Sunny Summer Melon and Mozzarella Salad Recipe: Fresh Joy

Summer’s bounty bursts with refreshing potential in this vibrant melon and mozzarella salad that dances between sweet and savory.

Crisp, juicy melon chunks mingle with creamy mozzarella pearls, creating a harmonious blend of textures.

Fragrant herbs and a whisper of olive oil enhance each delightful bite.

Stunning colors populate the plate, promising a light and satisfying dish.

Cool, elegant, and incredibly simple to assemble, this salad offers a gourmet experience with minimal effort.

The combination speaks to laid-back Mediterranean dining, where fresh ingredients shine brightest.

Grab those seasonal melons and let’s craft a memorable summer meal that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time:

Total Time: 20 minutes

Calories: 200 kcal

Servings: 5

Melon and Mozzarella Salad Ingredient Checklist

• Melon: Sweet summer star that brings juicy, refreshing texture and delicate spherical shape when scooped into perfect balls.
• Nectarines: Smooth-skinned stone fruit offering vibrant sweetness and soft, tender bite with option to keep or remove delicate skin.
• Cucumbers: Crisp, cool vegetable providing elegant crunch and light base for layering other ingredients with versatile slicing options.

• Mozzarella: Creamy, soft Italian cheese that adds rich, delicate flavor and soft texture when torn into rustic pieces.

• Olive Oil: Smooth liquid that blends flavors and creates silky coating for salad components.
• Vinegar: Sharp ingredient that balances sweetness and adds bright, tangy undertone to the overall dish.
• Black Pepper: Warm, spicy seasoning that enhances other ingredients with subtle heat.
• Fleur de Sel: Delicate, premium sea salt that provides gentle crunch and pure mineral taste.
• Fresh Mint: Aromatic herb that delivers cool, refreshing finish and visual green accent.

Kitchen Tools for Melon and Mozzarella Salad

• Parisian Scoop: Essential for creating perfect round melon balls.
• Mandoline: Ideal for slicing cucumbers into thin, elegant ribbons.
• Sharp Knife: Needed for cutting melon, cucumber, and nectarine ends.
• Cutting Board: Provides a stable surface for all ingredient preparation.
• Small Mixing Bowl: Perfect for whisking together olive oil and vinegar dressing.
• Serving Plates: Allows for beautiful salad presentation and assembly.

Preparing Melon and Mozzarella Salad – A Quick Guide

• Melon Magic Preparation

Carefully transform the melon into delicate, spherical jewels using a specialized scoop, revealing its sweet, juicy core.

• Cucumber Canvas

Craft elegant, translucent cucumber ribbons that will serve as a delicate foundation for the salad’s vibrant layers.

• Nectarine Elegance

Gently slice the nectarines, allowing their golden-sunset hues to add warm tones to the dish.

• Flavor Symphony

Create a light, zesty vinaigrette that will dance across the ingredients, connecting each element with bright, tangy notes.

• Artistic Composition

Arrange the cucumber base with a graceful touch, layering nectarine slices, scattered melon orbs, and delicate mozzarella fragments.

• Final Flourish

Sprinkle a whisper of black pepper, crown with a delicate salt kiss, and shower with fresh mint leaves to elevate the sensory experience.

Add a Twist to Melon and Mozzarella Salad

• Replace nectarines with peaches, plums, or even watermelon to create seasonal variations that keep the salad exciting and adaptable throughout the year.
• Try alternative herbs like basil, tarragon, or chervil instead of mint to introduce different flavor profiles and complement the delicate cheese and fruit combination.
• Substitute mozzarella with burrata for a creamier texture or goat cheese for a tangier bite, allowing you to customize the salad's richness and taste.
• Sprinkle toasted pine nuts, sliced almonds, or pumpkin seeds over the salad to add a delightful textural contrast and nutty complexity to the fresh ingredients.

Melon & Mozzarella Salad: Serving Inspiration

• Elevate the Plate Presentation: Arrange the salad on a large, white ceramic platter to make the vibrant colors pop and create a stunning visual appeal.
• Pair with Crisp Companions: Serve alongside toasted ciabatta or rustic sourdough bread to soak up the delicious vinaigrette and add a delightful crunch.
• Wine and Dine Combo: Complement the light, refreshing salad with a chilled glass of crisp pinot grigio or a sparkling rosé for a perfect summer meal experience.
• Create a Summer Spread: Transform this salad into a complete light lunch by adding prosciutto slices or grilled shrimp for extra protein and depth of flavor.

How to Store Melon and Mozzarella Salad Properly

• Refrigerate Quickly: Store the salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days to maintain freshness and prevent ingredient degradation.
• Separate Ingredients: Keep the dressing in a separate sealed container to prevent soggy cucumbers and melon, ensuring crisp textures when serving.
• Prep Smartly: Chop mozzarella, slice nectarines, and create melon balls just before serving to preserve their vibrant flavors and optimal texture.
• Serve Chilled: Enjoy the salad within a few hours of preparation for the best taste, letting the ingredients shine with their natural, refreshing qualities.

Crisp Melon And Mozzarella Salad

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4.7 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Refreshing summer bliss emerges through this melon and mozzarella salad, highlighting Mediterranean flavor profiles. Crisp melon slices pair beautifully with creamy mozzarella, delivering a simple yet elegant dish you’ll crave all season long.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 250 g (8.8 oz) buffalo mozzarella (ovoline)
• 1 melon
• 2 nectarines
• 2 mini cucumbers (or 1 regular cucumber)
• 2 tbsps olive oil
• 1 tbsp white balsamic vinegar (or regular balsamic)
• 2 pinches of Espelette chili pepper fleur de sel (or regular fleur de sel)
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Fresh mint (or fresh basil)

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Instructions

1. Melon Preparation: Halve the cantaloupe or honeydew melon, remove seeds, and create melon balls using a Parisian scoop.
2. Cucumber and Nectarine Technique: Slice cucumber into thin ribbons or rounds with a mandoline, and cut nectarines into elegant wedges.
3. Vinaigrette Creation: Whisk extra virgin olive oil and vinegar until smoothly emulsified, ensuring a balanced and cohesive dressing.
4. Salad Assembly: Layer cucumber ribbons as a foundation, then strategically arrange nectarine slices and scattered melon balls for visual appeal.
5. Cheese and Seasoning: Tear mozzarella into rustic chunks, distributing across the salad, then season with cracked black pepper and fleur de sel.
6. Final Flourish: Gently drizzle prepared vinaigrette over the composed salad, allowing the dressing to weave between ingredients, and garnish with fresh mint leaves for an aromatic finish.

Notes

• Melon Ball Mastery: Use a chilled Parisian scoop for perfectly round, uniform melon spheres that enhance the salad’s visual appeal and texture.
• Cucumber Cutting Technique: Mandoline slicers create paper-thin, translucent ribbons that add an elegant, delicate layer to the salad’s presentation.
• Vinaigrette Vital Tips: Whisk oil and vinegar thoroughly to create a smooth emulsion that coats ingredients evenly without pooling at the bottom.
• Fresh Herb Finishing: Tear mint leaves just before serving to release maximum aromatic oils and preserve their vibrant green color and fresh flavor.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: None
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 200
• Sugar: 7 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 8 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg