Watermelon Salsa

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 my Salsa Verde, Sweet and Spicy Pineapple Salsa, and Mango Salsa.

Print Pin Recipe

Watermelon Salsa

5 from 2 votes

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.

Course Appetizer, Condiments, Side Dish

Cuisine American

Keyword Watermelon Salsa

Prep Time 10 minutes

Total Time 10 minutes

Servings 6 servings (3 cups)

Calories 27

Author Jennifer Farley

Ingredients

US Customary - Metric

• ▢ 3 cups seedless watermelon, diced
• ▢ 1 large jalapeño or serrano pepper, seeded and minced (or to taste)
• ▢ 1/3 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• ▢ 1/4 cup shallot or red onion, finely diced
• ▢ 1/4 cup fresh lime juice, or to taste (about 3 limes)
• ▢ 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
• ▢ Optional: tortilla chips for serving

Instructions

• ▢
  In a medium-sized bowl, combine the watermelon, jalapeño, cilantro, and shallot.
• ▢
  Add the lime juice and salt, stirring until evenly combined. Taste and adjust seasoning if desired.
• ▢
  Serve with tortilla chips or as a topping over grilled fish or chicken.
• ▢
  Leftovers will 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.

Notes

While I didn’t use it, diced cucumber would also tasty in this salsa (about 1 cup). You could also throw in some additional fruit like mango or pineapple.

Not sure what type of hot pepper to use? While jalapeño peppers are the most common option (and often the easiest to find), keep in mind that they can vary wildly in heat level. I often use serrano peppers, which are always consistently spicy. I know what I'm getting.

I prefer using shallots over red onion in this recipe because they're milder and less astringent.

Please read my full post for additional recipe notes, tips, and serving suggestions!

Nutrition

Calories: 27kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 98mg | Potassium: 97mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 520IU | Vitamin C: 12.2mg | Calcium: 5mg | Iron: 0.2mg

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