Mojito Melon Summer Salad

Categories: Recipes

As I plan for the Fourth of July, I always take into account the heat and the festivities. Usually, I’m at the lake with our large extended family boating and skiing and sharing our favorite foods.

Plate of sliced watermelon and cantaloupe on a white cloth with red stripes.

No surprise to you I’m sure, this year’s itinerary looks a little different. There won’t be any large crowds – no big potlucks. But all those changes make it even more important to make some yummy recipes that commemorate the holiday.

I can’t think of a better mood lifter than this cooling, simple Mojito Melon Summer Salad. There’s no cooking required, just some chopping and slicing. This recipe can be made ahead and refrigerated AND it can set out at room temperature without worry of spoiling (2 essential components to summer cooking in my opinion).

Another bonus? This recipe works well for underripe and ripe melons alike, thanks to all the added garnishes. Honey, mint, lime, red onion, queso fresco and jalapeño peppers add that perfect balance of ‘sweet, salty, heat’ and are sure to make even the most bland melon extra tasty!

Ingredients for a watermelon salad, including watermelon cubes, sliced onions, mint leaves, lime wedges, cheese, cantaloupe slices, and a bowl of cheese cubes.

Ingredients for a watermelon salad, including watermelon cubes, sliced cantaloupe, cheese cubes, onions, mint leaves, and a small bottle of dressing.

Ingredients for a watermelon salad, including watermelon cubes, sliced onions, mint leaves, lime wedges, cheese, and a small bottle of dressing.

2 simple steps:

There are 2 steps to this recipe, first prepare your ‘salad ingredients’. Slice and cube watermelon and cantaloupe (removing the seeds of the cantaloupe).

Zest the lime and then thinly slice lime, jalapeño, mint and red onion.

Arrange the Mojito Melon salad ingredients on a large platter (as pictured below), saving the mint + lime zest for garnish.

Close-up of a watermelon salad with cheese cubes, red onion rings, and jalapeno slices, garnished with a small bottle of dressing on the side.

Next, measure out the Mojito Melon dressing ingredients : honey + olive oil.

Drizzle the honey and olive oil over the salad, sprinkle with cheese, mint and lime zest. Finish it all off with a sprinkle of freshly ground pepper and some flaky sea salt.

Chill or serve immediately.

Plate of watermelon salad topped with cheese cubes, red onion rings, jalapeno slices, and lime wedges, surrounded by additional ingredients and dressing.

the perfect summer salad

The flaky sea salt & salty queso fresco are a wonderful addition to all of these ingredients, really waking up that summer melon flavor. As the salad sits, the juices of the melons mingle with salt, olive oil and honey and essential oils from the mint and lime in such a delicious way. The jalapeño gives the perfect whisper of warm. I think this really is the perfect summer salad.