This refreshing and delicious Cantaloupe Melon Salad recipe bursts with juicy flavors and various textures. Made using cantaloupe melon and some other handy ingredients, this easy salad comes together in just 10 minutes.
This chilled, luscious, vibrant, and refreshing Cantaloupe Melon Salad is perfect for a meal to cool down on a warm day or when you are craving a fruity summer salad.
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Table of contents
It is a vegetarian & gluten free salad recipe that can also be made vegan with a slight adjustment.
Making this cantaloupe salad is very quick and easy; just chop the ingredients, make the garish dressing, toss the salad, and enjoy!
About Cantaloupe Melon Salad
This gorgeous and delightful salad is a perfect mix of sweet & juicy cantaloupe, creamy avocado, and crisp cucumber, pungent onions, all tossed together with a zesty and sweet lime and honey dressing.
And the icing on the cake is that this cucumber melon salad is served on a bed of chilled cottage cheese, and topped with creamy, salty feta and nutty toasted pistachios.
Imagine a spoonful of chilled salad with sweet, tangy, mildly spicy flavors and so many amazing textures in one bite. What’s not to love about it?
Not only does this salad taste amazing, but it also brings a bunch of health perks to your table.
Fresh Cantaloupe Melon Salad: Easy & Customizable
Every ingredient is carefully chosen in this recipe and holds a special place. Cantaloupe Melon adds a sweet, juicy taste, while avocado brings the creaminess, cucumber gives it the crunch, and red onion provides a sharp kick.
Plus, the honey-cilantro-lime dressing really enhances the flavors of this salad.
Well, it doesn’t end here; this salad is served on a bed of cottage cheese for a protein boost and topped with crumbled feta and toasted pistachios for extra richness and a bit of crunch.
Another great thing I love about this salad is that you can easily customize it according to your taste preference. There are endless ways you can make it.
For example, you can make it using a mix of melons or with any melon of your choice. Also, you can swap cottage cheese with Greek yogurt or cream cheese. You can use any nut or seed of your choice. Cilantro can be replaced with parsley or mint leaves.
I just love fruity salad recipes, be it watermelon cucumber feta salad, grape salad, orange salad, kiwi salad; you just name it. And this cantaloupe cucumber salad is another addition to my salad collection.
Whether you are planning a summer picnic, a brunch, or just looking for a light, healthy side dish, this easy and delicious melon salad recipe is a sure-shot hit. Plus, it looks so pretty that you can even serve it to your guests.
Try this salad recipe if you are looking for something refreshing, nutritious, and low in calories.
This Cantaloupe Melon Salad
✓ tastes so good & is super hydrating
✓ is easy to make
✓ makes a lovely lunch or brunch
✓ is perfect for summer
✓ is loaded with vitamins
✓ is vegetarian & gluten free
✓ can be made with any melon
✓ is packed with good stuff
✓ is easily customizable
Ingredients
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Melon: It is the star ingredient of this recipe. The quality of the melon makes or breaks the taste of this salad, so ensure that the melon you are using is of good quality, fresh, sweet, ripe, and juicy. I have used green cantaloupe melon for this recipe. You can also use regular chopped cantaloupe or any other melon of your choice.
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Avocado: It makes this salad filling while adding creamy texture and healthy fats.
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Cucumber: Gives it crispness and refreshing crunch and hydration.
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Red Onion: A hint of red onion adds a sharp contrast to the sweet and creamy tastes of other ingredients.
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Cilantro, Lime, Honey: Fresh cilantro adds the herby touch to the salad dressing. Lime juice adds a zesty tang, and honey balances the other flavors while adding sweetness.
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Extra Virgin Olive Oil: It adds richness and Mediterranean flair to this delicious salad recipe.
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Feta Cheese and Cottage Cheese: Both of these cheeses add a salty, creamy taste that balances the spicy, sweet, and tangy flavors of the dressing.
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Seasoning: I have seasoned this salad with red pepper flakes for heat, ground black pepper for earthiness, and salt to balance the flavors.
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Toasted Pistachios: I have also topped this salad with chopped pistachios. It adds a satisfying nutty crunch.
Variations
Mix Melon Salad
Instead of using just cantaloupe, you can use a mix of honeydew, watermelon, and muskmelon.
Try Different Fruits
Swap out cantaloupe for honeydew or watermelon for a new flavor.
Change Up the Cheese
Instead of cottage cheese and feta cheese, you can use goat cheese or cream cheese.
Vegan Melon Salad
To make a vegan version of this salad, replace honey with maple syrup or sugar. Skip the cheese or use a dairy-free alternative.
Nuts & Seeds
You can replace pistachios with other nuts such as almonds or walnuts to change the texture and flavor. You can also use chia seeds, toasted flax seeds, or melon seeds here.
Dressing
You can add lime zest, lemon zest, or orange zest to the dressing. Also, switch lime juice for lemon for a different kind of zesty. You can also add a hint of minced garlic for a new layer of flavor.
Serving Suggestions
This Cantaloupe Melon Salad tastes best when served cold. You can serve it as a light lunch or as a side dish at summer picnics and BBQs. You can also serve it for brunch with other delicious salads such as apple salad, strawberry salad, chickpea salad, pasta salad, avocado salad, and beetroot salad.
Or, for a perfect summer meal, pair it with chicken tikka, grilled chicken, seafood, and a chilled glass of white wine.
Storage Suggestions
This salad can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours when the melon and veggies are stored separately in airtight containers. Also, toss the dressing and add it right before serving to maintain freshness.
Tips & Tricks for the Best Cantaloupe Melon Salad
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Choosing Cantaloupe: Before buying cantaloupe, smell it. If it smells sweet, it is ripe and ready to enjoy. Also, make sure the cantaloupe is slightly soft at the stem.
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Cut Big Pieces: To enjoy the best texture of this salad, cut your cantaloupe and cucumber into big chunks.
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Dressing: Always add the dressing right before serving. This way, the salad maintains its crispness.
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Serving: I like to serve this salad on a bed of chilled cottage cheese. It not only looks pretty but also adds a creamy texture to each bite. You can also substitute cottage cheese with Greek yogurt.
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Mixed Herbs: Instead of using just cilantro, you can use a mix of parsley, basil, mint, and cilantro.
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Heat: For heat, I have used red pepper flakes, but you can also use some freshly chopped chilies or jalapeño.
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Garnish: To make it look more appealing and for added flavors, you can sprinkle extra herbs on top before serving.
Cantaloupe Melon Salad (Step-by-step photo instructions)
Make Lime Honey Dressing:
- In a small jar, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, lime juice, honey or maple syrup, red pepper flakes, sea salt, ground black pepper, and chopped cilantro. Shake until everything is well blended.
Prepare the Salad:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the chopped avocado, cubed chilled cantaloupe, sliced chilled cucumber, and thinly sliced red onions. Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients and gently toss to coat evenly.
Assemble the Cantaloupe Melon Salad:
- To serve, spread the cottage cheese on a serving plate. Top with the prepared cantaloupe salad. Sprinkle with crumbled feta and chopped pistachios. Serve the salad chilled as a light lunch or as a side dish.
Recipe Card
Cantaloupe Melon Salad [Recipe]
★★★★★
(Rating: 5 from 6 reviews)
| Prep time 🕐 | Cook time 🕐 | Total time 🕐 |
|---|---|---|
| 10 mins | ||
| Category ☶ | Cuisine ♨ | Serves ☺ |
| Salads | American | 3 |
| Nutrition Info ⊛ | Serving size ⊚ | |
| 109 calories | 1 |
INGREDIENTS
Ingredients for Cantaloupe Melon Salad
- 1 avocado, peeled and chopped
- 1/2 cantaloupe melon, seeded and cubed
- 1/2 cucumber, sliced
- 1 red onion, thinly sliced
- A handful of chopped cilantro
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- Red pepper flakes, to taste
- Sea salt and ground black pepper, to taste
For serving
- 200 grams of chilled cottage cheese
- 2 tablespoons crumbled feta
- 2 tablespoons chopped toasted pistachios
INSTRUCTIONS:
Make Lime Honey Dressing:
- In a small jar, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, lime juice, honey or maple syrup, red pepper flakes, sea salt, ground black pepper, and chopped cilantro. Shake until everything is well blended.
Prepare the Salad:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the chopped avocado, cubed chilled cantaloupe, sliced chilled cucumber, and thinly sliced red onions. Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients and gently toss to coat evenly.
Assemble the Cantaloupe Melon Salad:
- To serve, spread the cottage cheese on a serving plate. Top with the prepared cantaloupe salad. Sprinkle with crumbled feta and chopped pistachios. Serve the salad chilled as a light lunch or as a side dish.
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NOTES:
- Before buying cantaloupe, smell it. If it smells sweet, it is ripe and ready to enjoy. Also, make sure the cantaloupe is slightly soft at the stem.
- To enjoy the best texture of this salad, cut your cantaloupe and cucumber into big chunks.
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Author: Anupama
Recipe Source Link: https://www.mygingergarlickitchen.com/cantaloupe-melon-salad/
