Gotta say – this watermelon pineapple salad completely flipped my summer entertaining game. Made it last weekend when it was up to 90° and everyone wanted the recipe! The sweet bits of juicy watermelon interspersed with the tart chunks of pineapple just create this delicious flavor explosion that is basically summer in a bowl. This combination is the most easily predictable, but believe me, there is magic when these two fruits join in. Great for BBQs, pool parties, or any warm day when you need a cool down! Keep reading and see how simple it is to throw this crowd-pleaser together!
Why You’ll Love This Watermelon Pineapple Salad
Well, first of all, this recipe is the answer to that age-old question, what do I bring to a summer potluck? This takes like 15 mins to throw together and doesn’t even involve turning an oven on (a massive win when the temperature is hitting a million degrees outside)!
I developed this watermelon pineapple salad last July when my AC broke and I needed something refreshing to serve with grilled chicken. The kids ate it up before dinner was even done! Now, when temps are high, it’s our go-to.
The best part? You can personalize it however you’d like. For bonus freshness, throw in some mint; for additional savory, feta; for some sweetness, maybe a little honey if you’ve got a sweet tooth. Works really well as a side dish but frankly I’ve also had this for breakfast. Let’s get into the details!
What is in the Best Watermelon Pineapple Salad Recipe?
Main Ingredients
6 cups watermelon (about half of a medium watermelon) — get seedless if you can find it, it just makes the prep so much easier
3 cups fresh pineapple chunks – fresh is so much better than canned here but you can sub in canned in a pinch
1/4 cup roughly chopped fresh mint leaves (optional) – adds great freshness but don’t stress if you don’t have any
- Add 2 tbsp of lime juice – binds everything, can use lemon juice as well
Optional Add-ins
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese – this salty/sweet combo is so good
1/4 cup red onion rings – provides good bite and color contrast
1 barely seeded, minced jalapeño– for those who like things spicy.
2tbsp honey or agave – if your fruits are not super sweet
Pinch sea salt – makes everything better!
To get the best results, choose a ripe watermelon (you know it’s ripe if you see a yellow spot where it sat on the ground) and a pineapple that smells fruity at the base. Unripe fruit doesn’t do any kind of salad any good, no matter what else you add.
If you’re preparing this for someone on a dairy-restricted diet, just omit the feta or consider using toasted coconut flakes in its place, for that hint of creaminess.
How to Make Watermelon Pineapple Salad
Step 1: Prep Your Fruits
Cut a watermelon into cubes that are 1-inch in size. Try to make the size roughly similar so it looks beautiful. Remove any seeds you find.
Remove core and slice pineapple into even pieces than spears. If you’re using pre-cut pineapple, you can give it a quick rinse to remove excess juice.
Drain your freshly cut fruit (about 5 mins)in colander so it does not make the salad soggy.
Step 2: Mix It Together
Place watermelon and pineapple in a large bowl. Gently toss so as not to mush the fruit.
If you are using mint, tear or roughly chop leaves (you don’t want to chop it too finely or it will turn dark).
Drizzle lime juice over fruit and toss once more.
Go ahead and let it sit in your fridge for a good 10 minutes – the flavors are so much better after they’ve melded for a bit.
Step 3: Final Touches
Right before serving, fold in any add-ins you choose (like feta and red onion).
Give one final gentle toss.
And salad is done when everything looks kind of glossy and you can smell the mint and lime.
Pro tip: don’t do this TOO early – maybe 2 hours if you’re serving it. After that, the watermelon just releases a lot of juice.
Instructions for Watermelon Pineapple Salad Variations
Tropical Twist
Toss in 1 diced mango and 1/4 cup toasted coconut flakes for vacation vibes without leaving home.
Mediterranean Style
Add 1/2 cup cucumber, 1/3 cup kalamata olives and more feta cheese. Sprinkle with oregano and drizzle with olive oil.
Spicy Summer Version
Stir in 1 diced avocado and increase the jalapeño. Top with Tajin seasoning for Mexican-influenced flavor.
Berry Good Addition
Stir in 1 cup fresh blueberries or strawberries for added antioxidants and color contrast.
Mojito Inspiration
Double the mint, throw in 2 tbsp white rum (for grownups!) and use extra lime juice. Perfect for grown-up parties.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will watermelon pineapple salad stay fresh in the fridge?
Preferably eaten the day it’s made. May be refrigerated up to 24 hours, but will get watery. Transfer to a airtight container and drain any extra juice when serving salad.
Can Watermelon Pineapple Salad be made ahead of time?
Fruit can be sliced 2-4 hours ahead and stored in fridge in separate containers. I recommend tossing everything together 30 min before eating to combine flavours. Stir in mint and any cheese just before serving.
Is watermelon c and pineapple salad healthy?
Absolutely! Low in calories, full of vitamins and natural hydration. It’s fruit in all of their natural glory (read: no added sugar). Exactly right for healthy summer eating.
What to serve with watermelon pineapple salad?
Is fantastic with grilled meats such as chicken or pork. Get into it with my Panzanella Salad for one insane summer feast. Also the best with spicy foods — the cool sweetness mattes the heat.
Can I use frozen fruit in this salad?
Not recommended. Thawed frozen fruit is too mushy and too wet. For this one, fresh is definitely the way to go.
How do I keep the salad from getting soggy?
Drain fruit pieces before it will be mixed, only use a little bit of dressing, and serve with a slotted spoon. If you’re making these for a party, you might want to serve the juicy components separately and assemble them just before serving.
Is this the same as your Millionaire Peaches and Cream Salad?
Not the same flavor but it’s along the same refreshing lines! If you adore this, you will adore my Millionaire Peach Salad with techniques closely related to what we’ve done here, but made with summer peaches.
Readers also love this easy watermelon pineapple salad recipe.
Took this watermelon pineapple salad to my mom’s 70th birthday lunch and she was stunned that something so simple could taste so good. That is the beauty of the use of perfect summer fruits — fancy techniques or weird ingredients are unnecessary!
What I love most about cooking is the simplicity of ingredients, allowing them to shine. This salad does exactly that. No intricate dressing, no fancy knife skills required – just good fruit, and a few minutes of your time.
Try this watermelon pineapple salad when you’re in a pinch and craving something refreshing! So make it your own with any add-ins that your family adores. The simplest recipes are occasionally the ones that we turn to over and over again.
I’d love to hear which variations you’ve tried! This has been our summer staple along with homemade lemonade and grilled everything. Simple food made with love — that’s what cooking is all about.