Watermelon Tomato Basil Salad is a delicious summertime treat! It’s easy to make with only a few ingredients. The secret ingredient that brings out the natural sweetness of the fruit is balsamic vinegar. This salad is vegan, gluten-free, and healthy.
Check out this short video and see how quickly you can make Watermelon Tomato Basil Salad!
Watermelon and tomatoes are some of my favorite seasonal ingredients. It may seem odd to put them together, but they are actually both fruits, even though we often think of tomatoes as vegetables.
Balsamic vinegar is very dark in color and originates from Italy. It’s intense in flavor since it’s made from the whole grape, including the skin and seeds. It’s sweet rather than acidic and pairs well with fruit.
I enjoy eating this salad as a light meal with some sourdough bread. It’s also a wonderful starter for a bowl of pasta such as Cherry Tomato Penne Pasta, Eggplant Bolognese Pasta, or Avocado Basil Pesto Pasta.
For this recipe, I used heirloom cherry tomatoes, but you can use whatever tomatoes that are available. If you’re using larger tomatoes you can roughly cut them a little smaller than the watermelon cubes. If using cherry or grape tomatoes like I did, you can either cut them in halves or quarters.
And for the basil I prefer to keep it rustic and tear the leaves by hand. I once saw on a cooking show that this is how they do it in Italy. Do you like to chop or tear your basil? When I do want to cut it for some recipes like raw tacos, I like using herb scissors to make it easier, especially when the basil is wet.
If you want to omit the oil in this recipe, you certainly can. The most important ingredients in this salad are the watermelon, tomatoes, basil, and balsamic vinegar.
I bought a mini-watermelon, and half the watermelon was enough to make two servings of this salad. You can use the whole melon if you want to serve more people. Impress your friends by bringing it to a summer picnic or potluck!
Now let’s make Watermelon Tomato Basil Salad!
Watermelon Tomato Basil Salad
Watermelon Tomato Basil Salad is a summertime treat! Balsamic vinegar brings out the sweetness in this refreshing salad.
Ingredients
- 2 cups watermelon cubed
- 1 cup tomatoes (halved or quartered if using cherry or grape tomatoes, roughly chopped if using larger tomatoes)
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil (optional)
- 1 Tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- salt to taste
- 1/4 cup basil leaves roughly torn
Instructions
Combine all the ingredients in a salad bowl.
Enjoy right away, or chill until ready to serve.
Recipe Notes
If you make Watermelon Tomato Basil Salad, or any of the other recipes on the website, I would love to see your creations!
Use the hashtag #veggiessavetheday on Instagram and tag Veggies Save The Day so I don’t miss seeing what’s cooking in your kitchen. In addition, you can post your photos on the Facebook page Veggies Save The Day.
This salad looks awesome! I’m loving those beautiful heirloom cherry tomatoes. They’re my favorite for snacking on. So sweet!
Thanks Becky! Those tomatoes were calling my name! I wish we were growing our own, but fortunately I can find them locally.
My family would absolutely LOVE this recipe and I can’t wait to make it for them this summer! 🙂
That makes me so happy, Jasmine!
We have been eating so much watermelon lately. Love that stuff! The flavor combo sounds divine in this salad. And I always chop my basil, but I also read that tearing it is better – it doesn’t bruise that way.
Thanks Jenn! Yes, I think you’re right about the basil not bruising when you tear it.
This looks like the perfect summer salad! I love watermelon this time of year and the balsamic is a great addition! I actually didn’t realize that balsamic uses the whole grape – good to know!
Thanks Mary Ellen! Yes, that’s why it’s such a pretty deep color.
I love the sweet and savory pair! Summer is all about the watermelon 😀
Thanks Rebecca! I completely agree!
I love the addition of balsamic vinegar to bring out the sweetness! I’m going to make this once I start seeing watermelon in the stores, that should be any day now! Your photos are gorgeous!!
Thank you so much, Gwen! I just started seeing seedless watermelon everywhere where I live, so hopefully you will, too!
Oh my goodness that sound so very refreshing. I could certainly do with a nice bowl of that right now.
Delish!
Thanks so much Trinity! It really hits the spot when it’s hot out.
This looks lovely. Love watermelon!
Thank you, Brandie!
This looks so good. I’m not typically a watermelon fan, but I think in this savory salad I would love it!
Thanks Sarah! The balsamic vinegar really makes it work!
Yum! I love a light and healthy salad recipe! Plus, this one is easy to make!
It sure is, Agness! I’m glad you like it!
This looks so beautifully light & summery. Pairing it with some crusty bread is the quintessential summer meal!
Thank you, Cadry! Maybe we could thrown in some of your delicious grilled corn, too!
I made this for the 4th today and it was a hit! I almost skipped it because there was so many other things to get done, but I’m so glad I didn’t because everyone loved it! I’d never had this combination of flavors, but the basil and balsamic brought it together so well! Will definitely be making it again!! Thanks!
Thank you so much, Lauren! This makes me so happy!