I don’t know about you, but I love summer fruit. It’s my second favorite thing about the season (next to the sunny weather, of course!). And this dairy-free watermelon salad recipe is a unique, nutritious, and delicious way to enjoy it. You can whip it up in minutes for a refreshing snack or side dish.
Dairy-Free Watermelon Salad with Various Ingredient Options
This healthy salad recipe was originally shared with us more than a decade ago by the National Watermelon Board. We’ve since updated it with more options in the recipe, and I have some additional ingredient tips and ideas.
- Fruit Alternatives: You can use any melon, or a mix of melon cubes, in place of the fresh watermelon. We think this is delicious with honeydew, too. If you aren’t a fan of grapes, you can substitute fresh blueberries for the grapes. They provide a similar juicy “pop” to the texture and sweet-tart flavor. If you want to do a purely fruit salad, you can substitute diced apple for the celery or jicama.
- Dairy-Free Yogurt Options: Choose a plain or plain unsweetened variety of dairy-free yogurt for this vegan watermelon salad. I often use So Delicious coconut milk yogurt, because it works great in recipes and is an affordable, readily available brand. But see our Best Dairy-Free Yogurt Guide for more great brands. If you need a coconut-free option, Kite Hill Almond Yogurt is a good choice. If you do opt to use all fruit (no celery or jicama), a vanilla or fruit flavored dairy-free yogurt would also taste great.
- Nut Options: You can substitute chopped macadamia nuts, cashews, or pecans for the sliced almonds. They each meld deliciously in this dairy-free watermelon salad. I’ve also included nut-free options in the recipe.
- Other Tasty Additions: Depending on your flavor preferences, a squeeze of fresh lime juice, a sprinkle of chopped fresh mint leaves, fresh basil leaves, or some diced red onion would be delicious additions to this salad.
Serving Suggestions
As pictured, this dairy-free watermelon salad makes a great stand alone snack. But we also like it as a classic barbecue side grilled or pulled meats. It pairs well with picnic fare, including sandwiches or dairy-free fried chicken. For breakfast, I would use jicama or apple instead of celery, and add dairy-free granola.
Special Diets Notes: Watermelon Salad
By ingredients, this recipe is dairy-free / non-dairy, egg-free, gluten-free, grain-free, optionally nut-free, peanut-free, soy-free, optionally added sugar-free, optionally oil-free, optionally paleo, plant-based, vegan, and vegetarian. Just be sure to choose a dairy-free yogurt that suits your dietary needs.
Dairy-Free Watermelon Salad
Ingredients
Method
- Add the watermelon, celery or jicama, and grapes to a medium-bowl. Gently stir to combine.
- Whisk the salt into the yogurt.
- Add the yogurt to the fruit salad and stir to coat.
- Sprinkle with the almonds and serve.
- This salad is best served fresh, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days.
Nutrition
Notes
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Also Try this Dairy-Free Tropical Fruit Salad!
