Celebrate the best of summer produce with this vibrant and refreshing Melon Salad! Featuring a trio of sweet, juicy melons, crisp cucumber, zesty cilantro, and tangy lime juice, this simple salad is bursting with fresh flavors!
Jump to:
Why You’ll Love This Melon Salad Recipe
- No Cooking: This delicious salad comes together easily with no cooking required. Simply chop, mix, and enjoy!
- Nutritious: This melon fruit salad with cucumber is low in both calories and fat but packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
- Refreshing: Thanks to the high water content of the melons and cucumbers, this dish is incredibly refreshing and hydrating, making it perfect for hot summer days.
For more melon recipes, check out our frozen watermelon drink and our watermelon lemonade next.
Ingredients
Here’s a look at the simple ingredients you’ll need for this melon salad.
- Melons: Cantaloupe, honeydew, and watermelon provide sweetness and create a beautiful color combination.
- Cucumber: Adds a crisp texture that complements the soft, juicy melons.
- Cilantro: Adds a fresh, zesty element that boosts the sweetness of the melons.
- Freshly Squeezed Lime Juice: Provides acidity and tanginess that enhances the other flavors in the salad.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
Variations
- Change the Dressing: Instead of the cilantro-lime dressing, you can try something different like balsamic vinaigrette.
- Add Cheese: Try adding some cheese for another layer of flavor. For example, you can turn this recipe into melon salad with burrata or melon salad with cucumber and feta.
- Switch up the Herbs: If you don’t like cilantro or don’t have any on hand, you can use different herbs, such as parsley or mint.
- Other Additions: Feel free to experiment with different flavor combinations by adding other ingredients to the salad, such as prosciutto, avocado, or strawberries.
How to Make Melon Salad
Get started by chopping the melons, cucumber, and cilantro.
Step 1: Make the Dressing. Add the cilantro, lime juice, and salt to a small bowl and stir to combine.
Step 2: Assemble the Salad. Add the chopped cantaloupe, honeydew, watermelon and cucumber to a large bowl. Pour on the dressing and toss to combine.
Serving Suggestions
This cucumber melon salad is sure to be a hit at all of your summer gatherings! Here are some great ideas for serving it:
- This light and fresh salad is the perfect addition for your next backyard barbecue alongside these lamb burgers and this potato salad without mayo.
- With its beautiful presentation, this tasty salad is great for serving at a weekend brunch with this sausage frittata or this bacon and kale potato hash.
- Pack it for your next picnic in the park along with some egg salad sandwiches and a batch of this easy hummus with pita chips for dipping.
Expert Tips
- Serve chilled: This cucumber melon salad is best served chilled. You can chill your melons before cutting them, or prepare the salad and store it in the fridge for 30 minutes to an hour before serving.
- Cut uniform pieces. Cutting the melons and cucumber into similar-sized pieces ensures that each bite has a balanced mix of flavors and textures.
- Store in the refrigerator: While this salad is best enjoyed the same day as it’s made, leftovers should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator where they will keep for about 1-2 days. Note that as the salad sits, the melons will release more moisture and the texture of both the fruit and the cucumber will be affected.
Recipe FAQs
A ripe cantaloupe and honeydew should have a slight give when pressed and a strong melon smell at the stem end. A ripe watermelon should sound hollow when tapped.
Yes, you can use fresh, pre-cut melon for convenience or if you’re short on time.
We recommend serving this salad on the day it is made for the best flavor and texture. However, you can make the dressing and cut the melons and cucumber the day before. Store them in the fridge and then toss everything together right before serving.
More Fruit-Filled Salad Recipes
Don't Be Shy!
If you tried this Recipe or any other recipe on the blog then don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave us a comment below. You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest to see what else we’re getting up to!
Melon Salad
Ingredients
- 1 ripe cantaloupe
- 1 ripe honeydew melon
- ½ of a watermelon
- 1 cucumber
- ½ cup chopped cilantro (or one bunch)
- 2-3 fresh limes juiced
- 1 pinch of salt
Instructions
- Chop up cantaloupe ,watermelon, honeydew and cucumber into bite size pieces or thin slices You can chop them however small or large as you want. Combine in large bowl.
- In a small bowl combine cilantro, lime juice and salt. Stir and pour over. Toss to combine.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Erin V says
such a fun combination of flavors!