Summer Tomato & Cantaloupe Salad

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Bowl full of our crisp and refreshing Summer Tomato, Cucumber Cantaloupe Salad

It’s about that time of year for something fresh, summery, and light to take with you on the go.

I have just the thing. Shall we?

Halved fresh cantaloupe on a cutting board for making a refreshing vegan salad

I’ve had straight-up cantaloupe (good).
I’ve had tomato, cucumber, onion salad (also good).
But I’ve never had the two combined – until now.

I’m so happy I tried this incredibly refreshing combination. It screams warm weather and utilizes two simple dressings that come together in no time at all. In fact, this recipe requires just 10 ingredients and roughly 20 minutes to prepare. That’s fast.

Bowl with mint, onions, cucumbers, tomatoes, and cantaloupe for making a savory-sweet vegan summer salad

Crisp cucumber, onion, and tomato are mixed with a bit of oil, vinegar, salt and pepper. Done. Meanwhile, scoop your cantaloupe, toss with a lime-maple dressing, throw in some mint. Done.

Add the two together and you have the perfect side or satisfying snack on your hands.

A big bowl of our Summer Tomato, Cucumber Cantaloupe Salad

I hope you all love this salad. It’s:

Summery
Healthy
Light
Savory
Sweet
Refreshing
& So easy

This would make the perfect salad to take along to outdoor gatherings or BBQs or to serve as a side at pretty much any dinner. I think it would pair especially well with veggie burgers, portobello steaks, and pizza!

If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to take a picture and tag it #minimalistbaker on Instagram so we can see what you come up with (it’s my favorite). Cheers, friends!

Bowl of our delicious fresh Summer Tomato Cucumber Cantaloupe Salad

Summer Tomato & Cantaloupe Salad

A summery, 10-ingredient melon salad with cantaloupe and mint tossed in lime juice, paired with cucumber, tomatoes, and onion tossed in a light vinaigrette. Refreshing, fiber-rich, and so delicious.
Author Minimalist Baker
Print
Teal bowl filled with our Summer Tomato, Cucumber, and Cantaloupe Salad
5 from 19 votes
Prep Time 20 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 5 (side salads)
Course Salad, Side
Cuisine Gluten-Free, Vegan
Freezer Friendly No
Does it keep? 3 Days

Ingredients

VEGGIES

  • 1/2 cup thinly sliced cucumber
  • 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes (thinly sliced)
  • 1/4 medium red onion (thinly sliced)
  • 1 Tbsp olive or avocado oil
  • 2 tsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 healthy pinch each sea salt + black pepper

DRESSING

  • 3 Tbsp lime juice
  • 1 Tbsp maple syrup
  • 1 pinch sea salt
  • 1 Tbsp olive or avocado oil

CANTALOUPE

  • 3 heaping cups cantaloupe (cubed or scooped with a melon baller // ~1 cantaloupe as original recipe is written)
  • 2 Tbsp fresh mint

Instructions

  • Add cucumber, tomato, and onion to a small mixing bowl and top with olive oil, apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper. Toss to combine. Then taste and adjust flavor as needed, adding more vinegar for acidity or salt and pepper for flavor balance. Set in the refrigerator to chill.
  • Next, prepare dressing by adding lime juice, maple syrup, and sea salt to a small mixing bowl and whisking to combine. Then slowly stream in olive oil while whisking to combine. Taste and adjust flavor as needed, adding more lime juice for brightness/acidity, maple syrup for sweetness, or salt for flavor balance. Set aside.
  • Add cantaloupe to a large serving bowl and top with dressing. Gently toss to combine. Then add the cucumber-tomato-onion salad on top, leaving any excess liquid/dressing behind.
  • Gently toss to combine and garnish with fresh mint. Serve.
  • Best when fresh, though leftovers keep in the refrigerator up to 3 days. Leave mint on the side to keep as fresh as possible.

Notes

*Nutrition information is a rough estimate calculated using olive oil.

Nutrition (1 of 5 servings)

Serving: 1 side salads Calories: 105 Carbohydrates: 13.9 g Protein: 1.3 g Fat: 5.7 g Saturated Fat: 0.8 g Trans Fat: 0 g Cholesterol: 0 mg Sodium: 48 mg Potassium: 390 mg Fiber: 1.6 g Sugar: 11.5 g Vitamin A: 3550 IU Vitamin C: 61.9 mg Calcium: 20 mg Iron: 0.4 mg

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My Rating:




  1. Helene says

    Amazing! I used a shallot as I didn’t have red onion on hand. Added a tsp more maple syrup (because you can never have too much!) and it tastes heavenly. Best way to use my extra cantaloupe from my CSA box along with my homegrown tomatoes and cucs. Thank you thank you thank you!

    • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerSupport @ Minimalist Baker says

      We’re so glad you enjoyed it, Helene! SO fun to be able to use seasonal and homegrown produce. Thank you for the lovely review! xo

  2. Joanna says

    I’m going to make this but wonder if Pomegranate Molasses drizzle would be tasty as a simple dressing? I use it a lot and thought it would be nice and add Feta Cheese

  3. HotinTexas says

    I made this last week, and was blown away with the flavors. Making it again tonight! It will be a refreshing treat from the 102 degree temps here in Texas!

  4. Lisa says

    Delicious and so refreshing! I used a key lime infused oil in the dressing and it really gave it a nice zing!

  5. Diane M says

    I absolutely love this recipe! Often ingredients that don’t seem like they go together make excellent dishes. I used my home grown tomatoes and cucumbers before I had to resort to store bought. I deseeded and cubed those. Next summer I’ll grow cherry tomatoes and my own mint just for this dish, plus the cukes.

  6. Eva Lafleur says

    You weren’t kidding about this salad being better fresh. I was hoping to enjoy leftovers for lunch the next day but it’s absolutely terrible (mint leaves were kept separate!). For all the work put in, it’s pretty disappointing.

  7. Nicki says

    I must admit, at first I was like, “Wait, onion with cantaloupe? Eww.” But, being a follower all these years, I’ve never been let down, so I gave it a try, and…. Bam! Amazing! I never should have doubted you. I left out the mint because I forgot to pick it up at the store, but it was still awesome. I’m going to a potluck tomorrow and I’m going to make a fresh batch to take along. You are so amazingly talented.
    Thank you!!

  8. RB says

    This was worth the chopping. I made it for myself after a hike, grumbling the whole time because lord I hate chopping and I’m messy in the kitchen (can’t be helped…). The second I took the first bite I said, omfg. It truly is an outstanding salad. I added about an extra 2 tsp of apple cider vinegar and one extra part each of the dressing because I usually want more dressing than most people. Marvelous.

  9. Hzinter says

    I’m going to make this tonight and add some left-over grilled chicken I have in the fridge. Oh, and no maple syrup in the house so will try honey. AND will add the feta someone else suggested. We’ll see. Love all the ingredients, though, so I bet it will be yummy!!

  10. Molly Culver says

    I agree with others…such an interesting combo…and one I would not have thought of.
    Throughly enjoyed the results and will definitely make again!

  11. Amber Fox says

    This tastes so good! I used a melon of some sort that I got at a farmers market, its white. I really am surprised at how good this combination is. I also added grapes because I needed to finish them up. REally refreshing and good:) Thank you!

  12. Grace says

    So light and refreshing – the dressing is absolutely on point! (I used agave syrup instead of maple) Perfect combination. Thank you!

  13. Alexis says

    Made this yesterday and immediate question asked: “Will you make this for the 4th of July?” Really refreshing and yummy! Thanks for another summer staple! (My cantaloupe wasn’t even that good and the salad turned out amazing)

  14. Kara says

    I don’t love cucumbers, but this was AWESOME! It did take me a bit longer to make than the recipie says (maybe I’m just slow!), but it was well worth it! It would be a great side to take to a barbecue this summer. I had it as a light dinner along with a smoothie and it was so light and refreshing!

  15. Kara says

    I don’t love cucumbers, but this was AWESOME! It did take me a bit longer to make than the recipie says (maybe I’m just slow!), but it was well worth it! It would be a great side to take to a barbecue this summer. I had it as a light dinner along with a smoothie and it was so light and refreshing!

  16. Jessica says

    Took this to two different meals over the weekend and it was a big hit at both! So refreshing and unexpected! Who would use cantaloupe in a cucumber tomato salad! And the mint is just the right garnish.

    I didn’t realize I was down to the very end of my maple syrup and as I was making this up, I found I only had 1 Tablespoon left. So I made up a single serving’s worth of dressing and used half for each salad. It was perfect.

  17. Valentin says

    Seems so refreshing ! Summer is coming and is beginning to be felt in the plates … What a good combination. Working in an events promotion company in London, I can see that we are promoting more and more salad related food events, I like this, it means that food becomes healthier with summer.

    Valentin @ Jorlio

  18. Swati says

    Dana! I made this last night with two small differences: 1) Instead of dicing the veggies, I thinly sliced them (and also cut them up into 1 inch lengths) and 2) I added blueberries. It was AMAZING. Thanks to learning from your blog, my salads turn out so good these days- I strongly suspect that’s one big reason my boyfriend loves me :D

  19. sabrene says

    Absolutely delicious! This dish is going to be made for many summer get together’s. Thank you so much for sharing. I never thought to pair veggies with cantaloupe. Can’t wait to make this again tomorrow! The dressing with maple syrup is genius too!

  20. Sarah says

    Sounds delicious!! I’m in love with cantaloupe this season so this will definitely be added to our dinner menu this week:)

    XO – Sarah

  21. Julia @ Sprinkles & Saturdays says

    YUM! What an interested combo. I need to play around more with cantaloupe but I absolutely love all things tomato! Sounds delicious

  22. Mary says

    AMAZING combo! So fresh perfect for a side dish during long summer days! Might even bring some when I go camping!