Description
Zesty watermelon salsa dances with fresh summer flavors, blending sweet and spicy notes in a crisp, refreshing mix. Colorful ingredients create a crowd-pleasing appetizer you’ll crave at backyard gatherings and poolside parties.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Fruits and Vegetables:
- 3 cups (710 ml) seedless watermelon, finely diced
- 1 large jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced
- 1/4 cup (40 g) finely minced red onion
Herbs and Seasoning:
- 1/3 cup (8 g) chopped fresh cilantro
- 1/4 teaspoon (1.5 g) salt, or to taste
Liquid:
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) freshly squeezed lime juice
Instructions
- Dice the watermelon into small, uniform cubes to ensure consistent texture and flavor distribution throughout the salsa.
- Finely chop the cilantro leaves, creating a fragrant and vibrant green element that will complement the sweet watermelon.
- Mince the red onion and jalapeno pepper into tiny pieces, carefully removing the jalapeno seeds to control the heat level.
- Pour freshly squeezed lime juice over the chopped ingredients, providing a tangy acidic balance to the sweet watermelon.
- Sprinkle salt evenly across the mixture, enhancing the overall flavor profile and helping to draw out natural juices.
- Gently fold and toss all ingredients together, ensuring each component is well integrated and coated with lime juice.
- Refrigerate the salsa for 30 minutes at 40°F, allowing the flavors to meld and intensify while chilling the mixture.
- Serve the salsa cold alongside crispy tortilla chips or as a refreshing topping for grilled chicken, fish, or pork.
Notes
- Customize heat levels by adjusting the amount of jalapeno, removing seeds for milder salsa or adding more for extra spiciness.
- Use fresh, ripe watermelon for the best flavor and sweetness, ensuring it’s firm and free from bruises.
- Make this salsa ahead of time and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, but add cilantro just before serving to maintain its fresh flavor and bright green color.
- Perfect as a light summer appetizer or as a refreshing accompaniment to grilled fish, chicken, or tacos for a cool, zesty kick.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 35 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 0.1 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.1 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 9 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 0.5 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg