Got the grill going this weekend? My Grilled Watermelon with Cherry Balsamic Salsa is a simple yet stunning addition to your summer spread.

Bursting with sweet-savory flavor thanks to the season’s best produce, this creative fruit salad is a family favorite for backyard cookouts and pool parties. Plus, with simple, fresh ingredients, it fits with Paleo, Whole30, Vegetarian, Vegan and Mediterranean diets.

First, for this grilled watermelon recipe (really could call it a cherry watermelon salad), start with an approximate 2” thick slice of watermelon from a big ‘un so it can be cut into wedges and served your guests family-style! Or, multiple slices from a personal-sized watermelon is another idea and everyone gets an entire round piece. 

Next is to grill the watermelon briefly on both sides to start caramelizing the natural sugars and get those nice grate marks. Gas, charcoal both works well – as does a simple grill pan for indoor cooking.

On top, the grilled watermelon salad features a simple fruit salsa featuring cherries, green onions, and red onion and a little balsamic syrup, lime juice and avocado oil. Pro tips: Use a mixture of Bing cherries and Rainier cherries to have variety in color. Also, if following Whole30 make sure you read the nutrition label of your Balsamic Syrup (or could be called Glaze or Reduction) to ensure that there is no added sugar. Otherwise you can make your own by letting balsamic vinegar simmer on the stovetop until thickened and liquid volume reduce in half.

This is such a beautiful watermelon cherry salad for all your summer entertaining needs. Of course, a finish with fresh basil from the garden makes it sing summer even more. I like to plate it family style with a pie wedge, almost so that it looks like a pizza! You could also serve wedges on individual plates with the cherry relish sprinkle over each piece rather than mounded in the center.

If desired, you could also add feta cheese or blue cheese crumbles to this recipe for Grilled Watermelon with Cherry Balsamic Salsa. Enjoy!

5 from 4 votes

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Grilled Watermelon with Cherry Balsamic Salsa

Prep Time

10 mins

Cook Time

6 mins

Total Time

16 mins

 

Grilled Watermelon with Cherry Balsamic Salsa is a delightful summer salad perfect for your backyard cookout or picnic. This creative fruit salad works for Paleo, Whole 30, vegetarian and vegan diets.

Course: entree salad, side

Keyword: balsamic, cherries, cherry, grilling, watermelon

Servings: 8 servings

Calories: 123 kcal

Ingredients

• 1 2 ” thick sliced watermelon cross-section approx. 10 to 12” diameter
• Coarse sea salt
• ½ cup pitted, chopped Bing cherries
• ½ cup pitted, chopped Rainier cherries
• ¼ cup chopped red onion
• ¼ cup chopped green onion, whites and tops
• 2 tablespoons balsamic syrup aka glaze or reduction – divided
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 1 tablespoon avocado oil
• 2 tablespoons shredded fresh basil

Instructions

1. Heat gas or charcoal grill to approximate 400F degrees. Or, heat grill pan on stove top to medium-high heat.
2. Place watermelon cross-section to grill and grill for approximately 3 minutes each side until natural sugars beginning to caramelize enough to see grate marks. Remove from grill and season to taste with sea salt. Set aside.
3. Toss together cherries, red onion and green onion and dress by stirring in 1 tablespoon of the balsamic syrup (reserve other 1 tablespoon for drizzle), lime juice, and avocado oil.
4. Slice grilled watermelon into 8 wedges. Pile cherry salsa in middle of grilled watermelon.
5. Drizzle remaining 1 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar over watermelon and sprinkle with shredded basil.
6. Leftovers may be stored in fridge for 2 days.