Watermelon salmon ceviche is an easy, no-cook and extremely fresh and healthy summer dish. It is made with fresh, raw salmon, sweet pineapple, spicy chili pepper, fresh coriander, sour lime juice, creamy avocado and sweet watermelon. In other words, tons of textures and flavours. This easy-to-make, yet extremely delicious and healthy dish is perfect to celebrate summer.
Summer is the time when we try to avoid the heat of cooking. But sometimes, we simply run out of ideas, right? Therefore, I am happy to share this lovely and fresh watermelon salmon ceviche with you. As I already said, there is no need to cook and it’s very fast to prepare. In fact, it comes together in less than 15 minutes.
Also, when I was making my last ceviche, I was already thinking of this recipe. Wink. Ceviche is such a simple and ingenious dish. You can combine your favourite fish, fruits, spices, herbs and vegetables and create a wonderfully healthy dish. Remember, fresh is always the best.
Moreover, rather than mixing all of the ingredients together, I served the super refreshing salmon ceviche on a watermelon base. Watermelon and pineapple bring another level of refreshing note to this ceviche. The sweet fruits help balance the spiciness of the chili pepper.
Furthermore, take a minute and check out the ingredients. If this isn’t “health” on a plate, then I don’t know. Watermelon salmon ceviche is packed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and nutrients. Moreover, salmon and avocado are rich in healthy fats which are also essential for your body health.
Besides that, the whole dish comes also with a bunch of health benefits, such as, giving a boost to the whole immune system, helping indigestion, preventing inflammatory problems, improving heart health and hydration and making your skin look younger. Now there is no excuse for not trying it. Wink.
Textures and flavours
And just when you thought there are no more watermelon recipes possible….taadaaaa….watermelon salmon ceviche pops up. I love watermelon and therefore, I am keeping this topic open. Wink.
Watermelon is a very versatile fruit. Besides being a wonderful summer snack, you can add it to salads, serve it next to meat or fish, put it in a drink or on a skewer or make some lovely ice popsicles. After making this recipe, you’ll have plenty of watermelon left. Therefore, here are some watermelon recipes for you to enjoy: summerish watermelon pineapple skewers, a super light watermelon carpaccio, stunning and fun watermelon look-alike ice popsicles.
Just like watermelon, also pineapple is a versatile fruit. The best is to pick a ripe pineapple, which you can use in other dishes as well. To check how ripe the pineapple is, simply pull the middle leaf from the crone out. If it goes out easily, the fruit is ripe. Of course, I have some pineapple recipes for you, too: pineapple express, a refreshing pineapple mango coconut sorbet, a simple carrot pineapple cake, a cute spinach pineapple braid or the pineapple porridge.
Also, when mixing together the ingredients, use a glass, stainless steel or a ceramic bowl, instead of a metal one. The reason is, acids in lime and pineapple can be problematic with metal bowls. Why? Metal bowls are reactive and the food mixed in them (in this case citrus fruits and pineapple) can take the metallic taste on them.
Ingredients for a watermelon salmon ceviche:
- 1 cm thick slice of watermelon (for the base, the rest for snacks)
- 100-150 g fresh, raw salmon (skinned and cubed)
- 1 small red chili pepper (sliced)
- around 20 g of pineapple
- half an avocado
- fresh coriander
- 2 limes
- salt
To begin, clean the salmon (any extra bones) and remove the skin. In my previous ceviche recipe, I describe how to simply and quickly peel the salmon’s skin off. Also, make sure to use a sharp knife. After removing the skin, cut the salmon flesh into 1-2 cm pieces or cubes and place them in a non-metallic bowl. Glass, ceramic or stainless steel will do great.
Furthermore, cut a small piece of pineapple and cut it in smaller cubes (ca 1 cm). Store the rest of the pineapple in the fridge. Use it later to make a salad or a sorbet, to puree a smoothie, to bake a delicious dessert, to make a skewer, combine it with meat or fish or simply eat it just as it is.
Next, slice the chili pepper, wash and chop the coriander and peel, scoop out and cut the avocado into smaller cubes (just like the pineapple).
Afterwards, combine everything in the bowl with salmon, sprinkle with lime juice and a pinch of salt and gently toss. Let it sit for a couple of minutes (not longer than 5 minutes) and allow the salmon to “cook”. Basically, the acids in lime and pineapple will transform the proteins in the salmon, just like happens in the cooking process. But with the difference that the salmon will stay moist and firm.
In the meantime, cut a 1-2 cm thick slice of watermelon and cut a round shape out. You can use a glass, a cup, a larger cookie cutter or just simply make it square.
Finally, place the watermelon base on a serving plate and then spoon the salmon ceviche on top of it. To make a lovely presentation, you can use some molds or simply a smaller bowl. Watermelon salmon ceviche is one of the most refreshing and healthy dishes you ever made or tasted and which doesn’t require cooking. It’s a delight to enjoy for lunch, brunch or dinner during hot summer days.
Enjoy!
PS
If you like the recipe, if you make the recipe or if you have any new ideas on how to improve or change it, let me know in the comments section below or alternatively share your photos and reactions with me on Instagram (@Passionspoon), Facebook or Twitter (@PassionSpoon1). Simply use the hashtag #passionspoonrecipes in your posts. I would love to see them! (wink)
