This delicious and refreshing watermelon salsa is full of bold flavors. Fresh-cut watermelon, jalapeño, red onion, cilantro, and zesty lime juice make the perfect appetizer.

This post contains affiliate links, please read my full disclaimer here.

Full Recipe Ingredients/Instructions are available in the
recipe card at the bottom of the post.
You can find important tips/tricks in the
blog post.

As someone who loves summer flavors and watermelon, I just had to make this salsa. I developed this recipe because I bought a watermelon, ate most of it as a snack, and had some leftovers. I looked at the watermelon, looked at my family, and said, “I’m making salsa.” They responded with looks of confusion, but once I made it and everyone ate it, everyone loved it.

This watermelon salsa recipe includes jalapeño, cilantro, and red onion for flavor and crunch. A tasty twist on traditional salsa. It does not use tomatoes but uses watermelon as the main ingredient. It’s a refreshing twist on the classic chunky salsa recipe.

If you like salsa recipes, try my blender salsa or black bean salsa recipe.

Ingredients Needed

Fresh watermelon – diced into small cubes, seedless or seeds removed.
Vegetables and Herbs – Jalapeño (seeds and membrane removed for less spice), Red onion, fresh Cilantro.
Seasonings – Lime juice, chili powder, and salt.

ingredients for watermelon salsa on wooden cutting board

How to make Watermelon Salsa

Dice your watermelon, red onions, and jalapeno.

Finely chop the cilantro.

Add these ingredients to a bowl—season with lime juice, chili powder, and salt. Stir to combine. Taste and adjust the amount of salt to your preference.

watermelon salsa ingredients in a wooden bowl before mixing

watermelon salsa ingredients in bowl, mixed, with spatula mixing it

Serve at room temperature (or chilled). Enjoy!

How to serve Watermelon Salsa

This salsa has so many uses. I like to use it in ways you typically would use pico de gallo. Serve it these ways:

A side for grilled fish, jerk fish, chicken, or shrimp.
As a salsa with tortilla chips on the side.
A topping for your favorite taco recipe.
In a burrito bowl or wrapped in a burrito.
A fruit side for breakfast.

Storage Options and How Long It Will Last

Watermelon salsa is best when eaten immediately. It can also be stored in the fridge in a sealed container for 2-3 days. I do not recommend freezing the salsa.

To prepare in advance, chop ingredients ahead of time (1-2 days) and store them separately in the fridge. Combine them just before serving to keep the salsa crisp and fresh.

watermelon salsa in bowl with cilantro in front

Variations

You can change your watermelon salsa by adding fruits like mango or pineapple, veggies like cucumber or bell pepper, or a combination of the above. Mixing things up with different ingredients can give your salsa a unique flavor.

Common Questions

Is watermelon salsa spicy? You can adjust the level of spice to your preference. Remove the seeds and membrane from the jalapeño if you prefer a milder salsa.

Can I use a different type of pepper instead of jalapeño? Yes, you can use serrano pepper, habanero pepper, or any other pepper you choose. Just be mindful of the heat level and adjust the amount accordingly.

watermelon salsa in bowl with chips sticking out

I hope you enjoy this watermelon salsa as much as we do. If you too need to use up a watermelon and need watermelon recipes, here are a few you will enjoy:

If you tried this recipe, please rate it and let me know how it turned out in the comments below! Your feedback is greatly appreciated and helps others find and enjoy this recipe.

Print Pin Save

5 from 1 vote

Watermelon Salsa

This delicious and refreshing watermelon salsa is full of bold flavors. Made with fresh-cut watermelon, jalapeño, red onion, cilantro, and zesty lime juice, it's the perfect appetizer.

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American

Keyword watermelon salsa, watermelon salsa recipe

Prep Time 10

Total Time 10

Servings people

Calories 32kcal

Author Tanya

Ingredients

3 Cups cubed, diced fresh watermelon
⅓ cup chopped cilantro
⅓ cup diced red onions
⅓ cup diced jalapeno seeds and membrane removed
½ teaspoon Chilli Powder
¼ teaspoon Salt or to taste
1 The juice of 1 Lime about 2 Tablespoons

Instructions

Add watermelon, cilantro, red onions, and jalapeño into a large bowl. Add chili powder, salt, and lime juice. Mix.
Serve at room temperature (or chilled).

Notes

This salsa can be served as soon as it’s made, or let chill in the fridge for at least an hour.
Modify the amount of heat by removing the seeds and membrane of the jalapeño. If you want more spice, use a hotter pepper or leave a bit of the membrane on the jalapeño while dicing it.

Nutrition

My Southern Air Fryer ECookbookFind all my Top Southern Air Fryer recipes in one place! My Southern Air Fryer ECookbook!

Subscribe to my YouTubeSubscribe to my YouTube Channel for full length recipe videos. Click the bell icon to be notified when I upload a new video.

Tried this recipe? Share on InstagramMention @Myforkinglife or tag #myforkinglife!

Although myforkinglife.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and the way ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe. Under no circumstances will myforkinglife.com be responsible for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information.