Thai-Inspired Watermelon & Peach Salad Recipe
This vibrant Thai-inspired watermelon and peach salad combines juicy watermelon chunks, ripe peaches, and fresh herbs, dressed in a zesty lime and chili dressing. Enhanced with the crunch of roasted peanuts and the aromatic touch of basil, this refreshing salad offers a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and spicy flavors, ideal for a light summer appetizer or side dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Thai
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
Dressing and Herbs
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
- 1 tablespoon sambal oelek
- 1 teaspoon finely grated peeled ginger
- 1 teaspoon fish sauce
- 2 scallions, thinly sliced
- 1/2 serrano chile, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup thinly sliced fresh Thai or Italian basil leaves, plus whole leaves for serving
Salad
- 6 cups seedless watermelon chunks or melon balls
- 2 ripe peaches, seeded and cut into 1/2-inch slices
- 1/2 cup dry roasted peanuts, crushed, plus more for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the dressing: In a large bowl, whisk together the fresh lime juice, sambal oelek, finely grated peeled ginger, and fish sauce until well combined, creating a tangy and spicy dressing base.
- Add aromatics: Stir the thinly sliced scallions, serrano chile, and thinly sliced basil leaves into the dressing, infusing it with fresh, herbal, and spicy notes.
- Toss the salad: Gently add the watermelon chunks, peach slices, and crushed dry roasted peanuts to the bowl. Toss everything carefully to ensure all fruit pieces are coated with the flavorful dressing while preserving their shape and texture.
- Serve: Sprinkle additional whole basil leaves and extra crushed peanuts on top for garnish and an added crunch. Serve the salad immediately to enjoy the fresh flavors at their peak.
Notes
- Use ripe, fragrant peaches for the best flavor contrast with the watermelon.
- Adjust the amount of sambal oelek according to your preferred spice level.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute the fish sauce with soy sauce or tamari.
- Serve immediately after tossing to prevent the fruit from becoming too watery.
- Dry roast the peanuts yourself if possible, for a fresher, nuttier flavor.
Keywords: Thai salad, watermelon salad, peach salad, summer salad, spicy fruit salad, no-cook salad, refreshing salad, basil salad, Thai flavors
