Name: Refreshing Cantaloupe & Tomato Summer Salad
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 5
Ingredients: ½ cup cucumber, thinly sliced; ½ cup cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced; ¼ medium red onion, thinly sliced; 1 tbsp olive or avocado oil; 2 tsp apple cider vinegar; 1 pinch sea salt, plus black pepper, a healthy pinch each; 3 tbsp lime juice; 1 tbsp maple syrup; 1 pinch sea salt; 1 tbsp olive or avocado oil; 3 cups cantaloupe, cubed or scooped with a melon baller; about 1 cantaloupe; 2 tbsp fresh mint

Refreshing Cantaloupe & Tomato Summer Salad

A vibrant, 10-ingredient melon salad that combines sweet cantaloupe with tangy lime and fresh mint, paired with a crisp cucumber-tomato-onion mix in a light vinaigrette. Perfect for hot days.

Prep20 min

Total20 min

DifficultyEasy

Servings5

This salad is all about summer contrasts: the juicy sweetness of cantaloupe meets the bright acidity of lime and the cool crunch of cucumber. A simple lime-maple dressing ties everything together, while fresh mint adds a fragrant finish.

It comes together in just 20 minutes with no cooking required. The key is to let the cucumber-tomato-onion mixture marinate briefly in the fridge while you prepare the dressing and cantaloupe, so every bite is perfectly chilled and flavorful.

Method

In a small bowl, combine the sliced cucumber, cherry tomatoes, and red onion. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil and apple cider vinegar, then season with a generous pinch each of salt and black pepper. Toss well, taste, and adjust with more vinegar, salt, or pepper if needed. Refrigerate to chill.
In another small bowl, make the dressing: whisk together the lime juice, maple syrup, and a pinch of salt. While whisking, slowly drizzle in the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil until emulsified. Taste and adjust with more lime juice, maple syrup, or salt as desired. Set aside.
Place the cubed cantaloupe in a large serving bowl. Pour the dressing over the cantaloupe and gently toss to coat. Spoon the chilled cucumber-tomato-onion mixture on top, leaving behind any excess liquid in the bowl.
Gently toss everything together until combined. Garnish with fresh mint leaves. Serve immediately.
This salad is best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep the mint on the side to preserve its freshness.

💡 Tips

For the best texture, use a ripe but firm cantaloupe so it holds its shape when tossed.
If you don't have a melon baller, simply cube the cantaloupe into bite-sized pieces.
Adjust the sweetness of the dressing by adding more or less maple syrup to suit your taste.

Inspired by a recipe from Minimalist Baker

Refreshing Cantaloupe & Tomato Summer Salad

Ingredients

Method

💡 Tips

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