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Want a gorgeous salad for brunch, lunch, or dinner? Try this stunning and different Caprese Melon Salad that is bursting with fresh melon, mozzarella balls, basil, and a gorgeous lime honey dressing. Perfect as a summer salad but also gorgeous for birthday parties, weddings and baby showers, and more.

Want more melon recipes, then try our Watermelon Feta Skewers for a delicious appetizer too. It is like a Watermelon Salad with Feta Cheese on a skewer. Completely grabbable and perfect for gatherings. Or also try our new fruit salad recipe for an amazing side dish too for any time. Or try our Tomato Burrata Salad for another great summer salad.

Close-up of Caprese Melon Salad on a platter.

Helpful Items for This Recipe

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2 Pack Double Ended Headed Fruit Icecream Ball Spoon, Stainless Steel

Mixing Bowls with Airtight Lids, 6-piece, Stainless Steel

Chef Knife Set with Knife Sharpener, Set of 4

Horizontal photo of melon salad on a platter.

What is in Caprese Melon Salad?

Instead of watermelon and cucumber or a melon salad with feta, this salad recipe plays up the combination in a simple caprese salad. It substitutes juicy melons for the tomatoes instead, but it still captures the sweet and salty that is so loved with feta cheese and juicy watermelon salad but with mozzarella cheese instead. See the variations we have for you in our recipe pro tips too.

The salad dressing is easy and has the perfect combination of lime juice and honey to make the ripe melons come alive.

Ingredients

Cantaloupe – Find one that is nice and ripe by smelling and pressing the end to see if it gives slightly. You can also use a honeydew too.

Fresh Basil minced plus more for garnish – This creates the flavor that the rest of the fruit and cheese rely on.

Fresh Mozzarella Balls – These are usually found in tubs and are called bocconcini or fresh mozzarella balls.

Watermelon – Seedless is the best, which are usually found as small watermelons.

Lime Dressing

Extra Virgin Olive Oil – You want to use good quality olive oil here as there are only a few ingredients, and each will shine through.

Black Pepper, freshly ground – Always freshly ground, in my opinion.

Kosher Salt – Kosher or sea salt is perfect for this salad.

Juice of 2 limes – Lime just wakes up all the ingredients and marries perfectly with the honey.

Zest one lime, plus more for garnish – Zest adds more flavor and looks pretty too.

Honey – Honey is an essential part of the dressing and adds just the right amount of sweetness.

How to Make Caprese Melon Salad

This salad is very easy to make; it only has four ingredients plus the dressing. You will have this whipped up in no time, yet the presentation looks gourmet.

In a small bowl, combine all of your dressing ingredients and set aside.

Using your melon baller, cut out small spheres of watermelon and cantaloupe. You can use a small melon baller or a big one, based on your preference.

In a large bowl, add melon balls, mozzarella balls, and dressing. Toss gently to combine. Add in your fresh basil and toss again.

Top with more basil, lime zest, and dressing if desired.

How to cut Melon for Fruit Salad

If you don’t have a melon baller and don’t want to invest in one, you can cut the melon, also. It is not as pretty, in my opinion, and less messy to create but tastes the same.

For a honeydew or cantaloupe, cut the melon in half from the top end to the bottom end and remove the seeds.

Slice the melon into long slices and then each slice into small bite-sized sections. Run your knife between the peel and the melon flesh, avoiding the green or white rind, and peel to get the best part of the melon.

Recipe Pro Tips!

How can I store the salad?

You can store it in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes. You can make the dressing ahead of time, form the melon balls, and place them all separately in the fridge. Combine up to 1 hour before serving.

Are there any substitutions I can make?

Yes! You can add in fresh mint with or instead of the basil. You can also use honeydew instead of cantaloupe or watermelon or add it in. Maple syrup makes a great substitution for honey in the dressing. If you would like, you can add in small bites of prosciutto too, which just amps up that salt-to-sweet ratio.

Can I serve this in other ways?

Yes! You can serve this in a bowl or in individual glasses for a cute presentation.

Square photo of melon salad on a platter.

WANT MORE DELICIOUS SUMMER SALADS?

How we love a great salad here in our house!! Here are some of our favorites for summer, but they really can be enjoyed any time. Crunchy, creamy, dreamy, we got them all.

Pin it HERE!!

Pin it HERE!!