30 Cantaloupe Recipes That Are Ripe for Melon Season
Sure, you can toss cubes of cantaloupe in a fruit salad and call it a day. Or you can let the surprisingly versatile fruit really shine. It’s at its peak from June through August, so this summer, we’ll be using this melon in sweet and savory dishes alike. Here, 30 cantaloupe recipes—from salads to ice cream—to get your tastebuds watering.
RELATED: 32 Watermelon Recipes to Make (and Eat) All Summer
1. Cantaloupe-Mint Sorbet
What has four ingredients and tastes like the essence of sunshine? This guy. It’s reason enough alone to buy an ice-cream maker.
2. Frozen Cantaloupe Cocktail
Sweet and a little spicy, it makes those 350-degree summer days all the more bearable.
3. Melon Salad with Chili Powder, Mint, Lime and Flaky Sea Salt
If you’ve already picked a ripe cantaloupe, it doesn’t need much adornment. But a little spicy-salty action never made anything worse.
4. Fruit and Cheese Board
Wait, you’ve never heard of fruicuterie before? You’re in for a treat, even if you’re not a vegetarian.
RELATED: 15 Drop-Dead-Gorgeous Charcuterie Boards Ideas
5. Melon Caprese Skewers
Think of this recipe—courtesy of Coterie member Gaby Dalkin—as a modern take on everyone’s favorite summer salad. Salty prosciutto complements the sweet melon without being too heavy (and it doesn’t hurt that they look like little jewels).
6. The New Vegan Caesar Salad
Sure, you could make a Caesar salad with stale croutons and gloppy dressing. Or you could try this fresh vegan version with cantaloupe and marcona almonds. It’s your call.
7. Mint Jicama Cantaloupe Salad with Toasted Pepitas
FYI, you could swap the pepitas for roasted cantaloupe seeds if you wanted to get really fancy. Add a little feta and lime, and this quick side dish has it all.
8. Cantaloupe and Mozzarella Caprese Salad
Cantaloupe caprese strikes again, this time in the form of an elegant composed platter. We see an alfresco dinner party in your future.
RELATED: 16 Gorgeous Caprese Salads to Eat All Summer
9. Summer Tomato and Cantaloupe Salad
They say what grows together goes together, and in this case, whoever “they” are were right. Serve this light, ten-ingredient dish alongside some burgers and dogs.
10. Cantaloupe Ginger Cocktails
Melon, ginger and mint are a match made in barbecue heaven. And if vodka isn’t your libation of choice, we think tequila (or even gin) would work just as well.
11. Frozen Cantaloupe Margaritas
Eating a boozy frozen cantaloupe margarita straight out of a cantaloupe? We’ve officially peaked.
12. Spicy Cantaloupe Gazpacho with Corn and Pepita Salsa
Aside from being a breeze to blend together, this chilled soup only gets better as it sits in the fridge. Make it ahead of time and impress those last-minute dinner guests. (Thanks, Coterie member Jodi Moreno.)
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13. Southern Cantaloupe Prosecco Panna Cotta
Wondering what makes this creamy dessert—courtesy of Coterie member Carlene Thomas—particularly Southern? It uses buttermilk as a base, and honey in place of sugar. Don’t skimp on the fresh basil topping.
14. Salted Cantaloupe and Ginger Ice Cream
This is all we’ll be eating from now until Labor Day, thank you very much. Stocking up on cones now…
15. Peach, Melon, Basil and Burrata Salad
All the flavors of summer piled into one big bowl (with a bit of burrata for good measure). Duh we’re having seconds.
16. Summer Crostini with Prosciutto, Goat Cheese and Homemade Cantaloupe Jam
We wouldn’t tell you to make homemade jam unless it was worth it. And believe us, it is. (It’s also surprisingly easy—throw everything in a pot, simmer, then blend.)
17. Curried Cantaloupe and Toasted Coconut Ice Pops
This flavor combination sounds just crazy enough to be delicious. The spicy, nutty qualities of curry powder are an excellent complement to the musky, sweet melon.
18. Prosciutto-Wrapped Cantaloupe with Balsamic Glaze
There are few things a balsamic glaze won’t improve. This easy appetizer will convert even the most stubborn anti-cantaloupe folks. (There’s always one.)
19. Cantaloupe Lime Agua Fresca
The addition of lime and a pinch of salt keep this cooling beverage from being cloyingly sweet. It’s just like summer in a glass.
20. Summer Appetizer Platter
If you have 30 minutes, you’re *that much* closer to this snack plate. Serve it as the main course if you want; it’s that good.
21. Melon Halloumi Salad
Halloumi is a salty, melty Greek cheese that holds its shape when grilled. We love it so much (especially with cantaloupe) that we would name our firstborn after it. Kidding.
RELATED: 19 Incredible Halloumi Recipes You’ve Never Tried Before
22. Cantaloupe Fiesta Cocktail
A little cantaloupe, a little tequila (or, you know, a lot)…this is the life.
23. Berry Cantaloupe Salad
It’s a classic for a reason. Serve this at brunch or switch up your usual green salad at dinnertime.
24. Cantaloupe Daiquiris
The color alone was enough to convince us to make this drink. A splash of lime juice keeps things on the tart side.
25. Melon Basil Burrata Salad with Crispy Prosciutto
Bonus points if you can harvest the basil and tomatoes straight from your backyard garden.
26. Corn, Zucchini and Cantaloupe Salad with Prosciutto and Fresh Herbs
If you ask us, corn season is like Christmas in July—er, August. Make the most of it while you still can.
27. Fresh Cantaloupe and Cucumber Salad
Cantaloupe and onions? Trust us, it’s good. This has just the right balance of sweet and savory.
28. Melon Mosaic Salad with Hot Honey Vinaigrette
It’s almost too pretty to eat, until you hear about the hot honey vinaigrette.
RELATED: How to Pick a Ripe Watermelon Every Single Time
29. Corn, Cucumber and Cantaloupe Salsa
Looking for a change of pace alongside that bowl of tortilla chips? We found it.
30. Jerk Shrimp Tacos with Spicy Melon Salsa
We know what you’re wondering and it’s true: Everything really does taste better as a taco. Even cantaloupe.
RELATED: 76 Easy Summer Dinner Ideas That Everyone Will Love
