If you’re looking for a recipe that just screams summer, try this cantaloupe salad! Loaded with fruit, plenty of fresh herbs, jalapeno, grilled halloumi cheese and zesty lime juice, it’s absolutely delicious!
Hi friends!
I’m always happy to be sharing a new recipe with you all but even more so with this summer salad!
Cantaloupe salad with lime, lots of fresh herbs and grilled halloumi cheese? Oh yeah!
I’m completely obsessed with halloumi cheese (and pretty much any cheese, really).
Halloumi is brined with a high melting point (which means it’s great for grilling). It’s a little salty (kinda like feta), but it’s not as crumbly. It has more of a curd-like texture, in my opinion. Whatever way you describe it, it’s simply yummy and I can’t resist devouring some as soon as it’s grilled.
If you’re a sweet and savoury fan (like me), chances are you’re gonna love this summer salad too. It’s super refreshing and delicious.
Yep, this one hits the spot and sure to be on rotation all summer long, just like my watermelon cucumber bocconcini salad.
Why We Love This Cantaloupe Salad Recipe
- This refreshing fruit salad is made with less than 10 ingredients.
- It’s made quickly.
- It’s loaded with delicious seasonal ingredients.
- Of course, it tastes so yummy!
How To Make This Salad
Full details are in the recipe card below but here are the basics:
Start by grilling your halloumi cheese. It usually comes in a block. To do this, cut the block of halloumi cheese in half so that you have two slabs. I use a 160-gram package, but if your package is slightly smaller (or larger), then it’s no big deal.
Heat up your grill.
Brush the halloumi cheese with a little avocado oil, then grill on both sides just until it gets a little colour.
After grilling, allow it to cool slightly before cutting into cubes while you are prepping the other ingredients.
Allowing the cheese to cool a little will make it easier to cut. Plus, you don’t want to add the hot cheese and make your herbs wilt.
Tip: Don’t have a grill? Pan-fry the halloumi cheese instead.
After your cantaloupe is cut up (and the other ingredients are prepped), place everything in a bowl, mix, serve and enjoy!
Can I Use Another Cheese?
Absolutely! If you don’t want to use halloumi cheese (or don’t have on hand), there are other options.
For instance, cubed or crumbled feta would work lovely. Another great (not as salty) option is bocconcini (basically little mozzarella balls).
There is no need to grill these cheeses. Use as is.
Tips and Variations
- No salt was added to this salad. Halloumi cheese salty enough, in my opinion, and I honestly don’t think the salad needs it.
- Even though this is a cantaloupe salad, if you don’t have cantaloupe on hand, honey dew melon would be a great substitute.
- Prosciutto pairs lovely with cantaloupe. Add some to the salad, if you like.
- For a touch more spice, try Thai red chili pepper instead of jalapeno.
More Delicious Summer Salads
If you make this cantaloupe salad, be sure to leave a comment below!
Cantaloupe Salad (With Grilled Halloumi Cheese)
Ingredients
- 5.5 ounces halloumi cheese, about 160 grams
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil, approximately
- 1 cantaloupe, scrubbed clean, ends cut off, peeled, seeds removed and discarded and cantaloupe cut into 1.5-inch large cubes (about 6 cups)
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, green tops removed and strawberries cut in half
- ½ cup chopped fresh mint leaves
- ¼ cup chopped fresh chives
- 1 jalapeno, ribs and seeds removed and minced
- 2 limes, juiced (about 3 to 4 tablespoons)
Instructions
- Carefully cut block of halloumi cheese in half so you have two thinner slabs (each slab about ½-inch thick). Brush with a little avocado oil to grease.
- Heat grill to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.Note: If you don't have a grill (or prefer not to use), you can cook the halloumi cheese in a non-stick frying pan over medium heat.
- Place the two halloumi cheese slabs onto the grill and cook for 3 minutes per side or until it gets a little colour on the outside. Allow it to cool for a couple of minutes before cutting into cubes.
- Meanwhile, place cantaloupe, strawberries, mint, chives, jalapeno and lime juice in a large bowl.
- Add cubed halloumi cheese and stir to combine everything. Serve and enjoy!Note: I like to enjoy this salad immediately, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoyed within 2 to 3 days.
A note on times provided: appliances vary, any prep and/or cook times provided are estimates only.
© Girl Heart Food Inc. Photographs and content are copyright protected.
Tried this recipe?
If you do make this recipe, thank you!! It would mean so much if you could leave a comment below. Love to know how you enjoyed it, and it helps other readers too!
Alex
Such a great flavour combination, Dawn! Love the different textures and balance here – huge fan of halloumi, and canteloupe works so well with it!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Thank you Alex! Love halloumi too.
Valentina
I’m in love with this salad. Really. I think it’s the prettiest summer dish I’ve seen yet. And that grilled Halloumi – oh my! Perfect. Thank you for this and have a lovely weekend. 🙂 ~Valentina
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
My goodness!! Thank you so much!! Hope your week is going great, Valentina.
Marissa
Loving the sweet, salty, tangy flavors in this salad, Dawn! We grill halloumi every year, but have never had it in a melon salad. Clearly that needs to change!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Thank you Marissa! We love this one!
Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop
I have to be honest – I usually just eat cantaloupe all by itself, but I’m loving this idea of grilling it and mixing it into a salad with cheese! This looks like the ultimate summer salad!!!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Thanks Kathy! It’s so good!
David @ Spiced
What a fun summer salad, Dawn! First of all, Halloumi. I love it! (Of course I love it – you know how I feel about my grill. Haha.) And then cantaloupes, too. We actually haven’t had a cantaloupe yet this year, and this salad is making me want to run out to the store to get one today. My Dad always put salt on his cantaloupe when we were kids, and I thought he was nuts. But now I appreciate the sweet + salty, and this salad brings that! Well done. Hope you have a very happy day off today, my friend!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Thanks David! Oh, I do too! We had a great day (and the sun was shining). Thank you so much!
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen
Genius recipe Dawn! I love the sweet and savory combination. So perfect for summer parties! Can’t wait to give this a go. Pinned!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Thank you Mary Ann! It always goes over well. Hope you enjoy too!
Ben | Havocinthekitchen
I’m a sweet & salty (savoury) person myself, so this salad is right up my alley! Cantaloupe, strawberries, mint, and grilled cheeee? That’s fabulous! And for myself, I’ll certainly add some prosciutto, too! (Cause why not?)
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Woo hoo! Thanks Ben!