Grilled Watermelon Salad: Grilled Fruit Recipe Round-Up
UPDATE: We're reposting this to kick off the 2019 Memorial Day Grilling Season! Don't forget the fruit when you fire up that grill.
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I'll always remember the first time.
The first time I had grilled fruit. It was grilled pineapple and it was one of those "aha" recipe creation moments.
Up until now, I've only really experimented with grilling fruit (mainly stone fruit like peaches, plums, apricots) for desserts. Drizzled with olive oil and honey and done.
YUM.
So, I figured it was time to expand my grilled fruit horizons. From cocktails to salads to entrees, grilled fruit is HOT this summer (OK...bad pun.)
[bctt tweet="Don't forget about the fruit when you are grilling this weekend! Grilled Fruit Recipe Round-Up via @tspbasil" via="no"]
I've been wanting to make Serena's Grilled Watermelon Salad for 3 summers now (she made it for one of our first Recipe ReDux posts!) and earlier this week, I finally did. In the past, I've done watermelon salad with feta and mint (SO GOOD) but never had tried it a) grilled or b) with Parmesan cheese (SO SO SO GOOD!)
Grilled Watermelon Salad
- Yield: 4-6 servings. 1x
Description
Grilled fruit goes beyond simple dessert - think grilled watermelon salad, grilled fruit cocktails, grilled grape kabobs and more in this recipe roundup.
Ingredients
- 1 small seedless watermelon, sliced ½-inch thick into quarter triangles
- 1 tablespoon olive oil for brushing
- 1 lemon, juiced and zested
- 4 fresh basil leaves, torn
- 4 fresh mint leaves, torn
- ½ cup Pecorino Romano or Parmesan cheese, grated finely (about 1 ounce)
Instructions
- Preheat grill or grill pan (for about 5 minutes) over medium high heat until very hot.
- Brush watermelon slices with olive oil.
- Grill watermelon for about 2 -3 minutes per side, or until grill marks appear.
- Remove from grill, cool slightly. Cut off rind and chop into chunks.
- Add watermelon to serving bowl and toss with lemon juice, lemon zest, basil, mint and cheese.
And to really expand my and your grilled fruit repertoire, I give you this fun and tasty recipe roundup. (First up for me? Those grilled fruit adult beverages...)
Nibbles & Apps:
Grilled Stone Fruit Antipasto Plate via Cooking Light
Caramelized Fresh Figs with Sweet Cream via Cooking Light
Grilled Peach and Mozzarella Crostini via Christie @ Food Done Light
Drinks:
Citrus Cocktail with Grilled Fruit via Linda @ Giggles, Gobbles & Gulps
Entrees:
Grilled Grape & Rosemary Chicken Kabobs via Serena @ Teaspoon of Spice
Salads:
Grilled Nectarine and Chevre Salad with Honey Fig Vinaigrette via Susan @ Simple Healthy Kitchen
Desserts:
Grilled Banana Boats @ Teaspoon of Spice
Grilled Greek Yogurt Banana Split Trio via Jackie @ Taste by Jackie
Grilled Peaches with Brown Sugar Pecan Crumble via Gina @ Running to the Kitchen
Do you ever grill fruit? What type and what kind of recipe? Please share - we love hearing from you!
That looks awesome! I love grilled fruit, these recipes will be super helpful. 🙂
BEST SALAD EVER.
This week I'm agreeing with you - love me some watermelon, mint & cheese 🙂
Thanks for including my recipe. I adore how fruit becomes more sweet and slightly caramelized from grilling.
Sure thing - I can't wait to try it- I'm making those crostini my meal when I do 🙂
Wow, the parmesan sounds like an amazing addition!! I love grilled pineapple and also need to expand my grilled fruit horizons.
I only ever did watermelon with feta and ricotta salata but the Parmesan was over the top yum (probably like how salt on watermelon is so so good.) I'm thinking this salad, some good bread and your moscow mule popsicles would be a pretty darn good summer meal!
Loving these creative ideas! I just had watermelon + feta last week and can't wait to try the grilled salad!
If you like it with feta, you are gonna love it with Parmesan! 🙂
Grilled watermelon???? Woa - this sounds incredible!!!!
It is and it's so simple - let me know if you try it!
Grilled Watermelon Salad!? Genius!! I can't even imagine how delicious this is… must try it ASAP
Let me know if you do 🙂
very cool! i love the brilliance of the salty, savory parmesan with the sweet juiciness of the watermelon. great idea!
I never had paired watermelon with Parmesan before (only feta) and this takes it to a whole new level!
Ok I need to expand my horizon as well! I had SOO much watermelon in Korea and not once did I think, "let's grill this deliciousness!" Mmm…can't wait to try this! Love the roundup…I'm so excited to cook again in my kitchen ;).
Any special way they serve watermelon in Korea or just cut up like we do here in the States?
I love grilled fruit! I've never tried grilling watermelon but it looks absolutely delicious with the mint, basil and savory pecorino. In 2012 I made these awesome grilled pears with bleu cheese, honey and basil - http://www.thefreshbeet.com/oh-my-succulent-pears/ (2012?? Yikes! It's been far too long since my last fruit grilling!) Thanks for the inspiration 🙂
Oh wow - those pears look wonderful - will have to try out that combo for sure 🙂
Thank GOODNESS for instagram tempting me with this......I can't believe I missed it! Grilled watermelon- Legit cannot wait for Summer now! thanks Deanna!
And I will be living vicariously thorough you once your summertime comes around 🙂
I've grilled a lot of fruit before, but have yet to try watermelon. You made it look so good, I'm going to have to give it a try!!
Looks so good, I have never grilled fruit before..I'll have to give it a try.
Serena's Grilled Watermelon Salad looks AMAZING! I still haven't tried my hand at grilling fruit, but with all these yummy recipes, I have NO excuses 🙂 Hope you're having a fabulous summer!
Gorgeous! And what a great combination of ingredients, love the addition of basil and mint!
Those fresh herbs can change any recipe!
Wow this looks great! We always get a whole watermelon and there is so much left over, next time we will try it grilled!
Let me know what you think after you grill it!
Interesting... watermelon would have been the last thing I would have ever thought to grill. What’s next? Ice cream?!?