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?
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.
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.
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!
Summer Tomato & Cantaloupe Salad
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.
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!
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
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
That sounds lovely! Let us know if you try it, Joanna!
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!
We’re so glad you’re enjoying the recipe! Stay cool! xo
Lisa says
Delicious and so refreshing! I used a key lime infused oil in the dressing and it really gave it a nice zing!
That addition sounds amazing! Thank you for sharing, Lisa! xo
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.
We’re so glad you enjoyed it, Diane. Thanks so much for the lovely review! xo
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.
Hmm, did it taste ok fresh? I’m wondering if something went wrong?
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!!
Aww thanks so much, Nikki! So glad you enjoyed it! xo
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.
Whoop! We are glad to hear that!
Helen says
WE LOVED IT! I added some left-over grilled chicken cut up and it was all marvelous. Thank you! A big WOW!
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!!
We hope you love it!
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!
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!
Grace says
So light and refreshing – the dressing is absolutely on point! (I used agave syrup instead of maple) Perfect combination. Thank you!
RachelFoodieGirl says
This looks fab! Will by trying this for a potluck picnic next week!
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)
Platt College says
This is a great alternative to the traditional house salad. And so summer!
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!
Lovely! Thanks for sharing, Kara!
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!
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.
Lovely! thanks for sharing!!
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
mirriam ndunge says
yummy!thanks for sharing
Lauren Gaskill | Making Life Sweet says
I’m loving the mint in this! So fresh and perfect for summer. Pinning!
Cocoswan says
I made this morning!! I didn’t have cucumber so I subbed in carrots and beets! Yummy!!
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
Lovely! Thanks for sharing, Swati!
Izzy Bruning says
Mmmm wow looks delicious!
Izzy
Angie says
Nice salad combination to mix with cantaloupe! My favorite thing about summer is fresh fruit.
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!
Sarah Mullins says
I love this recipe! I am so trying this tonight! Thank you for the inspiration!
XOXO-
Sarah
Jane says
We had this tonight. Brilliant. Sweet, savoury, lovely and fresh-tasting. An instant hit.
Jessica says
Seems like such a nice recipe! x
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
Sarah | Well and Full says
This looks amazing, Dana! I’m a sucker for anything with fresh cantaloupe :)
Amina says
Summer in a bowl!
Cécile says
Yum! I added pine nuts and feta cheese :)
Lovely additions!
Aleksandra says
Had something very similar today, just with mango instead, I confirm, delicious :)
Ha! Nice. Thanks for sharing, Aleksandra!
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
Mary says
AMAZING combo! So fresh perfect for a side dish during long summer days! Might even bring some when I go camping!