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I promise this is the most beautiful summer salad you’ll make! This sweet melon salad recipe combines ripe melon with cool cucumber, feta, and a simple honey lime dressing. 

If you’ve been following me here for a while, you know I LOVE to play with my food! My main outlet for creative arranging of food is big spreads like this charcuterie table. Recently, I had an abundance of fresh melon at the house and some garden cucumber. I decided to try my hand at a creative melon cucumber salad, perfect for hot summer days! 

an overhead photo of a cucumber melon salad with watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew, cucumber, strawberry with a honey lime dressing

This yummy recipe is a spin on a juicy watermelon feta salad that I recently tried on vacation. It had a light, sweet and slightly tangy dressing on top. I honestly could have eaten the whole bowl!

Considering that I had more melons on hand, I really wanted to work those melons in alongside the watermelon.

a close up photo of a cucumber melon salad

For this delicious salad recipe, I cut the melon, cucumbers and strawberries into cubes, roughly 1-inch pieces. I know that this takes more effort to cut into a specific shape. But, it wasn’t too time consuming.

a photo of the ingredients for cucumber melon salad
a photo of a watermelon being sliced
a photo of cubed produce

Whether you cut your produce into cubes, balls, or just bite-sized pieces, the salad will taste the same. So don’t stress! I have to admit that I probably would have preferred to use a melon baller. But, I surprisingly don’t have one! But, I’m adding one to my shopping cart as we speak.

a photo of a watermelon cantaloupe honeydew cucumber salad on a plate with

Arranging this cantaloupe cucumber salad was very fun and absolutely something your kiddos could help with! I did a mosaic pattern, which turned out super beautiful. I found that it really helped to start in the center of the platter and move outwards in circles/rings.

For garnish, I used berries and mint sprigs. Then, I added some edible flowers I had left over from a charcuterie spread I made for a party.

a close up photo of a watermelon cantaloupe cucumber salad

Recipe Substitutions and Additions

This melon salad recipe has plenty of available ingredient substitutions and additions! Here are a few suggestions:

  • Use any type of fresh cucumber for this recipe! English cucumbers, Persian cucumbers, etc. are fine.
  • Don’t have cantaloupe, honeydew and/or watermelon? Don’t worry! Any of these melons can serve as a substitute for another melon! You can do just watermelon, just honeydew, just cantaloupe or any combination of the three.
  • Omit the strawberries or substitute with blueberries, blackberries or raspberries! 
  • Substitute lemon juice, orange juice or apple cider vinegar for the lime juice in the homemade dressing. 
  • Instead of salty feta cheese, try blue cheese, gorgonzola or goat cheese crumbles or chunks!
  • Substitute fresh basil leaves or other fresh herbs for the fresh mint leaves.
  • Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the dressing for a kick of spice. You could also add a few splashes of your favorite hot sauce! I think habanero hot sauce would be especially good.
  • Add slivers of red onion to the dressing for extra crunch and tang. 
  • Feel free to add any fruit or veggie you like!

Please note that some watermelon salad recipes call for extra-virgin olive oil in the dressing. You can absolutely add a splash of it, but I really don’t think it’s necessary for this recipe.

a photo of a dish of honey and a juiced lime
a photo of a honey lime mint dressing in a bowl
a photo of mint honey lime dressing being poured over a melon salad

Serving Suggestions

Fruit salads are a great choice for summer barbecues and gatherings! This delicious cucumber cantaloupe salad will hold up well when it’s hot outside. It’s a great side dish option for the 4th of July or Labor Day parties.

For a drink, you could pair it with refreshing Cucumber Agua Fresca, Brazilian Limeade, a Cucumber Vodka Martini or my Summer Beer Cocktail!

I think the flavor of the simple dressing would make this an excellent side dish for dishes like Baked Red Snapper or Sriracha Chicken.

a horizontal photo of a cucumber melon salad on a white plate


Storing Leftover Melon Salad 

Store any leftovers in a airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. This melon salad keeps super well! The citrus juice from the lime will keep the salad fresh. But, the longer it stays in the fridge, the texture of the melons will decline a bit.

a photo of a cucumber melon salad on a round plate with

I hope that you love this beautiful summer salad! If you make it, I’d love to hear how it went in the comments below.

an overhead photo of a cucumber melon salad with watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew, cucumber, strawberry with a honey lime dressing

Cucumber Melon Salad with Mint Honey Lime Dressing

Yield: 8
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Author: Michelle Goth
This sweet melon salad recipe combines ripe melon (watermelon, cantaloupe and honeydew) with cool cucumber, feta, and a simple honey lime dressing. 
Use brick feta cheese (cut into 1-inch cubes) or crumble feta over the top!
I have made this recipe without the radish and avocado and it was still wonderful! I have plenty of suggestions above this recipe card for ingredient substitutions and additions.
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Ingredients
 

  • 1/2 watermelon, seedless
  • 1/2 honeydew melon
  • 1 cantaloupe
  • 7 ounces feta cheese, from a block not pre-cut, OR feta crumbles
  • 1/2 large cucumber
  • 8 large strawberries
  • 8 large radishes
  • 1 large avocado

For the dressing:

  • 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1/8 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/8 cup fresh mint, finely chopped

For garnish (optional):

  • 8 blackberries
  • edible flowers or mint sprigs

Equipment

Instructions
 

  • Prepare by cutting the produce and feta cheese block into bite-sized pieces, roughly 1-inch cubes. It does not have to be perfect; a little bit of variation adds to the charm! Cutting tips are below in the notes.
  • On a large serving tray, arrange the cubes. It is easier to arrange if you start in the middle and work your way out towards the edges of the plate.
  • For the dressing, add all of the ingredients into a small bowl. Whisk vigorously to combine, then pour over the top of the salad.
  • (Optional) Decorate with your chosen garnish.
  • Serve and enjoy!

Notes

As I said above, you can choose to melon ball the produce, or cut into any size chunks! You also do not have to arrange it in the mosaic pattern like I have, it's equally tasty tossed together in a large bowl. And, still very beautiful!
Cutting Tips:
Watermelon: Cut slices across the watermelon, then cut those slices into strips. Trim the rind from either end, then cut the watermelon into 1-inch cubes.
Honeydew and Cantaloupe: Halve each melon and scoop the seeds out. Cut into wedges, then slice each wedge into equal sections, 1-inch thick.
Cucumber: Cut the cucumber lengthways into 3 sections, then cut into strips with a thickness of 1-inch. Then, cut the strips into 1-inch cubes.
Strawberries and Radishes: Cut off each end (top and bottom), then trim all four sides until they are cube shaped.
Avocado: Slice the avocado in half and remove the stone and skin. Cut each half lengthways so you have 4 quarters. Cut the quarters into strips with a rough thickness of 1-inch, then cut the strips into 1- inch cubes.
Serving: 1, Calories: 289kcal, Carbohydrates: 49g, Protein: 7g, Fat: 10g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 4g, Cholesterol: 22mg, Sodium: 364mg, Potassium: 847mg, Fiber: 5g, Sugar: 40g, Vitamin A: 4165IU, Vitamin C: 68mg, Calcium: 168mg, Iron: 2mg
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Estimated reading time: 6 minutes