• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Cooking On The Weekends
  • About
    • Press
    • Contact
  • Recipe Index
  • "How To"
  • Work with Me
menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
    • Contact
  • Recipe Index
  • Subscribe
  • Shop
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • About
      • Contact
    • Recipe Index
    • Subscribe
    • Shop
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Seasonal Salads » Watermelon Basil Salad with Avocado

    Watermelon Basil Salad with Avocado

    Jun 5, 2022 · by Valentina · 22 Comments

    This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe

    This Watermelon Basil Salad is a unique, delightful summer salad with beautifully blended, delicious vibrant flavors. An easy salad to whip up, the combination of sweet watermelon with balsamic dressing and a handful of other simple ingredients is out of this world.

    Large ceramic serving bowl full with Watermelon Basil Salad with feta, avocado, and balsamic reduction.

    It's beautiful, hearty, refreshing, packed with amazing flavors and it's screaming with summertime melon deliciousness.

    This Watermelon Basil Salad is an exciting twist and deviation from the classic watermelon salad recipe made with feta cheese and fresh mint leaves.

    Seriously, you won't be able to get enough, and it will certainly be a crowd pleaser.

    Jump to:
    • This Summer's Salad Ingredients
    • How to Make Watermelon Basil Salad
    • Variations
    • Recipe Tips
    • Serving Suggestions
    • More Summer Watermelon Recipes
    • Watermelon Basil Salad Recipe

    This Summer's Salad Ingredients

    Chopped watermelon, feta, red onion, dried figs and lettuce and basil leaves on a cutting baord.
    • mixed baby greens - Feel free to use any lettuce you like. I love the mixed baby greens because they add slightly different flavors and colors to the salad.
    • fresh basil leaves - Look for perky bunches of basil and avoid any brown, bruised or yellow leaves.
    • seedless watermelon - Indications of a ripe watermelon are strong, consistent stripe pattern and a dull finish.
    • feta cheese - Be sure to get a block of feta rather than crumbled. A block of Feta sold in brine is best. The reason a watermelon Feta salad is so popular is because of how amazing the salty feta is in combination with the juicy sweetness of the watermelon. However, if you'd like to use a substitute cheese, goat or blue cheese would also be delicious.
    • avocado - Ripe avocados should yield to firm gentle pressure. It should feel slightly soft but not “mushy” to the touch.
    • red onion - Choose onions that are firm, heavy for their size and without bruises.
    • dried figs - Any variety. This is where this watermelon basil salad takes you on a twist! The figs add an unexpected chewy texture and sweet flavor. You can achieve a similar affect if you substitute the dried figs with dried cherries, dried blueberries or finely chopped dates.
    • balsamic vinegar
    • extra virgin olive oil

    (See recipe card below for quantities.)

    Cubed watermelon and fresh basil leaves on a cutting board.

    How to Make Watermelon Basil Salad

    - In a large salad bowl, gently toss all of the ingredients together, except the balsamic vinegar, olive oil, salt and pepper. (Here's How to Cut a Watermelon into Cubes, and How to Cut an Avocado.)

    - Next, make a balsamic reduction. Pour the balsamic vinegar into a small saucepan and place it over medium-low heat. Bring to a strong simmer and cook to reduce by at least half, until you have a thick syrup.

    - Just before serving the Watermelon Feta Basil Salad, drizzle the balsamic reduction and olive oil over the salad, toss, and season to taste with salt and pepper.

    (More detailed instructions are in the recipe card below.)

    Ceramic salad bowl with Watermelon Basil Salad with feta and avocado.

    Variations

    • If you want added crunch, pine nuts or pistachio nuts would be very tasty.
    • To make this salad even heartier, you can add grilled chicken or shrimp.

    Recipe Tips

    • As with most salads, it's best to cut and prepare all of the fresh ingredients as close to serving time as possible. That said, if you do want to chop things ahead of time, drizzle fresh lemon juice or fresh lime juice over the avocado so it keeps its color.

    Serving Suggestions

    • This Watermelon Basil Salad recipe is one of my favorite summer side dish recipes, and it's also great for a vegetarian entrée salad.
    • It's perfect for a picnic or barbecue -- really, any summer lunch or dinner.
    • It's delicious alongside Grilled Coffee Balsamic Steak, Grilled Jalapeño Turkey Burgers, Shrimp Burgers with Cilantro, and/or Lemon-Pepper Grilled Corn.

    More Summer Watermelon Recipes

    • Watermelon Pizza with Lime
    • Compressed Watermelon
    • Watermelon Cucumber Salsa
    • Grilled Chile-Lime Watermelon
    • Watermelon Halloumi Salad Sandwich
    • Fresh Melon Cake with Balsamic Glaze

    Everyone loves watermelon recipes on hot summer days!

    Wooden salad forks holding up a scoop of watermelon salad with feta, avocado and basil.

    I hope you fall in love with this, and that it becomes one of your your go-to summer salad recipes.

    Top view of a serving bowl full with watermelon basil salad with feta and avocado.

    Watermelon Basil Salad Recipe

    Valentina K. Wein
    Watermelon Basil Salad is a unique, delightful summer salad with a combination of beautifully blended, vibrant flavors.
    *Serves 4 as a main course and 6 as an appetizer.
    5 from 4 votes
    Print
    Prep Time 20 minutes mins
    Cook Time 15 minutes mins
    Total Time 35 minutes mins
    Course Appetizer, Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4 to 6
    Calories 388 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 8 cups loosely packed mixed baby greens
    • 2 cups loosely packed fresh basil leaves (if leaves are large, tear or cut them into smaller pieces)
    • 3 cups seedless watermelon, cut into bite-sized cubes
    • 1 cup avocado, cut into bite-sized cubes
    • 1 cup feta, cut into bite-sized cubes
    • ¾ cup finely chopped red onion
    • ½ cup dried figs, cut into a small dice
    • ½ cup balsamic vinegar
    • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
    • salt and freshly ground black pepper

    Instructions
     

    • Combine ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, excluding the vinegar, oil, salt and pepper, toss all of the ingredients together.
    • Make balsamic reduction. Pour the balsamic vinegar into a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Bring to a strong simmer and cook to reduce by at least half, until you have a thick syrup. This should take less than 5 minutes.
    • Assemble. Now drizzle the balsamic glaze and the oil over the salad, toss, and season to taste with salt and pepper. (Here's How to Season to Taste.)

    NOTES

    Nutritional information is only an estimate.

    NUTRITION

    Calories: 388kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 33mg | Sodium: 463mg | Potassium: 712mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 22g | Vitamin A: 2406IU | Vitamin C: 36mg | Calcium: 275mg | Iron: 2mg
    Keywords good for summer dinner parties, unique salad recipes, summer watermelon recipes
    Have you tried this recipe?I'd love to see it on Instagram! Tag me at @cookingontheweekends or leave a comment & rating below.

    Save

    Save

    More Salad Recipes

    • Cannelllini Bean Tuan Salad i a white bowl with blue trim and red flowers on it.
      Cannellini Bean Tuna Salad
    • Terra cotta bowl with peach avocado salad and fresh flowers behind it.
      Peach Avocado and Zucchini Salad
    • Salad with tomatoes and cucumber with wooden salad servers in white bowl.
      Tomato Cucumber and Feta Salad
    • top view of a Mexican chopped salad in a wooden bowl, on a colorful placemat.
      Chopped Mexican Salad with Spiced Pepitas

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Liz

      June 06, 2022 at 4:55 pm

      Such a gorgeous, delicious salad! I always love the addition of dried fruit, so this won me over immediately!

      Reply
      • valentina

        June 08, 2022 at 8:47 pm

        Thanks, Liz. Enjoy! 🙂 ~Valentina

        Reply
    2. Eha

      June 06, 2022 at 8:39 pm

      5 stars
      The recipe for this delight is already in the kitchen ! Altho' I rarely eat by the seasons the Antarctic gales upsetting the local applecart at the moment do not make one feel like purchasing watermelon ! Feta and figs sound great and the salad vibrantly appetizing . . . . thanks and hugs . . .

      Reply
      • valentina

        June 16, 2022 at 11:23 am

        Thanks, Eha! And hugs right back to you. 🙂 ~Valentina

        Reply
    3. Dawn

      June 07, 2022 at 4:43 am

      5 stars
      I could definitely see this salad in my future! Just perfect for the summer months. So many delicious colours, flavours and textures in this one, Valentina! Love the suggestion of adding some nuts, too. Can't wait to give this one a go, I know I'm gonna love it!

      Reply
      • valentina

        June 08, 2022 at 8:48 pm

        Thanks so much, Dawn. Hope it's a hit! 🙂 ~Valentina

        Reply
    4. Chef Mimi

      June 07, 2022 at 5:47 am

      I’ve played around with watermelon in salads for years, but usually keeping it simple, like watermelon and pecorino, or watermelon and tomato. But I love what you did here - just put all of the flavors and textures together and indulge!!!

      Reply
      • valentina

        June 08, 2022 at 8:49 pm

        Thank you! I'll try it with Pecorino next. Sounds delicious. 🙂 ~Valentina

        Reply
    5. David Scott Allen

      June 07, 2022 at 9:46 am

      A perfect summer salad. I would never have thought to add figs, as they seem so dark compared to the watermelon - but I bet you that is exactly why it works so well. Contrasts! Just sent this to a friend who is obsessing over watermelon salads this summer. (Already!)

      Reply
      • valentina

        June 08, 2022 at 8:50 pm

        Thanks for sharing the recipe, David. 🙂 ~Valentina

        Reply
    6. John / Kitchen Riffs

      June 08, 2022 at 7:42 am

      Love basil with watermelon. Your recipe looks great -- so many different flavors going on. Really good stuff -- thanks.

      Reply
      • valentina

        June 08, 2022 at 8:50 pm

        Thanks so much, John. Enjoy! 🙂 ~Valentina

        Reply
    7. Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop

      June 08, 2022 at 9:00 am

      This is a perfect summer salad!

      Reply
      • valentina

        June 08, 2022 at 8:51 pm

        Thank you! 🙂 ~Valentina

        Reply
    8. Marissa

      June 08, 2022 at 11:34 am

      5 stars
      Growing up, I was one of those weirdo kids who didn't like watermelon. But as an adult, I've discovered that I love its cold, crunchy sweetness in salads. This one looks absolutely divine! Figs, feta, avocado and basil, oh my.

      Reply
      • valentina

        June 08, 2022 at 8:52 pm

        Well, I was a weirdo kid who didn't like avocados. I now adore them. 🙂 Happy you've come around on the watermelon. Thanks, Marissa, and enjoy! ~Valentina

        Reply
    9. 2pots2cook

      June 09, 2022 at 1:17 am

      5 stars
      It's so hot here! This is just perfect Valentina! Perfect lunch or dinner indeed!

      Reply
      • valentina

        June 16, 2022 at 11:24 am

        Enjoy! Thanks, Davorka. 🙂 ~Valentina

        Reply
    10. Jeff the Chef @ Make It Like a Man!

      June 11, 2022 at 8:59 am

      Thanks for the recipe! I've been seeing watermelon in the stores now, and was starting to think that it was high time I bought one. I see a salad in my future!

      Reply
      • valentina

        June 16, 2022 at 11:25 am

        Seems to me they're super sweet on the early side this year. I'll take it! Thanks for visiting, Jeff. 🙂 ~Valentina

        Reply
    11. Mimi Rippee

      August 04, 2025 at 5:56 am

      I love all salads with watermelon! Something I never thought about adding a couple of decades ago. I love what you did here - like adding dried figs! I hope all is as well as it possibly can be.
      http://www.chefmimiblog.com

      Reply
      • Valentina

        August 04, 2025 at 11:12 am

        Thank you, Mimi. I've also made this with dates. Thanks for checking it out! 🙂 ~Valentina

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Valentina, certified chef, owner, recipe developer and photographer at Cooking on the Weekends. I'm also a mom of two boys and a Los Angeleno. I use seasonal whole foods to create unique and comforting recipes for casual entertaining.

    More about me →

    REFRESHING FROZEN DESSERTS

    • Individual Coffee-Chocolate Mud Pie Recipe with Espresso-Chocolate Sauce on a pretty gold-rimmed plate with pink flowers.
      Individual Coffee-Chocolate Mud Pies
    • Top view of Strawberry Swirl No-Churn Ice Cream in a small white mug with strawberry on top.
      Strawberry Swirl Ice Cream
    • a few scoops of chocolate gelato in a white bowl
      Chocolate Gelato Recipe with Cacao Nibs
    • Close up of orange popsicle with fresh berries.
      Orange Popsicles with Fresh Berries

    POPULAR SUMMER RECIPES

    • Several grilled scallions on a white plate.
      Grilled Green Onions
    • Cream-colored ceramic bowl filled to the top with Peach Caprese Salad with drops of balsamic glaze and fresh sun flowers behind it.
      Peach Caprese Salad
    • Stack of opposing facing slices of watermelon pizza.
      Watermelon Pizza with Feta
    • Green bowl filled with fire roasted corn and half of a raw jalapeno surrounded by corn silk.
      Fire Roasted Corn with Jalapeños

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Press

    Newsletter

    Get new recipes you’ll love!

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Work with Me

    Review the privacy policy for Cooking on the Weekends

    Copyright © 2025 Cooking On The Weekends, All Rights Reserved