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This Melon Salad with Prosciutto combines fresh honeydew and cantaloupe melon, veggies, prosciutto, and mozzarella with a refreshing mint apple cider vinaigrette. Packed with sweet and savory flavors, it’s the perfect addition to your summer table!
Quick to make, this melon prosciutto salad is gluten-free, grain-free, and nut-free.
The Best Prosciutto Melon Salad
I’m a huge fan of fresh melon, especially in the summer, and often put it to use in recipes like my watermelon salad and watermelon juice. However, one of my favorite ways to switch things up is with this melon prosciutto salad!
Sweet, salty, tangy, and creamy all at once, it’s so delicious, and the flavors just scream summer. There’s so much going on in such a good way! The vibrant mint really takes the flavor over the top, and the homemade dressing ties the whole thing together.
Made with simple ingredients and ready to serve in minutes, this recipe is the perfect appetizer for all your summer parties. Or, enjoy it as a light meal with a side or two. No matter what, it’s sure to leave you full and satisfied!
Ingredients Needed and Substitutions
*Scroll down to the recipe card for the full recipe and ingredient list!
Dressing
- Oil: Extra virgin olive oil forms the base of the dressing, creating a smooth consistency and adding a boost of healthy fats.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: This gives the dressing an extra kick.
- Maple Syrup: I use this to add a touch of sweetness without the need for refined sugar. If preferred honey will also work.
- Dijon Mustard: This adds depth and enhances the tangy taste.
- Mint: Use fresh mint leaves to add a vibrant, refreshing taste and tie the flavor of the dressing in with the salad.
- Salt and Pepper: Use as little or as much as you like!
Salad
- Shallot: This adds a sweet, pungent flavor. Onions will also work, but they have a slightly stronger taste.
- Arugula: We use this as the base of the salad, but you can use any greens you like best.
- Melon: Fresh cantaloupe and honeydew add lots of color, nutrients, and a sweet, refreshing taste.
- Fresh Mozzarella Balls: These add a creamy consistency and savory, salty flavor. Feel free to experiment with any cheese you like best! Feta cheese makes a great substitution.
- Avocado: Fresh avocado contributes to the creamy texture and adds even more healthy fats.
- Mint: Don’t skip these! They tie all the ingredients together, creating a sweet, vibrant flavor.
Health Benefits of Melons
Obviously they’re delicious, but fresh melons are also full of health benefits, too! For instance, fresh melons are:
- Low in calories and fat
- An excellent source of vitamins like vitamin C and vitamin A
- A good source of fiber
How to Make This Easy Melon Salad Recipe
- Prepare the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk all the salad dressing ingredients until smooth. Adjust the seasonings as needed.
- Assemble the salad: Arrange all the salad ingredients on a serving platter, or transfer them to a large bowl. Then, drizzle half of the prepared dressing on top.
- Serve: Enjoy your salad right away, and serve the remaining dressing on the side!
How to Clean Melons
Make sure to clean your melons before you start cutting them! While we aren’t eating the skins, they can contain harmful germs that cling to the knife and transfer to the fruit flesh as you cut.
To eliminate this risk, simply scrub the melons with a vegetable brush and warm water just like you would clean potatoes. Then, pat them dry, and slice! Or, use a melon baller to create fun shapes with the different types of melons.
FAQs
Once assembled, this melon salad is best served right away. However, you can prepare the different components in advance!
Whisk the dressing, and store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Then, slice the fruit, sprinkle it with lemon juice or lime juice, and store it in a separate container for up to 3-5 days. When you’re ready to eat, just combine all the ingredients, and your salad will be ready in minutes.
I love to serve this recipe as an appetizer with main courses like 3-ingredient Dijon salmon and grilled chicken thighs. However, it’s also great as a main course with a side of gluten-free garlic bread!
Feel free to mix and match any ingredients you like best. Some of my favorite additions include pickled red onions, chopped pistachios, chopped almonds, and cucumber.
More Summer Salad Recipes You’ll Love
- Tomato Cucumber Salad with Crispy Chickpeas (& Green Yogurt Dressing)
- Gluten-Free BLT Pasta Salad
- Watermelon Ahi Tuna Salad
- Mexican Street Corn Salad
- TikTok Cucumber and Sweet Pepper Salad
- My Go-To Potuck Sweet Cucumber Salad
Melon Salad with Prosciutto
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 Tablespoons maple syrup or honey add more to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon dijon mustard more to taste
- 1 teaspoon finely chopped mint
- big pinch of salt and big pinch of pepper
- 1 shallot minced
- 2 cups fresh arugula
- 1 cantaloupe sliced into half moons or cubed
- 1 honeydew melon diced
- 1 8- ounce container small mozzarella balls
- 15-20 slices prosciutto
- 1 avocado sliced
- 1/4 cup mint leaves thinly sliced
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together the salad dressing ingredients. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, 3 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar, 1 Tablespoons maple syrup or honey, 1/2 teaspoon dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon finely chopped mint, big pinch of salt and big pinch of pepper, 1 shallot
- Assemble all salad ingredients on a serving platter.2 cups fresh arugula, 1 cantaloupe, 1 honeydew melon, 1 8- ounce container small mozzarella balls, 15-20 slices prosciutto, 1 avocado, 1/4 cup mint leaves
- Drizzle 1/2 of dressing over salad right before serving serve with more dressing on the side!
I made this and it is nothing short of amazing. I stuffed myself. I didn’t need a whole cantaloupe and honeydew each. I probably used 1/4 of both. Plenty of leftover melon so I can make the salad again and again. Win/win. Thank you for this perfect summer salad recipe!
I love all of Lexi’s recipes! She is my go to for healthy and flavorful food with options for dairy free, gluten free, etc. I made the melon salad this weekend and it was the perfect summer salad! Light and refreshing but also totally satisfying. Definitely making this again!
Yay! Thanks for stopping by and letting us know! So happy to hear!
Just amazing, we enjoyed this salad immensely. A feast in every bite, scrumptious!
I would love to try these containers. Are they as good as glass? I’m gonna make this salad today! YUMMY
This is perfect since I am growing French Melons!