• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Ministry of Curry logo

  • SHOP
    • Amazon Store
    • Cookbook
    • eBooks
    • Cooking Classes
    • Meal Plans
  • RESOURCES
    • Instant Pot 101
    • Air Fryer 101
    • Indian Cooking Tools
    • Cooking 101
    • Essential Indian Spices
    • Guide to Beans and Lentils
    • Holiday Shopping Guide
  • RECIPES
    • Recipe Index
    • Air Fryer Recipes
    • Instant Pot Recipes
    • Oven Recipes
    • Stove Top Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Desserts
    • Dinner
    • Salad
    • Snacks
    • Drinks
    • Dairy Free
    • Gluten Free
    • Low Carb
    • Vegan
  • ABOUT
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • Shop
  • Resources
  • Cooking Classes
  • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Desserts

    Melon Salad with Lemon, Ginger Dressing

    Published: May 26, 2021 · Modified: May 26, 2021 by Archana · This post may contain affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases · Leave a Comment

    187 shares
    Jump to Recipe

    Fresh Watermelon, Cantaloupe, and Honeydew salad make a pretty pastel rainbow with pops of vibrant green fresh mint—an eye-catching presentation. Melon’s unique floral and ambrosial sweetness is elevated by the zesty Lemon-Ginger-Honey dressing making a humble fruit salad into an unforgettable dish. This seasonal salad is a welcome treat at any event.

    melon balls salad in a large heart shaped platter

    When the temperature outside goes up, it’s time for recipes that can cool you down. A bite of this beautifully refreshing Melon Ball Salad feels like a crisp delicious breeze. Ripe whole melons are easy to find in season from late spring to early fall.  

    Jump to:
    • Why Melon
    • The Story of a Family Recipe and a Simple Kitchen Tool
    • Easy and Kid Friendly Recipe
    • The Dressing
    • EASY Steps
    • Tips
    • When to Serve
    • Recipe

    Why Melon

    • Melons are juicy, but hardy enough to keep their shape and texture in this dish whereas other fresh fruits would become soggy
    • The high water content makes them particularly refreshing and they chill very well
    • They absorb the lemon-ginger-honey dressing beautifully as it enhances the natural sweetness of the melon
    • Melon balls work so well because they make a uniform presentation in shape and size and can equally take in the zesty dressing
    melon salad in a glass triffle bowl

    The Story of a Family Recipe and a Simple Kitchen Tool

    When mom and dad visited the US in the early 80’s they brought home some cool little kitchen gadgets and a melon baller was one. Growing up mom always used her melon baller to make this fruit salad. Back in those days, I don't think many people in India knew about this little tool, so family and friends always loved when she served them her perfectly shaped melon salad. The best part of the fruit salad, her lemon ginger dressing, elevated the natural sweetness of the melon. This throwback technique makes a classic dish that tastes as new, fresh, and delicious today as it did back then. This melon salad is so easy to prepare but makes everyone who tries it feel like a special guest.❤️

    Easy and Kid Friendly Recipe

    Get the kids involved in making this Melon Ball Salad. I used to love helping my mom, delighting in using this cool gadget to make perfectly shaped melon balls. They can help mix the dressing and scatter the fresh mint, feeling included and proud to serve their creation.

    The Dressing

    Lemon, Ginger, Honey and Mint is a lively combination bringing together sweet, sour, zesty, and fresh flavors. This simple but bold dressing brightens up the fruit salad enhancing the natural sweetness of the melon. The mint adds a pop of icy cool freshness making this dish a summer staple.

    *Tip: the dressing gives a flavor boost to melon that may not be as sweet or ripe as you’d like. You can adjust the sweetness of the dressing by adding more or less honey based on the sweetness of the fruit.

    photos one through four of making lemon ginger dressing

    EASY Steps

    Make melon balls using a melon baller with watermelon, honeydew and cantaloupe. Save any scraps to make juice. To a serving platter layer watermelon, honeydew and cantaloupe balls.

    photos five through eight showing scooped melon balls
    • To a serving platter layer watermelon, honeydew, and cantaloupe balls. Drizzle the dressing over.
    photos nine through twelve showing how to assemble melon balls salad
    • Garnish with mint and enjoy! You can make this salad a couple of hours before serving, refrigerate and allow the flavors to soak in.
    photos thirteen and fourteen showing garnished melon salad

    Tips

    • Make sure to use fresh ginger and lemon juice
    • Don't have a melon baller, cut the melons into cubes with a knife. The lemon ginger dressing is not to be missed.
    • Wondering what to do with the leftover melon after scooping out balls for the salad? Use scraps to make fresh juice or blend into smoothies!

    When to Serve

    Melon Ball Salad with Lemon-Ginger-Honey and Mint dressing is made for brunches and potlucks! Effortlessly fancy fruit salad is perfect for Holidays and Special Events. We’ll be serving this for Memorial Day, Fourth of July, summer parties, family get-togethers, and taking some on picnics. We also love this chilled melon salad with dressing as a light  but satisfying dessert, especially when grilling and eating outside.

    Here is a easy meal idea to serve up a big crowd that can be made ahead:

    • Aloo Chat or Mushroom Tartlets
    • Paneer Kathi Rolls or Chicken Kathi Rolls
    • Arugula Salad or Fiesta Salad
    • Paneer Tikka or Chilli Chicken

    Did you enjoy this easy dessert that is healthy and crowd-friendly too? Here are some more no-cook desserts to try:

    • Raspberry Triffle
    • Mango Popsicles
    • Rose Falooda

    Recipe

    Tried this recipe? We love your feedback.Please click on the stars in the recipe card below
    melon balls in three small plates
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
    5 from 1 vote

    Melon Salad with Lemon Ginger Dressing

    Fresh Watermelon, Cantaloupe, and Honeydew salad make a pretty pastel rainbow with pops of vibrant green fresh mint—an eye-catching presentation. Melon’s unique floral and ambrosial sweetness is elevated by the zesty Lemon-Ginger-Honey dressing making a humble fruit salad into an unforgettable dish. This seasonal salad is a welcome treat at any event.
    Prep Time20 mins
    Total Time20 mins
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 8
    Calories: 81kcal
    Author: Archana Mundhe

    Equipment

    • Melon Baller

    Ingredients

    • 3 cups watermelon balls
    • 3 cups cantaloupe balls
    • 3 cups honeydew balls
    • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
    • 4 inch ginger root 2 tablespoons juice
    • 2 tablespoons honey
    • ¼ cup mint leaves chopped
    • ½ teaspoon kosher salt or chat masala

    Instructions

    • Grate fresh ginger. Press it down in a small strainer to get juices out - about 2 tablespoons of juice. Save the ginger bits and use it in ginger chai.
    • In a small bowl whisk together lemon juice, ginger juice, honey and salt. Reserve.
    • Make melon balls using a melon baller with watermelon, honeydew and cantaloupe. Save any scraps to make juice or smoothies. To a serving platter layer watermelon, honeydew and cantaloupe balls.
    • Drizzle the dressing over and garnish with mint.

    Video

    Notes

    • Make sure to use fresh ginger and lemon juice
    • Don't have a melon baller, cut the melons into cubes with a knife. 
    • Wondering what to do with the leftover melon after scooping out balls for the salad? Use scraps to make fresh juice or blend into smoothies!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 81kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 168mg | Potassium: 400mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 18g | Vitamin A: 2446IU | Vitamin C: 41mg | Calcium: 19mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Share your photo and tag @ministry_of_curry or tag #ministryofcurry

    Author: Archana

    Hey there! I am a techie turned recipe developer, cooking instructor, and food blogger. I love food and enjoy developing easy and healthy recipes for busy lifestyles. I live in New Jersey with my husband and two sons.
    Twitter Facebook Linkedin
    « Idli | Savory Rice & Lentil Cakes
    Chicken Shawarma »

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Archana: a former software engineer, now a full-time blogger. I am a mother of two boys who share my love for food and cooking. Words I love to hear are, “Mom, what’s for dinner?” The same words I say to my mom every time we speak. I live in the greater New York City Area with my husband and sons.

    Learn More About Me!

    Archana's Essential Indian Instant Pot Cookbook

    SHOP

    Popular Posts

    • Mumbai Pav Bhaji
    • Instant Pot Chicken Biryani
    • Mushroom Masala
    • Homemade Pomegranate Juice

    Footer

    AS FEATURED IN

    ↑Back to Top

    Ministry of Curry

    Shop
    About
    Privacy Policy
    Accessibility
    Contact

    Food and Recipes

    Recipe Index
    Cooking 101
    Instant Pot 101
    Cookbook

    MOC Pro

    Dashboard
    Meal Plans
    Virtual Cooking Classes
    Tips & Tricks

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2021 Ministry of Curry

    187 shares
    • 53