Watermelon and Pearls of Mozzarella Salad is a unique and delicious dish for any occasion. Whether you’re looking for a quick lunch, a side dish for a barbecue, or a refreshing snack, this salad is flavorful and visually stunning and will impress your family and friends.
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Summer is the perfect time to enjoy light, refreshing, delicious, and nutritious salads. If you love the crisp sweetness of watermelon and the smooth texture of fresh mozzarella cheese, you might also enjoy my other refreshing salads like Tomato Cucumber Avocado salad, Creamy Broccoli, and Cucumber Radish salad with eggs. These salads have a variety of textures and flavors, from creamy and savory to crisp and tangy.
I fell in love with Watermelon Salad with Mozzarella when I first tried it at a summer BBQ and ever since I’ve been making it for every occasion I can think of. Whether it’s a potluck with friends or a solo lunch at home, this salad is always a crowd-pleaser. It’s a simple yet sophisticated dish that makes me feel like a gourmet chef, even though I’m just throwing ingredients together in a bowl. Throw in some blueberries and you have a red, white, and blue salad for a Holiday Celebration.
How to Make Watermelon & Pearls of Mozzarella Salad
Gather your ingredients. Please refer to the measured ingredients and nutrition info in the printable recipe card below.
- You will need fresh watermelon and mozzarella pearls. I also added fire-roasted peppers and fresh arugula (You can substitute with fresh basil leaves). Balsamic glaze, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Cut the watermelon into bite-sized cubes or use a melon baller to create uniform pieces. Place the watermelon in a large bowl and add the mozzarella pearls on top. Chop up the arugula or tear up the basil leaves and sprinkle them over the salad.
- Drizzle some olive oil over the salad followed by a generous drizzle of balsamic glaze. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Gently toss everything together to ensure all the flavors are well combined. The sweetness of the watermelon pairs perfectly with the creaminess of the mozzarella pearls while the basil adds a fresh herbaceous note.
- Once everything is mixed together, transfer the salad to a serving dish or individual bowls for presentation. You can garnish with additional basil leaves or a sprinkle of black pepper for an extra pop of flavor. This salad is best served chilled so be sure to refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow all the flavors to meld together.
As you take your first bite of this refreshing watermelon and pearls of mozzarella salad, you’ll be greeted with a burst of sweetness from the watermelon followed by creamy bites of mozzarella. The balsamic glaze adds a tangy kick while the basil lends a hint of freshness to each bite. This salad is not only delicious but also incredibly satisfying on a hot summer day.
Serving Suggestions
Presentation matters, especially when it comes to food. Use a large, flat platter instead of a bowl. Arrange the ingredients in layers, creating a visually appealing display.
Pair with Drinks: This salad pairs wonderfully with a chilled glass of white wine, refreshing lemonade, or sparkling water with a squeeze of lemon.
Make Ahead: If you’re preparing this salad for a gathering, you can make it a few hours in advance. Just keep it refrigerated and add the balsamic glaze and final seasonings right before serving.
Leftovers
While this salad is best enjoyed fresh, you can store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to two days. Place the salad in an airtight container to keep it fresh. If possible, store the watermelon and mozzarella separately to maintain their textures. Before serving leftovers, give the salad a quick stir and add a fresh drizzle of balsamic glaze. This will help revive the flavors and make it taste as good as new.
Tips
Do not over-mix. Over-mixing can cause the watermelon to become mushy. Be gentle when tossing the ingredients to maintain their integrity.
Do not use Pre-packaged mozzarella. It may lack the creamy texture and rich flavor of fresh mozzarella.
Drain the mozzarella pearls from their brine. If you prefer, you can give them a quick rinse under cold water to remove excess salt. Pat them dry with a paper towel before adding them to the salad.
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Watermelon and Pearls of Mozzarella Salad
Ingredients
- 2 cups Seedless watermelon diced in 1/2 inch cubes
- 1 cup Fresh Mozzarella pearls Found at local supermarket. Comes in few sizes. I got the smallest pearls. If you can't find pearls, then you can get a regular fresh mozzarella and dice it in small 1/4 inch cubes.
- 1 cup Arugula chopped. Or fresh basil leaves.
- 1 Tablespoon Olive oil
- 1 Tablespoon Balsamic Glaze
- 1/2 Teaspoon Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cut the watermelon into bite-sized cubes or use a melon baller to create uniform pieces. Place the watermelon in a large bowl and add the mozzarella pearls on top. Chop up the arugula or tear up the basil leaves and sprinkle them over the salad.Tip: Drain the mozzarella pearls from their brine. If you prefer, you can give them a quick rinse under cold water to remove excess salt. Pat them dry with a paper towel before adding them to the salad.
- Drizzle some olive oil over the salad followed by a generous drizzle of balsamic glaze. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Gently toss everything together to ensure all the flavors are well combined.
- Transfer the salad to a serving dish or individual bowls for presentation. You can garnish with additional basil leaves or a sprinkle of black pepper for an extra pop of flavor. Tip: This salad is best served chilled so be sure to refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow all the flavors to meld together.
Oh, this looks so delicious!! I’ve never heard of pearls of mozzarella. This would be perfect for a summer dinner.
I made this yesterday because I had watermelon that I needed to do something with. I was tired of slices or chunks with salt or with feta. This was amazing and got rave reviews when I took it to a cookout. I used spring mix greens and fresh basil. Next time more greens and I’ll not add the glaze until serving.
Thank you Jan for your feedback. I’m also not a big fan of using salty feta with watermelon. Mozzarella is much milder. I’m glad it got the rave reviews. Thank you for the tip about adding the glaze at serving.