My Vegan Watermelon Basil Salad is an easy and healthy plant-based recipe that's made with only 7 fresh, real food ingredients and it pairs well with my Fresh Basil Vinaigrette for the perfect summertime meal that's ready in less than 10 minutes!
Real Vegan Method™ Recipe
This recipe is part of the Real Vegan Method™...a simple step-by-step way to move beyond processed vegan foods and become a confident Real Food Vegan.
Why You'll Love This Watermelon Basil Salad!
My top 3 favorite reasons:
- It's Naturally Gluten-Free + Vegan: this healthy plant-based recipe is 100% gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan - not even fake dairy or tofu!
- It's Hydrating, Fresh and Perfect for Summer: watermelon is rich in electrolytes and water, making this salad perfect for hot summer days!
- Ready in About 10 Minutes: minimal prep, no cooking, and only 7 clean real food ingredients make this a quick and easy recipe for any day of the week!
Karielyn
Jump to RecipeToday, I have to share with you my Vegan Watermelon Basil Salad with Fresh Basil Vinaigrette recipe as a follow up to my last recipe post.
In my last post, I shared with you a super easy Fresh Basil Vinaigrette that is ready in less than 5 minutes, and now, you have the perfect, delicious salad to go with it!
It's a cross between slightly sweet and tangy - with sweetness coming from the watermelon and tangy coming from the apple cider vinegar in the vinaigrette.
And there's just something magical about the watermelon + basil combination...you should give it a try if you've never had the two together!
Light and refreshing, it's just the kind of quick salad you need during the hot summer months.
You can feel good about making my recipe because it's plant-based, gluten-free, vegan, soy-free, tofu-free, dairy-free, nut-free, paleo-friendly, alkaline, and has no refined sugar.
"Feel good about what you eat..."
- Karielyn Tillman
Ingredients
Here are the healthy, real food ingredients I used to make this recipe. Try to buy organic if possible.
Key Ingredients
- Watermelon
- Spring Salad Mix
- Fresh Basil
- Avocado Oil
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Garlic
- Himalayan Pink Salt
Why This Recipe is Healthy
Here are "5 Fast Facts" of the primary ingredients in this recipe so:
- You know what is in the food you are eating
- You know that the ingredients are nutrient-dense and are nourishing your body
- You will feel good about what you eat
Watermelon: 1 cup contains 16.4% vitamin C; provides anti-inflammatory benefits; excellent antioxidant; excellent source of potassium; natural diuretic and electrolyte*
Basil: 2 teaspoons provide 60% dv of vitamin K; 2 teaspoons provide 5.9% dv of calcium; provides anti-inflammatory benefits; good for digestive tract health; antioxidant and anti-bacterial*
Avocado Oil: healthier cooking with smoke point of 500 degrees; may help reduce the risk of metabolic syndrome; helps maintain healthy blood sugar levels; provides protection from cardiovascular disease; good source of vitamin E*
Apple Cider Vinegar: anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal; maintains proper pH balance in the body; regulates blood pressure; helps to reduce bad cholesterol; loaded with potassium*
Garlic: regulates blood sugar levels; lowers high blood pressure; contains anti-bacterial and analgesic properties; anti-viral; helps to lower cholesterol levels*
Himalayan Pink Salt: contains 84 minerals; unrefined, unprocessed, raw; promotes stable pH balance in cells; controls water levels in the body; aids digestion and facilitates better nutrient absorption*
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
How To Make Vegan Watermelon Basil Salad
Step-by-Step Instructions
Here's how to make this recipe and I'll show you how easy it is with these step-by-step instructions below.
- Step 1: Prep the watermelon by cutting it into small, cubed pieces, and chopping the basil into thin strips, then set aside.
- Step 2: Prepare the Basil Vinaigrette by adding all the ingredients to a Vitamix, or other blender, and blend until it's well combined and smooth. Taste and adjust the seasonings to your preference.
- Step 3: Assemble the salad by adding the salad greens, watermelon, and chopped basil to your serving dishes.
- Step 4: Drizzle the vinaigrette over each salad and gently toss everything together.
- Step 5: Serve immediately or chill for about 10-15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and then serve cold.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! My recipe is minimal and basic (even though it still tastes great with the dressing!) but you can add other ingredients such as:
1. Red Onions
2. Diced Cucumbers
3. Wild Blueberries
4. Chickpeas
5. Quinoa
6. Hemp Seeds
7. Cherry Tomatoes
8. Diced Jalapenos
9. Pinch of Red Pepper Flakes
10. Diced Avocados
11. Sliced Strawberries
12. Splash of Balsamic Vinegar
Use my recipe as a starter and customize it with whatever you're in the mood for or have on hand!
Yes, typically "Watermelon Basil Salads" are made with feta cheese.
However, my Vegan Watermelon Basil Salad is 100% vegan and dairy-free and does not contain cheese - even faux vegan "feta".
Yes! Just prep the ingredients separately and combine them together right before serving to avoid the salad becoming soggy.
Once all the ingredients have been mixed together, it's best to serve within the first 24 hours.
However, if you prep it in advance and keep all the ingredients separate before serving, you can store it in an airtight BPA-free container for 2-3 days in the refrigerator.
You can, but....you won't get the same flavor as if you used fresh basil.
It really does make a difference so try to make this recipe when you have an abundance of fresh summer basil or pick some up at the grocery store.
Karielyn's Expert Tips
Cooking Tips
- Use very cold watermelon, not room temperature, for the freshest and crispest texture.
- Chop the basil right before serving to prevent browning.
- Don't overdress the salad because watermelon releases water as it sits and everything will become soggy.
- Serve immediately for best texture or store the ingredients separately if you will serve later.
- For best presentation, use seedless watermelon.
Ingredient Substitutions
Salad Mix: I like to use an organic spring mix but feel free to use your favorite salad lettuce. For example, arugula or chopped romaine are good choices.
Basil: For best results, fresh basil works best to bring out the refreshing flavor.
Watermelon: I like to cut mine into small cubes and I find it tastes best when the watermelon is chilled so try to cut the watermelon after it's been in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours if you like yours chilled too.
Avocado Oil: This can be substituted with extra-virgin olive oil.
Himalayan Pink Salt: This is my salt of preference, however, feel free to use your favorite sea salt.
Struggling To Eat Vegan Without Relying on Processed Ingredients?
If you rely on packaged vegan food and ingredients or feel overwhelmed trying to eat healthier, this recipe shows how easy real food vegan meals can be...without sacrificing flavor or comfort.
The Method Behind All My Recipes
If you love clean, real food vegan recipes like this one, you'll love the method behind them.
The Real Vegan Method™ 14-Day Reset helps you:
- Move beyond processed vegan substitutes
- Cook with clean, real food ingredients
- Make plant-based eating simple + consistent
All my recipes - including this one- are based on the Real Vegan Method™.
Watermelon Basil Salad with Fresh Basil Vinaigrette
Equipment
- Vitamix (or other blender)
Ingredients
For the salad:
- 2-4 cups organic spring salad mix
- 2 cups organic watermelon (cubed)
- 8 leaves organic fresh basil (cut into thin strips)
For the vinaigrette:
- ½ cup fresh organic basil leaves
- ¼ cup 100% pure avocado oil
- ¼ cup organic apple cider vinegar
- 1 clove organic garlic
- ¼ teaspoon Himalayan pink salt
Optional add-ins:
- red onions, diced cucumbers, wild blueberries, a splash of balsamic vinegar, sliced strawberries, avocadoes, diced jalapenos
Instructions
Prepare the vinaigrette:
- Add all ingredients for the vinaigrette to a Vitamix, or other blender, and blend until it's well combined and smooth. Adjust seasonings to your preference.
Prepare the salad:
- Cut the watermelon into small, cubed pieces.
- Chop the fresh basil into long strips.
- Add 1-2 large handfuls of spring salad mix (or lettuce of your choice) to your serving plate(s).
- Sprinkle the watermelon cubes and chopped basil on top of the salad mix and drizzle with the basil vinaigrette.
- Enjoy!
Recipe Notes
Nutrition Information
Copyright Notice
The instructions, notes, and photographs for this recipe by Karielyn Tillman of The Healthy Family and Home™ website are copyrighted material. This copyrighted work is protected and licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial No Derivatives 4.0 International License and the Digital Millenium Copyright Act (DMCA) and cannot be legally used without my written permission.
More Healthy Vegan Watermelon Recipes
- Spicy Watermelon Salsa
- Watermelon Vinaigrette
- Chocolate Covered Watermelon Slices with Sea Salt
- or my Real Vegan Method™ 14-Day Reset with 42 plant-based vegan + gluten-free recipes made with clean, real food ingredients just like this one that you will love!
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