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.
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.
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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
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.
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.
- To a serving platter layer watermelon, honeydew, and cantaloupe balls. Drizzle the dressing over.
- Garnish with mint and enjoy! You can make this salad a couple of hours before serving, refrigerate and allow the flavors to soak in.
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:
Recipe
Melon Salad with Lemon Ginger Dressing
Equipment
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!