Watermelon Shiso Salad Recipe
A simple, delicious Watermelon Salad with a sesame-lime dressing, cucumbers, cilantro and scallions, finished with optional shiso ribbons. A great vegan substitute for ahi poke salad.
How to Make the Best Watermelon Shiso Salad
This refreshing Watermelon Shiso Salad is the perfect summer dish that brings together sweet, savory, and aromatic flavors in every bite. The combination of juicy watermelon cubes with a sesame-lime dressing creates a unique taste experience that’s both light and satisfying—a wonderful vegan alternative to traditional ahi poke.
The secret to this salad is the balance of flavors in the dressing. The toasted sesame oil adds a nutty depth, while the fresh lime juice and ginger provide brightness and zing. The soy sauce ties everything together with a subtle umami note that makes the watermelon taste even sweeter by contrast.
If you can get your hands on shiso leaves, they add an incredible aromatic dimension to this dish. Also known as perilla or Japanese basil, shiso has a flavor that’s hard to describe—somewhere between mint, basil, and anise. Even without it, this salad is absolutely delicious and comes together in just 15 minutes, making it an ideal side dish for summer barbecues, potlucks, or a light lunch on a hot day.
Watermelon Shiso Salad
A simple, delicious Watermelon Salad with a sesame-lime dressing, cucumbers, cilantro and scallions, finished with optional shiso ribbons. A great vegan substitute for ahi poke salad.
Ingredients
Salad
Sesame-Lime Dressing
Garnish
Instructions
Prepare the Salad
- Place watermelon, cucumber, scallions, and cilantro in a medium bowl.
- Mix dressing ingredients together in a small bowl then pour over watermelon salad.
- Gently toss. Taste for salt, adding a little salt and pepper to taste.
- Garnish with jalapeño, shiso ribbons and toasted sesame seeds.
Notes
- Shiso is a Japanese herb with a unique flavor that's a cross between basil and mint. If you can't find it, you can substitute fresh basil or mint.
- For the best texture, serve the salad immediately after dressing to prevent the watermelon from releasing too much juice.
- This makes a great vegan alternative to ahi poke when you're craving those Hawaiian flavors.
