients
- 4 cups watermelon
- 1 cup cucumber
- ½ cup red onion
- 1-2 jalapeños
- ¼ cup cilantro
- Juice of one lime
- ¼ tsp. salt
Instructions
Prep your ingredients- Start by cutting the watermelon into small cubes. Set aside 4 cups into a bowl. Then dice the cucumber and red onion into small, even pieces. Next, seed the jalapeño and finely mince.
Combine in a bowl- In a large mixing bowl, gently toss watermelon, cucumber, red onion, jalapeño, and herbs.
Lime and seasoning- Squeeze fresh lime juice over the mixture and sprinkle with a pinch of salt. Mix together gently to not break down the fruit.
Chill and serve- Let the salsa chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving. This helps the flavors meld together. Serve with chips, on tacos, or over grilled meats.
Tips For Picking The Best Watermelon
- Look for a yellow spot- A “field spot” means that the watermelon was ripened on the vine.
- Knock on it- My grandfather always knocked on it. If it sounds hollow that means it’s juicy and ripe.
- Pick it up- The heavier the watermelon the more juice it has.
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Helpful Tips and Substitutions
Use fresh ingredients- Choose a sweet, ripe watermelon for the best flavor. Be sure to use fresh produce for a more vibrant salsa.
Customize to your liking- You can easily adjust the spice level by adding more or less jalapeños, depending on your preference.
Best enjoyed within 24 hours- Watermelon releases juice over time. To make sure it’s not too watery, drain watermelon juice before combining ingredients together and serve chilled. Best enjoyed within a day or so of preparing it.
Frequently Asked Questions
This salsa pairs well with tortilla chips, grilled chicken, fish, shrimp tacos, or as a topping for rice bowls.
Watermelon salsa is best eaten fresh, but will keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Store in an airtight container and give it a quick stir before serving. Drain excess liquid.
This salsa is only as spicy as your jalapeños. Add less for a mild salsa, or add more for a bit of a kick. Be sure to deseed your jalapeños once slicing them in half, otherwise it might become too spicy.
Bonus BBQ Tip! Use the watermelon rind as a serving bowl! Simply cut in half, slice into cubes making sure you don’t go all the way through the rind, and either spoon out the watermelon or use a small spatula to scoop out the contents.
Watermelon salsa is a fun summer twist on the classic tomato salsa. It’s vibrant, refreshing, and a great summer side for potlucks and BBQ’s.
So bring on the sticky counters and little fingers grabbing for a slice, and get ready to add this to your weekly shopping list. Five watermelon, six watermelon, seven watermelon, more… and don’t forget the tortilla chips.
Recipe Card
Watermelon Salsa Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 cups watermelon
- 1 cup cucumber
- ½ cup red onion
- 1 jalapeno
- ¼ cilantro
- 1 juice of lemon
- ¼ tsp. salt
Instructions
- Start by cutting the watermelon into small cubes. Set aside 4 cups into a bowl. Then dice the cucumber and red onion into small, even pieces. Next, seed the jalapeño and finely mince.
- In a large mixing bowl, gently toss watermelon, cucumber, red onion, jalapeño, and herbs.
- Squeeze fresh lime juice over the mixture and sprinkle with a pinch of salt. Mix together gently to not break down the fruit.
- Let the salsa chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving. This helps the flavors meld together. Serve with chips, on tacos, or over grilled meats.
Notes
Nutrition
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