This Fresh Watermelon Salad with Corn and Mango is the perfect solution to any summer potluck or BBQ dilemma. Made with fresh summer produce and tossed in fresh lime juice, pair this vibrant watermelon salad with all your grilled summertime favorites like chicken and shrimp.
Refreshing Summer Watermelon Salad
I published this delicious watermelon salad recipe for you guys four years ago to the day. Octavian was still a toddler, I was still in my twenties, and somewhere in my delightful delirium as a stay-at-home, work-from-home mom, I was still considering having a second kiddo.
Funny how things change.
Anyway, today I’m giving this bright and summery watermelon salad a much-needed update. In this post, you’ll find less about me and more about the food. Good deal, yes?
Ok, so let’s highlight what makes this salad so awesome.
- It’s perfect for cookouts, potlucks, and summer barbeques
- It’s so refreshing it’s like taking a bite out of summer
- No artificial ingredients
- Gluten-free and vegan!
- Tastes delicious with chicken, beef, pork, and seafood
- 100% customizable
- It takes just 15 minutes to prepare
RELATED: Easy Mango Salsa Recipe (5-Ingredients)
Ingredients and Frequently Asked Questions
- Seedless watermelon
- Mango
- Bell peppers
- Cherry tomatoes
- Sweet corn
- Fresh cilantro
- Green onions
- Olive oil
- Rice vinegar
- Fresh lime or lemon juice
How to pick a good watermelon?
Follow these simple steps:
- Find the big yellow-colored spot, also called the “field spot”. It’s not-at-all pretty looking, but that’s ok. This large yellow splotch is where your watermelon was resting on the ground as it grew, so looks here aren’t really what’s important.
- Go for weight, not size. It may be the biggest one of the batch, but that doesn’t mean it’s the heaviest. Your watermelon should always feel nice and heavy.
- Shiny or dull? I know it’s tempting to go for shiny things, but in this case, don’t. A shiny watermelon simply indicates and underripe watermelon.
- Look for sugar spots and pollination points. This is actually the biggest indication of ripe watermelon and best when shown with an image (I’ll update soon). Sugar spots are areas on a watermelon where sugar has seeped through. It may not have been much, or perhaps it has solidified, but if your watermelon is oozing something sticky, that’s because it’s bursting with natural sugars! Pollination points are usually found in the same area as sugar spots. They’re brownish rough patches with tiny little dark brownish/black dots in rows. These ugly looking patches on watermelon are actually good things!
Do I have to add cilantro?
If you’re not a fan of cilantro, feel free to leave it out. For a little added freshness, add a couple of tablespoons of freshly chopped mint leaves, or even a little fresh basil, instead.
What else can I add to this refreshing watermelon salad?
- red onion
- pineapple
- blueberries
- English cucumbers
- jicama
- mozzarella balls
- red wine vinegar instead of the rice vinegar
How to Make This Watermelon Salad Recipe
1. Prepare the dressing – In a small bowl, whisk together all the ingredients for the lime dressing. Season with salt, if desired, to taste. If you don’t have any fresh limes, you may also use fresh lemon juice. Set aside.
2. Assemble – Chop and prepare ingredients for the salad. Transfer everything to a large mixing bowl and carefully toss to combine. Drizzle with the prepared lime dressing and toss again.
- If you have a melon baller, use it! Kids love helping, too.
3. Serve and store – Serve with all your favorite recipes and store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
How to Serve Watermelon Salad
You may enjoy this salad exactly as is or alongside a number of delicious summer recipes. A few of my favorite ways to enjoy this salad is piled on top of grilled chicken (this Jerk chicken or Greek chicken marinade are both delicious), steak, fish, or shrimp. Sometimes I’ll serve a few scoops on top of a large salad, or bowl of rice.
Tips and Tricks
- Make sure to dice the mango and watermelon approximately equal in size. Also, be sure to dice the bell pepper nice and small as it is the crunchiest part of the dish.
- Only use fresh ingredients – including the lime juice.
- Have fun and play around with different ingredient combinations. For example,
- Watermelon, feta, and balsamic vinegar or vinaigrette
- Avocado, arugula, watermelon, goat cheese
- Fruit only: watermelon, papaya, mango, pineapple
- If you plan to have leftovers, serve any avocado on the side as it doesn’t store well.
More Summer Salad Recipes,
Easy Chopped Mediterranean Salad
Melon and Mozzarella Salad with Prosciutto
Spinach Pasta Salad Recipe with Strawberries
Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe with Poppy Seed Dressing
If you try making this Fresh Watermelon Salad Recipe, please leave me a comment and let me know! I always love to hear your thoughts.
RECIPE CARD
Fresh Watermelon Salad with Corn and Mango
Ingredients
For the Salad:
- 2 mangos - peeled and chopped into small cubes
- ½ red bell pepper - seeded and chopped
- ½ yellow bell pepper - seeded and chopped
- ½ orange bell pepper - seeded and chopped
- 1.5 cups cherry tomatoes - halved
- 1 cup sweet cooked corn
- 3 cups watermelon - cubed
- ½ cup fresh cilantro - chopped
- 3 green onions - chopped
For the dressing
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 large lime - juiced (plus more to taste)
- salt - to taste (optional)
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together all the ingredients for the dressing. Set aside.
- Chop and prepare ingredients for the salad and transfer to a large mixing bowl. Gently toss. Drizzle with dressing and toss again.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Jessica's Notes
Nutritional Information
(Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and specific brands of ingredients used.)
Addictive.
This was very refreshing today!
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right here! Best of luck for the following!
This is very yummy and healthy recipe
Thank you! I have four children three of whom have spouses and one granddaughter. My Army son and daughter-in-law were home on leave and I tried this recipe. I especially enjoy when all my children are home and typically try to serve at least one new recipe with the traditional family recipes. Needless to say the tried and true dishes are growing thus making it impossible to serve every favorite for every meal. This recipe received mixed reviews and all in all this salad was a hit! We have a large family and obviously individual tastes vary. I was offered suggestions for next time (which definitely means it is a winner). I will tweak for tastes as I have since my children were young. Frequently, we had multiple dishes of same recipes on our table…onions and no onions, meat and meatless. I have been criticized over the years for catering to tastes and I will continue to do such catering. Mealtime is an important time for connection, sharing, growing, loving, and supporting relationships. I love the bantering, debating, laughing, and sometimes arguing between those sitting around the dining table. Dining at the table is tradition that is losing its power as our high tech, modern world offers fast, convenient meals, smart phones, electronic and video games, and television. It is my hope to maintain the old and wonderfully powerful tradition of taking time to sit down and enjoy life by truly engaging with those we love. I see a larger table in my future! Blessings and bon appétit!!
Hi Laurie,
I am glad it was a hit!