Ingredient Fruit Melon Watermelon Watermelon Caprese Salad 5.0 (1) 1 Review This refreshing twist on the classic caprese salad replaces tomatoes with sweet, juicy watermelon. Basil and balsamic vinegar push this easy summer salad to the savory side, but if you want some sweeter notes, opt for balsamic glaze. An optional drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil at the end helps marry the flavors. By Carolyn Casner Carolyn Casner Carolyn Casner is a longtime recipe tester and contributor for EatingWell. Over the years, she has tested and developed hundreds of recipes for the magazine and website. EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines Updated on October 25, 2024 Reviewed by Dietitian Christa Brown, M.S., RDN, LD Reviewed by Dietitian Christa Brown, M.S., RDN, LD Christa Brown is a registered dietitian and business owner with a practice focus on diabetes management and content development for brands and fitness influencers. She is a licensed dietitian with a Master of Science in Nutrition Education and a certification in gut health by the Institute of Integrative Nutrition. EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines Save Rate PRINT Share Close Prep Time: 15 mins Total Time: 15 mins Servings: 6 Yield: 6 servings Nutrition Profile: Low-Carb Nut-Free Soy-Free Vegetarian Egg-Free Gluten-Free Jump to Nutrition Facts Jump to recipe Sweet watermelon stands in for tomatoes in this Watermelon Caprese Salad. Cool and crisp, the watermelon is complemented by creamy fresh mozzarella. Herby basil brings subtle sweet notes while the complex tangy-sweet flavors of balsamic vinegar tie everything together. Keep reading for expert tips, including how to make your own balsamic glaze. Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too! You can purchase balsamic glaze in well-stocked supermarkets or make it yourself. Simply boil 1 cup of balsamic vinegar in a small saucepan over medium-high heat until it's reduced to about 1/4 cup, about 10 to 14 minutes. Let it cool before using, and then refrigerate the rest for later use (it will last a few weeks).Adding 1/4 teaspoon of salt will enhance the sweet flavor of the watermelon.This salad is best enjoyed right after assembly. However, you can do some prepping the day before with the mozzarella, watermelon and basil, storing each in separate containers in the fridge.You can buy mozzarella pearls, so you don't have to cut up a mozzarella ball. Nutrition Notes If you're looking for ways to increase hydration, watermelon should be one of your go-to fruits. Besides water, watermelon also provides some vitamin C, which supports immunity, and a little bit of vitamin A for eye health. Its gorgeous pink color comes from the antioxidant lycopene, which reduces inflammation, supports a healthy heart and reduces cancer risk. Balsamic vinegar is rich in antioxidants and antimicrobial compounds that may leave you with glowing skin. And while it contains antimicrobials, it also contains probiotics—beneficial bacteria that colonize your gut and help improve digestion and overall health. Preventing blood sugar spikes is important, and balsamic vinegar may help with that, too. Including herbs and spices, like basil, in your diet adds small amounts of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals each time you eat them. Over time, this can add up to some big health benefits when eaten regularly, including reducing inflammation. Like all cheese, mozzarella provides muscle-building protein and bone-supporting calcium. Fresh mozzarella is one of the lower-sodium cheeses, making it a great option for those watching their sodium intake. Mozzarella also contains probiotics for a healthy gut. Cook Mode (Keep screen awake) Ingredients 4 ounces fresh mozzarella, cut into 1/2-inch pieces ¼ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon ground pepper 4 cups cubed seedless watermelon ¼ cup thinly sliced fresh basil 1 tablespoon best-quality balsamic vinegar or balsamic glaze (see Tip) 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil (Optional) Directions Stir 4 ounces mozzarella, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper together in a medium bowl. Add 4 cups watermelon and 1/4 cup basil; toss to combine. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar (or glaze) and 1 tablespoon olive oil (if desired). Frequently Asked Questions How do you choose a sweet-tasting watermelon? Choose a watermelon that's evenly shaped with smooth skin and a hint of yellow somewhere on it. The melon should feel heavy for its size; when tapped gently with the palm of the hand, it should sound hollow. If all these points are met, rest assured, you have chosen well. What can you do with leftover watermelon? It makes an irresistible snack, but you can add it to smoothies or make our Watermelon Juice, cocktail, ice pops, sorbet, salsa and gazpacho. You can grill it with chile-lime seasoning. If you can't decide what to do with it right away, Make sure to pop it in the fridge with the cut side of the watermelon wrapped well with cling wrap or store the cut pieces in an airtight container in the fridge, where it should be good for up to 5 days. You can also freeze watermelon in an airtight bag for up to 8 months. What should you serve with Watermelon Caprese Salad? When a light meal is in order, this salad and crusty bread are satisfying enough. However, it is also a natural pairing for nearly everything you toss on the grill, such as chicken, steak, seafood or burgers. It goes great with pasta too. EatingWell.com, July 2020 Save Rate Print Nutrition Facts (per serving) 89 Calories 4g Fat 9g Carbs 5g Protein Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label Nutrition Facts Servings Per Recipe 6 Serving Size 3/4 cup Calories 89 % Daily Value * Total Carbohydrate 9g 3% Dietary Fiber 1g 2% Total Sugars 7g Protein 5g 10% Total Fat 4g 5% Saturated Fat 2g 11% Cholesterol 12mg 4% Vitamin A 827IU 17% Vitamin C 9mg 9% Folate 9mcg 2% Sodium 225mg 10% Calcium 143mg 11% Iron 0mg 2% Magnesium 17mg 4% Potassium 159mg 3% Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate. * Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.) (-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs. Additional reporting by Carrie Myers, M.S. Carrie Myers, M.S. Carrie Myers is a portfolio entrepreneur with more than 30 years of experience in the health and wellness space. As a writer and editor, Carrie has worked for both consumer and trade print and online publications. She's been quoted in several articles as a health and fitness expert. Carrie is also a certified life and wellness coach and exercise physiologist, and the founder of CarrieMichele Co., a lifestyle company that helps women create lives they love where they can be authentic. EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines and Linda Frahm Linda Frahm Linda Frahm has been a copy editor and fact checker working with food and nutrition content for the past 30-plus years for consumer print and online publications. EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines