This watermelon blueberry salad with mint and basil adds color, flavor, vitamins, and hydration to your summer table. Best of all, it’s a simple, no-cook recipe that can be easily varied to suit your taste!

Beating the Summer Heat

The summer heat is real, and when temperatures rise, it’s common to experience changes in appetite and food cravings. And if you don’t have AC in your house, turning on the stove or oven will only increase the heat. Enter summer salads.

Whether you prefer sweet, savory, or a little of both, salads are perfect additions to your lunchbox, dinner table, potluck dinner, or outdoor picnic. Some of my favorite summer salads include:

• Colorful Strawberry Cabbage Salad (no cooking required)
• Kale, Avocado & Raspberry Salad (no cooking required)
• Farro Lunch Salad – Three Ways
• Fig, Farro, and Arugula Salad
• Lentil and Roasted Veggie Salad in a Jar
• Stone Fruit Salad with Quinoa, Arugula, and Halloumi

Watermelon: A Nutritional Powerhouse

Watermelon contains many nutrients, including vitamin A and C, potassium, and fiber. It also contains more lycopene than any other fruit or vegetable. Lycopene is an antioxidant that may lower the risk of certain cancers, heart disease, and age-related eye diseases. Watermelon is, of course, also packed with water, which can help us stay hydrated on those hot and humid days.

A Watermelon Salad without Cheese

This refreshing watermelon blueberry salad is a refreshing and easy-to-make side dish. While I love a classic watermelon and feta salad too, this version is well-suited for all those who would rather the cheese and fruit not touch or need a dairy-free recipe.

Flexible Recipe

Fortunately, this recipe is so easy to adjust and vary that it’s easy to add feta cheese if you want. Likewise, you can add any fruit that you have on hand. When I made this, I happened to have fresh blueberries on hand and wild strawberries growing outside. You don’t even need a recipe to make this watermelon blueberry salad, but I know sometimes it’s helpful for inspiration.

Make it a Complete Snack

To all my friends looking for a tasty but substantial snack, there are a few options to make this salad into more of a complete snack.

• Add that feta! Feta provides protein and fat, balancing out the carbohydrates in the salad and increasing the satisfaction factor.
• Another savory option would be to add prosciutto, chopped cucumbers, and pine nuts.
• Serve with plain yogurt. This will also provide the protein and fat you need to feel satisfied.
• For a vegan version, try adding avocado and pumpkin seeds.

Watermelon Blueberry Salad with Mint and Basil

This watermelon berry salad with mint and basil is perfect for beating the heat on those hot summer days. Whether you make it for a potluck or as a snack for yourself, it's a refreshing salad that is easy to make and will last in the refrigerator for a few days.

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Course Salad, Side Dish, Snack

Cuisine American

Servings 6 people

Ingredients

  

• 4 cups watermelon, chopped
• 1 cup blueberries
• ½ cup berries of choice raspberries, blackberries, strawberries (sliced), or wild strawberries
• ¼ cup mint, chopped (packed)
• ¼ cup basil, chopped (packed)
• 1 tablespoon honey add more or less to taste
• 1 tablespoon lime juice add more or less to taste

Instructions

 

• Combine watermelon, blueberries, other berries, mint, and basil to a bowl. Drizzle with honey and lime juice and toss to combine. Taste test and adjust.
• Store in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to three days.

Notes

Add-ins to try:

• Feta
• Cucumber
• Avocado
• Prosciutto
• Pine nuts 
• Pumpkin seeds

 

Keyword gluten-free, vegan