Watermelon Caprese Salad is a delicious summer twist on the classic Caprese typically made with tomato.

Watermelon Caprese Salad
I love watermelon with balsamic like this Watermelon Feta Pizza. The salty-sweet combination of the watermelon with mozzarella, arugula and balsamic is delicious and refreshing. Cutting the watermelon with a star-shaped cookie cutter makes these perfect for Memorial day or July 4th.
Who says a Caprese salad has to be made with tomatoes? I’m actually not a huge fan of tomatoes until late August when they are falling off my tomato plants, so watermelon is a great alternative.
Made with only 5 ingredients! The best part, they are so easy to make and there’s no cooking required. The hardest part is cutting out the shapes (which is NOT hard at all, Madison loves helping me with this).
To prep them ahead, assemble up the day before or morning of and refrigerate until ready to serve. I buy my fresh mozzarella in a local Italian deli and they even slice it for me on their slicer which saves me time. When you’re ready to serve assemble them on a platter, and finish them with Modenacrem Balsamic Glaze from Delallo (I LOVE this stuff!!). Buying balsamic glaze is a huge time saver, the alternative is to simmer balsamic on the stove until it reduces down.
More Salads with Watermelon
- Grilled Shrimp Watermelon Chopped Salad
- Watermelon Feta Salad
- Watermelon Cucumber Salad
- Watermelon Jicama Cucumber Salad
- Ahi Tuna Watermelon Salad
Watermelon Caprese Salad
Ingredients
- 1/2 red seedless watermelon, sliced 1/2 inch thick (calculated with 16 oz)
- 8 thin slices fresh mozzarella, 1 oz each
- 1 loose cup baby arugula
- 2 tsp extra virgin olive oil
- kosher salt
- 2 tbsp balsamic glaze, I used Modenacrem Balsamic Glaze
Instructions
- Use a 4-inch star-shaped cookie cutter (or any shape) and cut 16 stars out of the watermelon (about 1 oz each). Save the excess watermelon for another use.
- Arrange the watermelon on a platter, then layer with cheese, arugula, 1/4 tsp olive oil and a pinch of salt on each.
- Top with a final star, drizzle each with balsamic glaze and serve.
Last Step:
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Sponsored by DeLallo.
I skipped the salt. Used a combination of arugula and basil. Love it.
Made these tonight for our socially distanced cookout out on the deck. They were a hit and super cute and festive for the fourth of July. I was worried about the arugula and balsamic vinegar being too strong but ended up adding more. Matched it with a white wine watermelon sangria with star watermelons in it and the pineapple grilled salsa chicken recipe from skinnytaste. Everyone LOVED it. People even asked for the leftovers.
Perfect! The sangria sounds good!
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I strongly recommend this recipe! It was a big hit, especially with the people who are not fans of ‘raw’ tomatoes and loved this caprese alternative. Thank you.
agree!!
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I love this recipe but don’t like watermelon and my husband can’t have it because of the dread can I use cantaloupe in stead? Thanks
It might be good!
How far in advance would you say would be okay to make this? I have girls party planned for this Saturday and think these would be great.
Prep a day ahead but assemble the day you plan on eating.
One more thing–I don’t like regular balsamic vinegar. But this was delicious.
I made these for our cook out. Forgot to buy arugula, but that was ok. Couldn’t find the brand of glaze you used but found a substitute and it was delicious. It was so easy, so flavorful and soo pretty. Everybody loved them. I will make them again this summer. It was a great, fun and unexpected addition to our usual bbq fare.
Is one of these stars 3 points?
My favorite salad now in a new form! Can you buy the Modenacrem in stores or do you have to get it online?
watermelon with cheese and balsamic sorry I think I will pass this one out
Gina, no one can say that you lack courage! Girl, watermelon with cheese and balsamic? Daring move!!!
Would this still be good if I substituted the more caprese-traditional fresh basil for the arugula?
looks very intrigue! I have to try it on my next bbq :))
Brilliant!!! A new summer favorite…thanks
Love this! Sharing on Facebook and I'm going to try it for sure!
I'm going to grill the watermelon and add grilled shrimp…..
Oh my goodness, this is PERFECTION. We have tomato allergies in the house but I ADORE caprese salad and have been dying for an alternative! Pinning this one! (Cute little stars too!)
The perfect summer time snack, Gina! Looks darling 🙂
Love how you've switched this up! Watermelon looks soooo good right now!