Watermelon Salsa Recipe {5 Ingredients} - Savory Simple (2024)

This refreshing watermelon salsa recipe is fast and easy to prepare, and it tastes amazing! You can adjust the ingredients to create a mild, medium, or hot salsa, depending on your preference. Serve this watermelon salsa at summer barbecues and potlucks with corn chips for dipping! It’s also a wonderful topping for grilled fish or chicken. Only 5 ingredients!

Spring is in the air, and this eye-catching watermelon salsa is on the table! Juicy watermelon adds such a delicate, pleasant crunch that you don’t get from traditional salsas. The beautiful deep pink hue of the fruit also creates a very visually appealing appetizer.

Watermelon Salsa Ingredients

• Seedless watermelon
• Jalapeño or serrano pepper
• Cilantro
• Shallot or red onion
• Fresh lime juice
• Kosher salt

How to Make Watermelon Salsa

This salsa comes together very quickly, especially if you use pre-cut watermelon from the grocery store (more on that below). Here’s what you do:

Step 1: Combine the first 4 ingredients

Add the watermelon, hot pepper, cilantro, and shallot to a medium-sized bowl.

Step 2: Add remaining ingredients and stir to combine

Add the lime juice and salt, then stir to combine. At this point you’re technically done, but I recommend tasting the salsa to see if it needs adjusting. You can easily increase the heat level by adding more diced peppers. You might want another pinch of salt or a bit more acidity from lemon juice.

Watermelon Salsa Tips

• You can save time with this recipe by using pre-cubed watermelon from the produce aisle at your grocery store. Because the watermelon is being combined with so many other flavors, you won’t be able to tell the difference. The only negative is that prepared fruit and vegetables are almost always more expensive.
• Cut the pieces to a size that will be easy for scooping up with chips. I diced the shallot slightly larger than usual so they would be closer in size to the watermelon. This helps create a more balanced bite.
• I prefer using shallots over red onion because they’re milder and less astringent.
• If you want to get creative, try adding some additional ingredients! Diced cucumber would be amazing. You could also add some additional fruit like mango or pineapple.
• I like serving this salsa with blue corn chips for an appealing color contrast.

How to Cut a Watermelon

Learn how to cut a watermelon with this step-by-step photo tutorial from Fifteen Spatulas!

How Long Does Homemade Salsa Last?

Homemade salsa will technically keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, but I recommend enjoying it within 5 days for the best flavor and texture.

More Homemade Salsa Recipes

If you love this watermelon salsa recipe, be sure to check out mySalsa Verde,Sweet and Spicy Pineapple Salsa, andMango Salsa.