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This watermelon salad with goat cheese and basil is bursting with flavor! You’ll love the sweet fruit, tangy cheese, fresh herbs, and red onion with the bright vinaigrette.
Watermelon is delicious to eat on its own or mixed in with a few other fruits. I’ve always thought of it as a nice, refreshing summer treat with a mild taste.
But have you ever tried combining it with big, bold flavors? This watermelon salad with goat cheese and basil does exactly that, and it may be my new favorite summer salad!
Crisp fruit, tangy goat cheese, vibrant red onion, and fresh basil tossed in a bright lemon vinaigrette is a symphony of tastes. Seriously, the flavors are amazing together!
And the entire recipe takes about 15 minutes or less to make. Just mix the vinaigrette ingredients, chop your watermelon and onion, then combine everything in a bowl and dig in. It’s incredibly simple, but so delicious.
How to make watermelon salad with goat cheese and basil
Ready to see how this easy salad comes together in just 4 steps?
Step 1: In a small bowl, mix together the vinaigrette ingredients until smooth. Set aside.
Step 2: Add the cubed watermelon to a large salad bowl.
Step 3: Crumble the goat cheese over the watermelon, add the sliced red onion, then sprinkle with the torn basil leaves.
Step 4: Just before serving, drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad and toss well to combine.
That’s it! Your salad is ready to enjoy.
Variations for your salad
Want to get creative with this recipe? You can easily substitute ingredients to try out different flavor combinations!
Instead of goat cheese, you could use feta to add even more tanginess. Or, for a milder flavor, fresh mozzarella would be delicious with the watermelon and basil.
Don’t love red onion? Use a milder onion, or simply omit it altogether.
Want to try out some different herbs? Fresh mint, cilantro, or dill would each be a fun twist on the flavor profile.
Finally, feel free to swap out the lemon vinaigrette for another dressing of your choice. This easy balsamic vinaigrette or citrus vinaigrette would both be great options.
Have some fun with the flavors!
Storage
Once you slice fruit, it’s best to serve as soon as possible. If you want to prep this dish in advance, you can chop and combine all the ingredients except the vinaigrette, then store in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator.
When you’re ready to serve, add the vinaigrette and mix to combine.
Leftover salad can be stored covered in the refrigerator for a day or two, but keep in mind that the vinaigrette will soften the watermelon.
Other delicious watermelon recipes
Looking for more ways to use this refreshing summer fruit? I love finding new options to incorporate into easy recipes!
Here are a few of my favorites that I know you’ll enjoy:
You can find even more recipe inspiration in these roundups of low-carb salad recipes and diabetes-friendly salad dressings.
When you’ve tried this salad, please don’t forget to let me know how you liked it and rate the recipe in the comments below!
Watermelon Salad with Goats Cheese and Basil
Ingredients
Salad
- 5 cups watermelon, (cubed)
- ½ red onion, (sliced thinly)
- 3 ½ ounces goat cheese
- ¼ cup fresh basil, (torn)
Vinaigrette
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ tablespoon red wine vinegar
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix together the vinaigrette ingredients until smooth. Set aside.2 tablespoons lemon juice, 2 tablespoons olive oil, ½ tablespoon red wine vinegar, ½ teaspoon sea salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Add the cubed watermelon to a large salad bowl.5 cups watermelon
- Crumble the goat cheese over the watermelon, add the sliced red onion, then sprinkle with the torn basil leaves.½ red onion, 3 ½ ounces goat cheese, ¼ cup fresh basil
- Just before serving, drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad and toss well to combine.
