Best Chili-Lime Melon Salad Recipe

Looking for a delicious variation to accompany your burgers at your next barbecue? Look no further than our fabulous Melon Salad, which infuses Mexican flavors into a fruit salad bursting with personality. This unique salsa-style salad adds a refreshing and vibrant touch to any meal you serve. You may be thinking, “Should I forgo the spices?”. Well, you certainly can, but believe us, you’d be missing out! The juicy sweetness of the melon harmonizes perfectly with the lightness of the chillies, a winning combination dear to a country that knows how to savour flavours while staying fresh.

detail of melon salad with chili, lime and cilantro.

Melon salad ingredients

the melon

Where to start? There are so many classic varieties of melons, with new (and heirloom) varieties available, depending on where you live, so check out those farmers markets!
used to seedless watermelon, honeydew, Cantaloupeand tuscan melonbecause that’s what they had in my supermarket and I like the color combination.
You don’t have to mix your melons for this salad, a single variety can be just as effective and delicious. take a look at me watermelon sauce for inspiration

lime

fresh lemon juice is the ‘dressing’ for this salad. The acidity of the lime balances the sweetness of the melon. No oil is needed, so this is a low-calorie side dish option.

Red onion

the slight sharpness of the onion complements the honeydew. If you find the taste of raw onion too strong, you can soak the sliced onions in cold water for a few minutes to soften their flavor.

jalapeno (optional)

You know me, I’ll add jalapeno to almost anything, but here it makes a lot of sense. Remember that jalapenos aren’t very hot, but their flavorful warmth gives a nice depth to the salad.

cilantro

Are there any more polarizing ingredients? If you love it, you’ll understand what he’s doing here. If you hate it, leave it out and substitute fresh mint.

ground chili

You want real ground chili, which are simply dried chiles, ground into a powder. It can be mild or spicy, depending on the variety you buy. I used chipotle chili powder, which is spicy. But I only add half a teaspoon, so don’t be afraid of it.

melon salad in a green bowl with chili powder.

Chili powder vs chili powder

Spelling Matters: Chili powder and chili powder are different ingredients. For this melon salad you want chili powder (I always keep both in my spice cabinet)

Chili Powder: Refers to ground dried chiles, specifically in Latin American and Mexican cuisine. The specific pepper used can vary, such as ancho, guajillo, or pasilla. Chili powder adds a distinctive, spicy flavor to traditional Mexican dishes.
Chilli powder: It is a blend of spices commonly used in American cooking, containing ground chili peppers, along with spices such as cumin, garlic powder, and oregano. It has an earthy, slightly spicy flavor and is used in dishes such as chili con carne and Tex-Mex cuisine.

In recent years, there has been a growing trend to introduce more melon varieties to the market, with California, Arizona, Texas and Florida leading the way. These new melons offer different flavors, textures, and colors, giving consumers more choice and variety. Look out for Honey Kiss, Galia, Canary, Crenshaw, and Orange Honeydew, among others. There are also newer seedless varieties of watermelon, like Sugar Baby, that have a more vibrant flavor and would be perfect for this salad.

More summer melon recipes to try

How petite cut your melon

For most melon salads, the fruit is cut into irregular pieces. This makes sense, since melons are round, with thick skins, and are not conducive to cutting into regular shapes. On top of that, most of them have seed cavities in the center, making it so. Watermelon is the easiest, as it doesn’t have a center cavity and you can slice and dice thin pieces of fruit into small cubes. I use my favorite crocodile mincer for work.

It’s a bit more difficult with other melons, but I follow the same principle: remove the skin and create rectangular slabs that I can cut.

One nice thing about this salad is that you can serve it in individual cups for fancy entertaining, or serve it in plastic cups for a barbecue. People will be looking for seconds, I guarantee it.

Frequently Asked Questions and Tips about Mexican Melon Salad

Is Mexican melon salad spicy?

Mexican melon salad can be mild to moderately spicy, depending on the type of chili powder used. Chili powder (or Tajin Mexican spice mix) adds a touch of heat, but it’s usually not overpowering. You can adjust the heat to your liking by adding more or less chili powder.

What other types of melon can I use?

Canary: Similar to a melon, but with a different sweetness
Gaul: The look of a melon with the taste of molasses
Hami: Sweet and floral aroma with a firm and crunchy texture.
Lemon drop: Sour and sweet flavor with a hint of juiciness.
orange melon: A sweet combination of honey and melon flavor
honey kiss: The inner flesh is pale peach in color and is crisp and juicy.

What else can I add to this melon salad?

Some popular additions include diced pineapple, sliced strawberries, or even jicama chunks. You can also add diced cucumber.

Can I add cheese to melon melon salad?

Yes, adding cheese is a common variation on the Mexican melon salad. You can sprinkle crumbled cotija cheese or feta cheese on top.

Do I have to cut the melon into small cubes?

No, you can slice the melon or cut it into thick pieces. Use a melon ball, if you like. I have seen beautiful versions made with very thin melon wedges.

Is the melon melon salad a side dish or a dessert?

Serve the Mexican Cantaloupe Salad as a side dish or a light dessert. If serving it as a dessert, you might consider swapping the cilantro for fresh mint.

How could I puncture this?

I would add a drizzle of rum or Prosecco just before serving in a nice cocktail for wine glasses.

How far in advance can I make this salad?

Do it an hour or two in advance. I do not recommend doing it the day before, as the fruit will start to deteriorate once cut and the salad will be watery.

Melon Salad with Chile and Lime

Instructions

Mix everything together in a large bowl. Taste to see if you want to add more lime juice or chili powder.
The salad can be served immediately or chilled until needed. I recommend chilling for an hour or so, which will make the salad more refreshing. The juices will pool in the bottom of the bowl, so I gently shake them again before each serving.
Store leftover melon salad covered in the refrigerator. It is best eaten the same day it is made.