Melon Caprese Salad.
Sweet cantaloupe, honeydew, and watermelon make up this untraditional caprese salad. Tossed with a basil infused lemon vinaigrette and finished off with fresh burrata cheese, this melon caprese salad is the perfect light, refreshing, and delicious appetizer or snack. Fresh fruit, buratta, and prosciutto? Yes, please.
Hey, hi all the way from the Caribbean. I’m here on holiday with my family (do you say vacation or holiday? Everyone we are here with says holiday and I’m kind of liking it). As I type this I’m sitting in eighty plus degree temperatures, surrounded by incredibly blue waters. Those tropical destinations I always say I’m dreaming of…I’m here.
But as much as I would love to sit here and tell you all about our trip, I’m going to save that for Sunday’s post, and jump into this caprese salad. If you’re curious about what we are up to, follow along on Instagram.
Isn’t this the prettiest caprese salad? I’m in love with its colors, and of course its flavors. Traditionally caprese salad has tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella, but seeing as our summer heirloom tomatoes have not yet arrived in Colorado, I decided to do something a little different, but still very Italian.
While I may be in the Caribbean right now, I’m making a mental note that my next holiday needs to be spent in Italy experiencing the incredible pizza, pasta, wines, and um yes, most definitely burrata. Because as you all know, I am obsessed with burrata.
The pairing of fresh melon and prosciutto is actually very common in Italy. If you’ve ever traveled there, then you’ve most likely experienced this for yourself.
In Italy, they’ll wrap fresh prosciutto around wedges of melon. And while I may not have tried this delicious combo in Italy, I have tried it here. The blend of salty prosciutto to sweet melon is beyond delicious.
I took this very same idea, and turned it into a caprese salad with burrata cheese. I then topped it with a vinaigrette mix made with a herb and honey infused olive sauce/vinaigrette. It’s incredible simple, but so good, so pretty. My ideal kind of dinner…I mean, snack or appetizer.
But if I’m being honest, I could totally eat this for dinner, with maybe an extra side of burrata and melon, ok and basil.
So let’s talk details.
For one, you need some good melons. I used a mix of watermelon, cantaloupe, and honeydew. You can use just one or all three, but I loved the variety of colors that comes from using all three. It makes for a very pretty salad.
Next up, the burrata. If you ask me, you have to use burrata. It’s creamy, buttery, and probably one of my favorite cheeses. It takes this caprese salad to a whole new level. Everyone always asks where they can find burrata, but it’s pretty commonly found in most grocery stores, as well as Whole Food and Trader Joe’s. If you can’t find it, try asking your grocery store to special order it for you. Most of the time they will do this no problem and free of charge. And if all else fails, use fresh mozzarella, that will be great too!
OK, and moving on from the cheese to the fresh basil!
No caprese salad is complete without fresh basil. I used both fresh basil and mint for more of an herby caprese salad. I also made a sweeter honey basil sauce to drizzle over thew caprese just before serving. It’s not a complete must to make this sauce, but it does add yet another layer of flavor, and makes for an extra special caprese.
When I made this salad the other week, I could not wait to share it with you all. I know it’s super simple, but it includes some of my favorite ingredients and will be great for any upcoming 4th of July parties, and every other summer party that follows.
What’s great about this caprese, is that you can make everything ahead of time and keep the salad stored in the fridge until you are ready to serve. I like to drizzle the sauce over just before serving to ensure the melon and herbs don’t get too soggy while they sit.
However you decide to serve this up, I’m pretty sure it’s going to be loved by all. There’s not much to dislike about fresh fruit, cheese, and basil.
And of course, if you’re like me, you can also easily serve this up as a dinner. Maybe adding a side of grilled bread…
Yes, that would be great!
If you make this melon caprese salad, please be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! I love hearing from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every one of you. Oh, and of course, if you do make this easy, caprese salad, don’t forget to also tag me on Instagram so I can see! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Melon Caprese Salad
By halfbakedharvest
Course: Salad
Cuisine: American, Italian
Keyword: appetiser, fruit salad, melon salad
Sweet cantaloupe, honeydew, and watermelon make up this untraditional caprese salad. Tossed with a basil infused lemon vinaigrette and finished off with fresh burrata cheese, this melon caprese salad is the perfect light, refreshing, and delicious appetizer or snack.
Ingredients
- 3 balls fresh burrata cheese
- 4 cups melon balls (I used watermelon, cantaloupe, and honeydew)
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves
- 2 tablespoons fresh mint leaves
- 6 slices prosciutto
Honey Herb Vinaigrette
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons honey
- juice of 1 lemon
- 1 tablespoon white balsamic vinegar
- 1 cup fresh basil
- 1 tablespoon toasted pine nuts
- 1 pinch flaky sea salt.
Instructions
-
1. Break the burrata in half and place each half in the bottom of a small bowl or glass (about 8 ounces). Over the burrata, layer the melon balls, basil, and mint. Top with a slice of prosciutto.
2. At this point the salad can be covered and placed in the fridge for up to 6 hours.
3. Before serving, drizzle over the vinaigrette (recipe follows).
4. To make the vinaigrette, combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.
Our Favorite Recipes
Strawberry Melon Elderflower Pimms Cup.
Enjoy the holidays! Love your Caprese twist !
Thank you!!
I am always so excited about your homemade vinaigrette and salad dressings!! I have fresh basil from my garden to use…so this is perfect!
Yes so perfect! I hope you absolutely love this Brittany!
Stunning food photography! I love c antelope and burrata is my all time favorite. I will so be making this over the summer now that fruit is in season!! =)
Thank you so much Melanie!
Enjoy your trip! It sounds fabulous — and I agree that “holiday” sounds way fancier than “vacation” for whatever reason. This looks amazing and your presentation is fabulous — what a great appetizer and it reminds me of the Tasting Party sets I bought a few years ago and need to dig back out!
Thank you Carissa! I am so glad you like this!
What a beautiful looking salad! I wanted to tell you, I made pitas from the recipe on your site for a family gathering this past weekend and they were a huge hit!
Here in Canada, we usually say ‘holiday’, as did our next-door neighbours who were from England, Our American friends tend to say ‘vacation’.
I am so glad you loved the pitas! Thank you Carolynn!
What a great way to serve a salad. Gorgeous!! Have a great time with family, loving all your stories on insta.
Thank you Asha!
good thinking! traditional cabrese can sometimes be a little bland with pale tomatoes that aren’t very flavorful, so fresh fruit makes so much more sense and yes of course burrata always appreciated, thank you
Thank you Sabrina!
You had me at burrata – this is the most perfect summer salad! 🙂
Thank you Laura!
I love burrata! So creamy and delicious.
I really like this version of the caprese, great job!
Thank you Maëva!
Me encanta la receta!!! A pesar de estar en Noruega y que el clima no es el del Caribe, me gustan tus recetas!!
Thank you!
Made the caprese fruit salad without the meat for a family gathering today and it was well received, even converted a non-melon eater. Great vinagerette.
I am so glad to hear that! Thank you Vickie!
Omg u did it again. Made this lil beauty last night as an appetizer n boyfriend loved it n he usually dowsnt care for pretty lil dishes like this but he was thoroughly impressed. So refreshing n light. Will definitely save this for summer entertaining. Thx so much AGAIN ???
I am so glad you both loved this!! Thank you Lucy!
I love watermelon with caprese salad and I love prosciutto with cantaloupe so all of that together sounds amazing! You are so creative! That honey herb vinaigrette sounds perfect 🙂
Thank you Lauren!
Made this 2x’s already, as a appetizer to rave reviews!! Everone loved and thought unique to each have their own little glass. I added strawberries once and fresh blueberries next…..both very good. Great summer patio appetizer or salad when fruit at its best…..
Thanks for the inspiration!
That is so amazing! Thank you so much Nancy!
A lovely fresh + unique salad! It was easy to whip up and so tasy!
Thank you so much Emma! I am so glad you loved this salad!
This salad looks amazing, what are the white edible flowers that you used to garnish?
HI! The white flowers are white lilacs. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe. Thanks so much and happy Holidays!! xTieghan ?
This sounds perfect!
Is the vinaigrette actually the Strawberry Melon Elderberry Pimms Cup???
Thanks!
Sorry,
My mistake about the vinaigrette!! Please don’t post!
Hi Lisa! Glad you figured it out! I hope you love this! xTieghan
Loved this combination of flavors. The sauce is outstanding!
Hey Swede,
Thanks so much! I am so glad the recipe was enjoyed, thanks for making it! xTieghan