Published: Jun 22, 2020 · Modified: Mar 4, 2021 by Angela · This post may contain affiliate links · 44 Comments

Watermelon Pico de Gallo (salsa)

Name: Watermelon Pico de Gallo (salsa)
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 3 cup watermelon (small dice); 1/2 cup yellow or orange bell peppers (finely diced); 1/3 cup onion (finely diced); 2 small jalapenos (finely diced, (seeds and membranes removed optional)); 1/2 cup cilantro (chopped); 3 TBSP lime or lemon juice; 1/4 tsp salt; 1/8 tsp black pepper

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Pico de gallo is a fresh salsa commonly used with Mexican cuisine. 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.

During summer, the most popular fresh ingredient in my house is always watermelon so we have a lot of from May to September. This is why I am always looking for new delicious ways to enjoy. 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

This easy recipe for watermelon pico de gallo 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.

chips & watermelon salsa

How to Make Watermelon Pico de Gallo

Start with either a personal size or 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
Onion
Jalapeno Peppers
Sweet Bell Peppers
Cilantro
Citrus juice (lemons or limes)
Salt & Pepper

Ingredients for Watermelon Pico del Gallo (salsa)

Cut the 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 for 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

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. I had two small lemons so I used a little over a whole one for this recipe. During "shelter in place", not all produce was easy to find and on my latest run there were no limes but the lemon was just as great. 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 gently stir and I also seasoned 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.

Serve with chips

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