Watermelon pico de gallo is a sweet, spicy, & juicy salsa that will be your new summer favorite. It is amazing with chips but even better on fish tacos. There is no limit to how many ways you can enjoy this homemade fruit salsa.
This watermelon salsa has wonderful fresh summer flavors. Serve this at any picnic, BBQ, potluck, or party. It is colorful and goes great with other crowd-pleasers like ahi poke nachos or teriyaki chicken skewers.
Pico de gallo is a fresh salsa commonly used in Mexican cuisine and this watermelon salsa will be your new favorite. What is not common, is making it from watermelon instead of tomatoes. It is traditionally made with tomatoes, onions, peppers, cilantro, and lime. In this refreshing version, the sweet watermelon balances the pungent onions, spicy peppers, and the fresh kick from the lime and cilantro.
This easy watermelon pico de gallo recipe is the summer salsa for all your fun Mexican cravings. I love it on tacos or with just chips. However you wish to enjoy it, the colors, flavors, and ease of this recipe will make you want this part of your normal rotation.
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How to Make Watermelon Pico de Gallo
Start with either a personal size or a large watermelon. We typically buy the seedless but whatever variety you prefer will work just fine. The key to this watermelon salsa Fresca is that the ingredients be fresh.
Since it is a raw recipe and no cooking is needed, quality ingredients at their peak are important. For the most part, this recipe is all about your chopping skills.
Ingredients Needed for Watermelon Pico de Gallo (salsa)
- Watermelon - a seedless variety works best & makes prepping easy.
- Onion - for that pungent bite.
- Jalapeno Peppers - for spiciness.
- Sweet Bell Peppers - color & crunch.
- Cilantro - the classic fresh herb for pico de gallo & salsas.
- Citrus juice (lemons or limes)
- Salt & Pepper
How to Make Watermelon Salsa
Here are the easy steps to making pico de gallo & fruit salsas at home:
- Dice the Produce
- Combine the Ingredients
- Serve Watermelon Pico de Gallo
1 - Dice the Produce
Cut the seedless watermelon into small dice, you do want them to be smaller than bite-sized, or else the chips or tacos will be full of large chunks of watermelon and nothing else.
Also, dice the onions and sweet bell peppers.
I like to seed and remove the membranes for one of the jalapenos so that the pico de gallo is not super spicy. Doing this to only one jalapeno makes it just right for our family's heat tolerance. You can do whatever you like and have all the insides for more heat or none at all for all mild all the time.
DON'T FORGET TO WASH YOUR HANDS REALLY GOOD AFTER HANDLING AND DICING THE JALAPENO PEPPERS -- the last thing you want to accidentally do is touch your eyes after that. OUCH
2 - Combine the Ingredients
Once everything is diced and in a medium-sized bowl, juice the lemons or limes. Depending on your size, you may need one or two. Pour the juice over the ingredients and toss lightly to coat.
Nice I finely diced the fresh cilantro leaves and sprinkled that on top. Followed by one final gentle stir and I also seasoned it with salt and pepper.
Optional, a sprinkle of Tajin or cumin if you have that to your liking. The great thing about fresh salsas like this pico de gallo is you can experiment and make it your own.
3 - Serve Watermelon Pico de Gallo
This recipe is best enjoyed fresh on the same day it is made. Serve it on a buffet with chips, tacos, & nachos. It is a great summer party appetizer along with some cocktails like a Pina Colada on the Rocks or Texas Ranch Water.
Substitutions or Variations
Sometimes you cannot find an ingredient or need to use an alternate due to allergies or dietary needs. Here are some ingredient substitutions or variations that work for this watermelon salsa recipe.
- Onion - use red, white, or yellow onion.
- Lemon - use lime juice instead.
- Extra Spicy - double the number of jalapenos and/or do not remove the seeds or membranes.
- Cilantro - omit if you are not a fan (and want salsa without cilantro) and replace it with another fresh herb like flat-leaf parsley.
Watermelon is one of the most common fruits without seeds. Other fruits can be added for a combination of salsa - try mango or pineapple.
What Goes Well with Watermelon Salsa
As mentioned this fruit salsa is great as an appetizer dip served with tortilla chips. It is also great as a topping on tacos, quesadillas, or tamales. Also, add it to burritos.
It is fantastic with grilled chicken thighs, fish, or pork. Also, serve it with chips as a side with sandwiches like toaster oven grilled cheese or a classic Philly Cheesesteak.
Storing Watermelon Salsa
This fresh salsa stores well in the refrigerator. Place any leftovers in an air-tight container and store them in the fridge for up to 5 days. I would not store it any longer since the watermelon will get mushy and soft.
I do not recommend freezing salsa. It does not hold up well when frozen or thawed to use later. I recommend eating watermelon salsa when it is fresh.
Other Watermelon Recipes
During summer, the most popular fresh ingredient in my house is always watermelon so we have a lot of it from May to September. This is why I am always looking for new delicious ways to enjoy. Buy a big one & learn how to freeze watermelon to enjoy later.
This is probably why I already have several amazing watermelon recipes on the blog. So if you love watermelon, you may want to check out these refreshing, fun, and unique recipes:
WATERMELON MINT MARTINI RECIPE
MEXICAN WATERMELON CUCUMBER SALAD WITH TAJIN
Product Recommendations for this Recipe:
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Watermelon Pico de Gallo (salsa)
Ingredients
- 3 cup watermelon small dice
- ½ cup yellow or orange bell peppers finely diced
- ⅓ cup onion finely diced
- 2 small jalapenos finely diced, (seeds and membranes removed optional)
- ½ cup cilantro chopped
- 3 tablespoon lime or lemon juice
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Chop and dice the first 5 ingredients as listed.
- In a medium-sized bowl, add the ingredients and gently stir to combine.
- Juice the citrus and pour over the bowl of ingredients.
- Add cilantro, salt, and pepper. Mix gently to combine.
- Serve immediately with chips or use it to top seafood tacos.
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Myrka says
Never would have thought about this! Sounds delicious! Especially since I usually already put spicy seasoning on my watermelon, this will probably taste similar.
Angela says
Oh me too! I do sprinkle some tajin on this when I put it on tacos! Wow, so much flavor for a fruit salsa.
Beth Shields says
This looks amazing. I love new and refreshing picos and salsas. I bet this would be great with fish. But the chips will do just fine! Thanks so much for this. Pinning this recipe for sure!
Angela says
It is so amazing with shrimp tacos. The recipe is actually coming soon to the blog so keep your eyes out so you don't miss it!
Angella Jensen says
YUM! I am going to make that next weekend. It looks delicious
Angela says
Let me know what you think and would love to hear what you serve it with.
Eva Keller says
What a great concept for a salsa! My husband would love this. I would eat it without the cilantro and jalapeno. I can't do anything spicy and I can't eat cilantro.
Angela says
One of the great things about this recipe is how you can alter it a bit to your liking and still have a great bowl of pico de Gallo with sweet watermelon and tons of other flavors.
Sabrina DeWalt says
I pinned this one. Sounds delicious! Can't wait to make it.
Angela says
Thank you for saving to Pinterest.
Beth says
What a delicious mix of sweet, savory and spicy this salsa would be. I'm on the lookout for a watermelon on my next shopping trip - I have everything else on the list.
Angela says
Enjoy the watermelon salsa recipe and let me know what you pair it with, thanks.
Heather says
Ooh I love this! My son loves watermelon and I love salsa, and this recipe might be the perfect thing to bring it all together and finally get him on board with eating Mexican!
Angela says
Great, maybe make a mother-son date night and indulge in some Mexican cuisine with this Watermelon Salsa!
Roselyn Franke says
Pinned it and going to try it as well!
Angela says
Thanks for adding the watermelon pico de gallo to your Pinterest boards!
Alexis Farmer says
I’m not a big fan of regular Pico but I would definitely try this!
Angela says
Trying a new salsa or pico de gallo recipe is always a great thing to do
Sarah Camp says
Yum! What a great take on a traditional pico de gallo - I'll definitely have to try this!
Angela says
If you don't eat it all immediately, get this watermelon salsa on some grilled fish or shrimp tacos for an amazing summer idea.
Jennifer L Markell says
Perfect timing! I was wondering what to do with this huge watermelon when there is only two of us in the house! Thanks!
Angela says
Great, we have that HUGE watermelon problem sometimes - which is a great problem to have in summer!
Emily says
Looks delish! Thanks for sharing!
Angela says
You are welcome.
Dee | Grammy's Grid says
Thanks so much for linking up with me at my #UnlimitedMonthlyLinkParty 13, open June 1 to 26. All party entries shared if social media buttons installed.
Sara says
What an awesome take on pico. I also love watermelon so will definitely have to give this a try!
Judean says
Honestly, I am not a huge watermelon fan. However, I think I may be able to get behind this! I think used as a salsa with a little heat may be what I need. Thanks for sharing!
Angela says
You never know what may change your mind about watermelon and this could be it.
Carrie Beaton says
I've never thought of putting watermelon in a salsa before. I bet the sweet and salty contrast is amazing! Thanks for sharing!
Angela says
Watermelon salsa is a great combo of sweet and spicy.
Kate - Gluten Free Alchemist says
OMG. This sounds incredible. Pinned x
#BloggersPitStop
Annette says
What a fabulous idea!! Who would have thought about watermelon for salsa. This will be a great holiday summer treat this weekend.
Angela says
Enjoy! I hope this fruit salsa is a great addition to your Independence day holiday menu!
Tara says
This sounds absolutely delicious! I love watermelon and jalapeños togethers...so why not a salsa?!
Dee | Grammy's Grid says
CONGRATS! Your post is FEATURED at my #UnlimitedMonthlyLinkParty 14, open July 1 to 26. All entries shared if social media buttons are installed.
Angela says
Wonderful, thanks so much Dee!
Liz says
Yummm, cilantro and watermelon.
Anindya Sundar Basu says
We made watermelon salad with tomato few days ago and this is on the same lines. Love the salsa.
Ai says
YUM! I love the combination of sweet, tangy, salty, and spicy so this salsa's got my name all over it!
Nart at Cooking with Nart says
Looks so good! I prefer watermelon to tomato!
Angela says
My boys eat so much watermelon that they prefer it too in a salsa.
Alpa says
This looks like an easy to make side dish and kids will love it too.
Angela says
My kids love watermelon salsa and I think yours will too.
Lathiya says
I love watermelon and this pica de gallo with it sounds interesting.
Cathy says
Really good and shared this recipe a few times already with friends. It is not too spicy so it is just right for us but if you like spicy add extra jalapeno and keep the seeds or something. You cannot go wrong with this if you love fruit salsa.
Angela says
Thanks for the comment and for sharing.