Melons and mangoes are my weakness. They are so juicy, refreshing and tantalizing that I wait for them to come in season every year! This time for an afternoon barbecue at my friend’s place, I decided to make this refreshing and cool Citrus Melon Salad.

I knew that the combo of using three different types of melons (honeydew, watermelon and cantaloupe) would probably be overpoweringly sweet in a dish. So, keeping this in mind, I made a dressing for the salad that would cut through melons’ flavor, so the sweetness would be enhanced and not suppressed. I mixed together a beautiful array of fresh orange juice, lemon juice, olive oil and maple syrup. The fresh juices added just the right amount of tartness and sweetness to the salad, while the final sprinkle of basil, salt and pepper gave a very zingy, zesty essence to it. Also, subduing the sweetness of melons, initially, I mixed in some cucumber, blueberries and strawberries with them. I finally garnished it with pistachios, pumpkin seeds and feta cheese. The overall garnish left the salad with a gorgeous crunch and a nutty and salty tone!

The Summer Citrus Melon Salad was a huge hit at the barbecue! It was the perfect accompaniment and went really well with some fruity mimosas and seasonal coolers! Try it for your next picnic or potluck party and bask under the sun enjoying the refreshing story told by this melon salad!

STEP BY STEP VIDEO:

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Summer Citrus Melon Salad

Prep Time

5 mins

Cook Time

10 mins

Total Time

15 mins

 

With 3 varieties of succulent melons and a bold, sweet and spicy dressing, this salad is undoubtedly fresh and juicy! Try it for your next picnic or potluck party and bask under the sun enjoying the refreshing story told by this melon salad!

Course: Lunch, Salad

Cuisine: American

Keyword: fresh

Custom Category: Lunch, Salad

Servings: 4

Calories: 118 kcal

Author: Nidhi Bothra

Ingredients

Salad

• 1/2 cup honeydew
• 1/2 cup watermelon
• 1/2 cup cantaloupe
• 1/4 cup strawberries
• 1/2 cup cucumber
• 1/4 cup blueberries
• 1/2 tsp lemon zest
• 1/2 tsp orange zest
• 1/2 tsp ginger
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 3 tbsp basil , fresh
• 1/4 tsp cumin powder , roasted
• 2 tbsp maple syrup
• salt  to taste

Garnish

• feta cheese
• mixed nuts
• pumpkin seeds

Instructions

1. Zest a lemon and an orange.
2. Finely chop a 1/2 inch knob of ginger.
3. Chop some fresh basil leaves.
4. In a small bowl, combine the orange and lemon zest, ginger, orange juice, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper, basil, roasted cumin seeds, and maple syrup. Whisk the ingredients together and set the bowl aside.
5. In a larger bowl add melons, strawberries, blueberries, and cucumbers.
6. Pour the dressing over the salad and give it a nice toss.
7. Garnish with some feta cheese, mixed nuts, pumpkin seeds, and serve on a bed of greens. Enjoy!

Recipe Video

Nutrition Facts

Summer Citrus Melon Salad

Amount Per Serving

Calories 118 Calories from Fat 36

% Daily Value*

Fat 4g6%

Saturated Fat 1g6%

Cholesterol 3mg1%

Sodium 56mg2%

Potassium 259mg7%

Carbohydrates 18g6%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 15g17%

Protein 1g2%

Vitamin A 970IU19%

Vitamin C 41.8mg51%

Calcium 39mg4%

Iron 0.3mg2%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

I’d love to hear how the recipe turned out and what you think  in the comment section below. Find me on and share your creation with me!