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    Home » Recipes » Appetizer » Watermelon Salsa Recipe

    Watermelon Salsa Recipe

    Published: May 31, 2023 by Tonia Larson

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

    ↓ JUMP TO RECIPE ↓ JUMP TO VIDEO

    This watermelon salsa recipe is so fun when served from a watermelon bowl! It is delicious with chips or on top of grilled chicken or tacos.

    Watermelon salsa in a watermelon bowl.

    Does any other fruit say summer as fresh watermelon does? Every summer party, picnic, and backyard cookout from as far back as I can remember included watermelon.

    We love it sliced into triangles, cut up in a fruit salad, and blended into raspberry watermelon lemonade. This watermelon salsa recipe is another delicious way to enjoy summer watermelon.

    What You’ll Find In This Post

    • How To Choose A Watermelon
    • How To Make Watermelon Salsa
      • Step One: Cut and Slice
      • Step Two: Dice and Chop
      • Step Three: Season and Mix
      • Step Four: Serve and Enjoy
    • Other Ways To Make It
      • Watermelon Pico de Gallo
      • Watermelon Mango Salsa
      • Fruit Salsa with Watermelon
    • Watermelon Salsa Recipe FAQs
    • More Salsa Recipes

    How To Choose A Watermelon

    I wrote a whole blog post about how to pick a watermelon, but here are a few quick notes:

    1. For this recipe, pick a small/personal-sized seedless watermelon because it is the perfect size for a bowl.

    2. Choose a watermelon that will lay flat on a table. Test it out at the store by setting it on a flat surface or even the floor.

    3. Pick a watermelon that is symmetrical (if cut in half, the two sides would be the same) and is free of gashes, bruises, or soft spots.

    4. Look for a creamy, buttery yellow spot where the watermelon lay on the ground. A greenish-white spot means that it wasn’t left to ripen long enough.

    5. Compare the weight of the watermelon with others similar in size and choose the heavier one for the juiciest watermelon.

    How To Make Watermelon Salsa

    Slicing a watermelon.

    Step One: Cut and Slice

    Lay the watermelon on its side and cut the top 1/4 to 1/3 off using a sharp knife or watermelon slicer.

    Make crosshatch cuts in a watermelon.

    Cut slices into the flesh of the watermelon in a crosshatch pattern without going through the rind.

    Cut along the rind.

    Make a cut all the way around the watermelon between the flesh and the rind.

    Scoop out the pieces.

    Scoop out the watermelon slices, set them on a cutting board, and dice them into small pieces. Hollow out the rest of the watermelon and dump out the juice so that it can be used as a bowl. Here are more ways to cut a watermelon!

    Diced the watermelon for watermelon salsa.

    Step Two: Dice and Chop

    Dice enough watermelon to measure one cup of the watermelon salsa and save the remaining watermelon for another use.

    Dice an English seedless cucumber.

    Dice one cup of cucumber. I chose an English seedless cucumber and didn’t peel it to keep the bright green color.

    Slice and dice bell peppers.

    Dice one cup of bell peppers. Use any combination of colors.

    Dice a red onion.

    Dice one cup of red onion.

    Chop fresh cilantro.

    Chop 1/3 cup fresh cilantro.

    Watermelon salsa ingredients in a bowl.

    Step Three: Season and Mix

    Put the diced watermelon in a bowl and add the cucumbers, bell peppers, onions, cilantro, finely chopped jalapeño pepper (add only if you want spicy watermelon salsa), lime juice, salt, and black pepper.

    Mix everything together and taste the watermelon salsa. Add additional lime juice, salt, and black pepper, if needed.

    Step Four: Serve and Enjoy

    Scoop the watermelon cucumber salsa into the hollowed-out watermelon bowl. Serve the fresh melon salsa directly from the watermelon bowl.

    Watermelon salsa in a watermelon bowl.

    Other Ways To Make It

    Watermelon Pico de Gallo

    You can easily turn this recipe into watermelon pico de gallo, which is a watermelon tomato salsa!

    • Dice 2/3 to 1 cup of Roma tomatoes and add them to the ingredients called for in the recipe.
    • You can also add a clove of minced garlic for a more authentic pico de gallo flavor.
    • Since the number of ingredients increased, you may need to add more salt, pepper, and lime juice to taste.

    Watermelon Mango Salsa

    Watermelon and mango taste so good together! This variation is another yummy way to have a taste of summer.

    • Dice 2/3 to 1 cup of fresh mangos and add them to the other ingredients.
    • Taste the watermelon mango salsa and add more salt, pepper, and lime juice as needed.

    Fruit Salsa with Watermelon

    You can also turn this into a fruit salsa with watermelon by swapping out the diced veggies with other fruits! It will become a sweet salsa you can enjoy with cinnamon sugar chips.

    • Combine 1 1/2 cups of diced watermelon, 1 cup of diced strawberries, 1 cup of diced mangos, and 1/2 cup of diced kiwi.
    • Taste the salsa, and depending on how sweet your fruit is, you may need to add some granulated sugar to sweeten it up.
    • This salsa is delicious on marshmallow ice cream, homemade waffles, and crepes.
    Scoop of watermelon pico de gallo.

    Watermelon Salsa Recipe FAQs

    How do I cut the watermelon and keep the rind for a bowl?

    Cut the watermelon flesh away from the rind and use a spoon to scoop it out.

    What else can I add to this salsa recipe?

    Try adding more fruit and veggies such as corn, tomatoes, zucchini, strawberries, mango, or pineapple. You could also add garlic, black beans, or avocados.

    What should I serve with watermelon salsa?

    To use this salsa as a dip for an appetizer or snack, serve it with tortilla chips or cinnamon chips. To enjoy it as part of a meal, serve it with chicken or fish or on top of tacos!

    Can I use bottled lime juice?

    Yes, you can use freshly squeezed lime juice or bottled.

    Would it be okay to use lemon juice instead of lime juice?

    Yes. I LOVE lime juice, so that is what I use, but lemon juice would work as well.

    Spoonful of watermelon salsa.

    I was wondering if I would like this recipe for watermelon salsa as much as I like my pineapple salsa, and I do! I’ve also tried adding diced tomatoes to this recipe and loved it that way too.

    More Salsa Recipes

    We hear you! We love salsa too! Try one of these recipes next:

    • Pineapple Salsa has a delicious combination of sweet and spicy.
    • Fruit Salsa is a combination of fruits and is served with cinnamon chips!
    • Our Corn Salsa tastes just like the one you get from Chipotle!
    • Mango Salsa is a tasty combination of juicy mangos and fresh veggies.
    • This restaurant-style Salsa Recipe is made for tortilla chips!

    Additional Watermelon Recipes

    On the lookout for another recipe with watermelon? You’ve got to try these:

    • Adorable Watermelon Cupcakes are the perfect summer treat!
    • Make a fresh Watermelon Salad with glazed pecans and poppyseed dressing.
    • Watermelon Pizza has cream cheese frosting for sauce and fruit for toppings!
    • This Watermelon Cake is decorated with buttercream frosting to look like a slice of watermelon.
    Watermelon salsa in a watermelon bowl.

    Watermelon Salsa Recipe

    This watermelon salsa recipe is so fun when served from a watermelon bowl! It is delicious with chips or on top of grilled chicken, salmon, or tacos.
    4.50 from 18 votes
    ↑ Click stars to rate!
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    Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Servings: 12
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    Calphalon Knife Block Set
    Glass Mixing Bowl Set
    Glass Dessert Bowls
    Doryh Serving Spoons

    Ingredients

    • 1 personal-sized or mini seedless watermelon (to be used as the bowl)
    • 1 cup diced watermelon
    • 1 cup diced cucumbers
    • 1 cup diced bell peppers (any combination of green, orange, yellow or red peppers)
    • ½ cup diced onion
    • ⅓ cup chopped fresh cilantro
    • 2 tablespoon lime juice
    • 1 tablespoon finely minced jalapeno pepper (optional – add more for additional heat)
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • ⅛ teaspoon black pepper

    Instructions

    • Lay the watermelon on its side and cut the top ¼ to ⅓ off.
    • Cut slices into the flesh of the watermelon in a crosshatch pattern without going through the rind.
    • Make a cut all of the way around the watermelon between the flesh and the rind.
    • Scoop out the watermelon slices and set them aside on a cutting board.
    • Hollow out the rest of the watermelon and dump out the juice so that it can be used as a bowl.
    • Dice enough watermelon to measure one cup. Save the remaining watermelon for another use.
    • Put the diced watermelon in a bowl and add the cucumbers, peppers, onions, cilantro, jalapenos, lime juice, salt, and black pepper.
    • Mix everything together and taste the salsa. Add additional lime juice, salt, and black pepper, if needed.
    • Scoop the watermelon salsa into the hollowed out watermelon bowl. Serve the watermelon salsa directly from the watermelon bowl.

    Video

    Notes

    One: Storage

    Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days.

    Two: Watermelon Pico de Gallo

    Add 2/3 to 1 cup of diced Roma tomatoes and a clove of minced garlic.

    Three: Watermelon Mango Salsa

    Add 2/3 to 1 cup of diced fresh mangos.

    Four: Fruit Salsa with Watermelon

    Combine 1 1/2 cups of diced watermelon, 1 cup of diced strawberries, 1 cup of diced mangos, and 1/2 cup of diced kiwi.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1/12 | Calories: 12kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 0.4g | Fat: 0.1g | Saturated Fat: 0.02g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.03g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 50mg | Potassium: 71mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 515IU | Vitamin C: 20mg | Calcium: 6mg | Iron: 0.1mg
    Course: Appetizer
    Cuisine: American
    Author: Tonia Larson

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    About Tonia Larson

    Hi! I’m Tonia, the owner and recipe creator at The Gunny Sack, where I’ve shared easy recipes for busy people for 12+ years! My family-friendly meals, easy side dishes, and delicious desserts include mouthwatering photos, dynamic videos, and step-by-step instructions to help you cook at home.

    « Cotton Candy Ice Cream

    Comments

    1. LES says

      August 23, 2020 at 3:03 pm

      can this be preserved for use later if i make a large batch

      Reply
      • Tonia says

        August 24, 2020 at 1:11 pm

        Hi Les,
        Since this salsa contains watermelon, it is best when eaten with a day or two.
        Enjoy!
        ~Tonia

        Reply
    2. Paula says

      August 27, 2018 at 9:00 am

      5 stars
      This recipe was a big hit at my house. I served it as a salad to accompany carne asada and chicken tacos. The only thing I did differently was to cut the watermelon, cucumbers, and bell peppers into larger chunks. Favorite new recipe of the summer. Thank you!

      Reply
    3. Paula says

      August 27, 2018 at 9:00 am

      5 stars
      This recipe was a big hit at my house. I served it as a salad to accompany carne asada and chicken tacos. The only thing I did differently was to cut the watermelon, cucumbers, and bell peppers into larger chunks. Favorite new recipe of the summer. Thank you!

      Reply
    4. Janet Carp says

      July 10, 2018 at 12:16 pm

      How do you cut the watermelon IN the watermelon itself??

      Reply
      • Tonia says

        July 10, 2018 at 1:18 pm

        Hi Janet,
        First cut the watermelon in half or cut off the top third of the watermelon. Use a long knife with a pointed end to make cuts, in a grid pattern, through the flesh of the watermelon without cutting the rind. Then, cut around the outer edge of the flesh, again without cutting the rind. The bottoms of each piece of watermelon are still attached but use a long-handled spoon to scoop them out. I will try to make a video showing how I do it sometime soon so that I can add it to the post. The second picture in the blog post shows what the watermelon looks like once the cuts are made.
        Best of luck!
        ~Tonia

        Reply
    5. Ruth says

      July 7, 2018 at 2:09 pm

      Thank you so much for sharing! They both look lovely.

      Reply

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    Tonia Larson and Brian LarsonHi, We are Brian and Tonia Larson! We hope you enjoy our family-friendly meals, easy side dishes, and tasty desserts!
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