If you’re searching for a dish that’s as stunning to look at as it is delightful to eat, this Grilled Watermelon Tower with Whipped Ricotta & Pickled Onion Vinaigrette is ready to steal the spotlight at your next summer gathering. Each rosy round of juicy grilled melon is layered with fluffy whipped ricotta and topped with a tangy-sweet pickled onion vinaigrette that adds a punch of flavor and color. With each bite, you get a beautiful interplay of warm and cool, smoky and creamy, sweet and zingy — all in one showstopping salad stack. Trust me, after one forkful, you’ll be just as smitten with this pped Ricotta & Pickled Onion Vinaigrette creation as I am!

pped Ricotta & Pickled Onion Vinaigrette Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of this dish is in its handful of fresh, quality ingredients, each one contributing a special touch to taste, color, or texture. Don’t be tempted to skip or swap — together, they work wonders for this refreshing, irresistible tower.

Seedless Watermelon: Juicy, sweet, and perfect for grilling; go for a small, seedless melon for the best shape and bite.
Ricotta Cheese: Choose fresh ricotta for ultra-creamy, rich layers that whip beautifully.
Heavy Cream: Just a splash helps ricotta reach that dreamy, fluffy consistency.
Honey: Adds mellow sweetness to both the ricotta and vinaigrette, tying every element together.
Salt: A pinch lifts the flavors and balances sweetness in the cheese.
Pickled Red Onion: Provides zingy crunch and a gorgeous pink hue for the showpiece vinaigrette.
Pickling Liquid: This brine from your onions is key for a bright, tangy vinaigrette.
Olive Oil: Brings silky richness to the vinaigrette and helps grill marks form on the melon.
Salt & Pepper: Essential for seasoning the vinaigrette just right.
Olive Oil Spray: Keeps melon from sticking to the grill so you get those picture-perfect marks.

How to Make pped Ricotta & Pickled Onion Vinaigrette

Step 1: Slice the Watermelon

Start by cutting your seedless watermelon into thick, even rounds. A sharp knife and a sturdy cutting board make this so much easier. If you want restaurant-level presentation, use a round cutter to trim each slice into perfect discs — this ensures they’ll stack into a tidy, Instagram-worthy tower. Each round should be about 1 inch thick for the best texture and structural integrity.

Step 2: Grill the Melon

Heat a grill pan over high heat until it’s pleasantly hot, then give the surface a light coat of olive oil spray. Working in batches if necessary, lay out the watermelon rounds and grill them for just 1 to 2 minutes per side. You want to achieve dark grill marks and concentrate the melon’s sweetness, without letting it turn mushy. Once grilled, set the rounds aside to cool slightly while you whip up the ricotta.

Step 3: Make the Whipped Ricotta

In a bowl or mini food processor, combine the ricotta cheese, heavy cream, honey, and pinches of salt. Blend or whip until the mixture becomes light, airy, and luxuriously smooth. If it feels too thick, add another drizzle of cream until you have a spoonable, cloud-like texture. Set the bowl of whipped ricotta in the fridge to chill as you prepare the vinaigrette — this slight chill makes for extra refreshing bites among the grilled melon slices.

Step 4: Mix the Pickled Onion Vinaigrette

This is where the magic happens! Add finely chopped pickled red onion, pickling liquid, olive oil, honey, salt, and pepper to a mixing bowl. Whisk everything together until the vinaigrette emulsifies and takes on a glorious fuchsia tint. The pickling brine provides tang, the honey softens the edges, and those pink onion flecks make every spoonful sparkle. This vinaigrette is the signature in your pped Ricotta & Pickled Onion Vinaigrette — don’t skimp!

Step 5: Assemble the Tower

Now it’s time to stack your edible masterpiece. Place a grilled watermelon round on your serving plate, top with a generous smear of whipped ricotta, then repeat for two or three layers (as tall as you dare). Be gentle and use a small offset spatula or the back of a spoon for even spreading. You want clear, defined layers that showcase all the color and texture this pped Ricotta & Pickled Onion Vinaigrette tower has to offer.

Step 6: Finish & Serve

For the grand finale, spoon the pickled onion vinaigrette slowly over the assembled towers, letting it drizzle down the watermelon’s sides and pool on the plate. The vinaigrette’s acidity and punchy color should contrast against the sweet melon and snowy ricotta. Serve immediately for peak wow-factor and flavor harmony — and get ready for applause!

How to Serve pped Ricotta & Pickled Onion Vinaigrette

Garnishes

A sprinkle of fresh basil, mint, or microgreens takes this salad from beautiful to breathtaking. Toasted pine nuts or a few drops of good balsamic glaze can also add new layers of flavor. Presentation is half the fun, so don’t be afraid to play with edible flowers or a dusting of cracked black pepper atop your pped Ricotta & Pickled Onion Vinaigrette tower.

Side Dishes

This grilled watermelon tower loves to share the table with bright, summery side dishes — think a crisp arugula salad, lemony orzo, or grilled vegetables. For heartier gatherings, pair it with a platter of grilled shrimp or simple roast chicken. The tangy, creamy nature of the pped Ricotta & Pickled Onion Vinaigrette balances wonderfully with neutral grains or fresh greens.

Creative Ways to Present

Try making mini towers for a passed appetizer, or arrange individual rounds and ricotta as an “open-faced” salad on a long platter if you’re hosting a crowd. Skewer cubes of grilled watermelon with dollops of whipped ricotta and a drizzle of vinaigrette for playful, bite-sized skewers. However you plate it, the vibrant layers and jewel-toned vinaigrette scream celebration — and highlight all that’s fresh about pped Ricotta & Pickled Onion Vinaigrette.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have extra assembled towers, cover them gently and refrigerate for up to one day. The melon can lose some structure over time, so for the best texture, eat leftovers soon. Store any unused whipped ricotta and vinaigrette separately in airtight containers for up to three days.

Freezing

Neither watermelon nor whipped ricotta are freezer-friendly as both tend to separate or become watery when thawed. For the freshest experience, assemble and enjoy your pped Ricotta & Pickled Onion Vinaigrette on the same day — though the vinaigrette alone can be made ahead and chilled for up to three days, if needed.

Reheating

This dish is best enjoyed chilled or at room temperature. There’s no need to reheat grilled watermelon, and the whipped ricotta should remain cool. If you prepped the melon in advance, let it sit out a few minutes for the flavors to wake up before stacking your towers. Stir the vinaigrette well before serving to remix all those zesty flavors.

FAQs

Can I make the whipped ricotta in advance?

Absolutely! The whipped ricotta keeps beautifully in the fridge for up to three days. Just give it a quick whip or stir before assembling your towers for that freshly whipped texture in your pped Ricotta & Pickled Onion Vinaigrette.

What if I can’t find pickled red onions?

You can quickly pickle your own by soaking thinly sliced red onion in vinegar, water, sugar, and salt for at least 30 minutes. The tang and color are crucial for the personality of this dish, so don’t skip that pickled zing in your vinaigrette.

Can I use a different cheese instead of ricotta?

Mascarpone or whipped feta are delicious alternatives, though each brings its own twist. Ricotta’s lightness and hint of sweetness are best suited to the flavor harmony of this pped Ricotta & Pickled Onion Vinaigrette recipe, but feel free to experiment!

How do I transport this for a picnic or potluck?

For easy travel, keep the grilled watermelon, whipped ricotta, and vinaigrette in separate containers. Assemble your pped Ricotta & Pickled Onion Vinaigrette towers just before serving — you’ll preserve the perfect structure and freshness that way.

Can I grill the watermelon on an outdoor BBQ?

Definitely! An outdoor grill gives the melon even more smoky depth. Just be gentle flipping the rounds, and keep the grill grates clean and well-oiled. The grilled flavor really shines through in each bite of this pped Ricotta & Pickled Onion Vinaigrette.

Final Thoughts

This Grilled Watermelon Tower with pped Ricotta & Pickled Onion Vinaigrette is more than a recipe — it’s a conversation starter and a reason to celebrate fresh flavors all on one plate. Try it for your next gathering and surprise your friends with a new classic — it’s simple enough to make on a weeknight, but dazzling enough for any special occasion. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself craving pped Ricotta & Pickled Onion Vinaigrette all summer long!