Melon Prosciutto Salad

This tasty Melon Prosciutto Salad is a delicious, fresh salad that is perfect for summer. Sweet honeydew and cantaloupe are layered with fresh mozzarella cheese. Studded with thinly sliced prosciutto and fresh basil leaves, this refreshing salad is dressed with a lemon vinaigrette.

this recipe!

This post was originally published in September 2020 and has been updated for content.

This recipe is a twist on the classic caprese salad that is said to originate from the island of capri. Traditional caprese salad contains fresh mozzarella, tomatoes and basil and is sometimes dressed with a vinaigrette. This version replaces the tomatoes with melon to provide a sweeter version of this classic italian salad. This salad is perfect to serve along side italian salmon, grilled steaks or even pizza on the grill.

🍈 Ingredient notes

• Melon - Honeydew and cantaloupe melons are used for this salad. Alternatively, crenshaw, santa claus or winter melons would also be good.
• Mozzarella - I like using a large log or ball of fresh mozzarella cheese for this recipe, because it is easily sliced and layered with the melon.
• Prosciutto - Prosciutto is an italian dry-cured ham that has a light, buttery and salty taste to it. It adds a nice contrast in flavor to the melon and cheese.

📋 Substitutions and variations

• Non-Layered Salad - To make this salad scoopable instead of layered, a melon baller can be used for the cantaloupe and honeydew. Use mozzarella pearls or ciliegine balls instead of slices and dice the prosciutto into smaller pieces.
• Dairy Free - To make this salad dairy free, omit the mozzarella cheese.
• Vegetarian/Vegan - To make this salad vegetarian, omit the prosciutto; to make it vegan, omit the cheese and prosciutto.

🔪 Step by step instructions

First, remove the peels and seeds from the melons and slice them and the mozzarella in half inch slices. Layer the melon and mozzarella on a serving platter.

Next, bunch up the slices of prosciutto and evenly distribute them in and around the slices of melon and cheese. Repeat with the fresh basil leaves.

In a mason jar, combine lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper and then shake to combine. Pour over the salad and then serve it immediately.

⭐ Expert tips

• Slice the melon and cheese in similar sized pieces to allow for easy layering.
• Don't dress the salad until you are ready to serve it. The acid in the vinaigrette will start to break down the cheese and melon, so it's best to do right before serving.

⏲️ Make ahead instructions

If you need to make this salad ahead of time, I recommend keeping the dressing separate. Layer the salad as instructed and then cover it in plastic wrap undressed and store in the refrigerator until serving time. Make the dressing ahead of time and store in the fridge. When it's time to serve, give the dressing a good shake again and then pour it over the salad.

🥗 More salad recipes

If you loved this recipe for melon prosciutto salad, check out these other salad recipes that I know you will love too!

• Kale Ceasar Salad
• Spinach Salad with Pear & Pomegranate
• Winter Citrus Salad

For a quick overview of this recipe, check out my web story for this melon and prosciutto caprese!

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📖 Recipe

Melon Prosciutto Salad

Amanda

This tasty Melon Prosciutto Salad is a delicious, fresh salad that is perfect for summer. Sweet honeydew and cantaloupe are layered with fresh mozzarella cheese. Studded with thinly sliced prosciutto and fresh basil leaves, this refreshing salad is dressed with a light lemon vinaigrette. 

5 from 9 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 mins

Total Time 10 mins

Course Appetizer, Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine Italian

Servings 10 servings

Calories 253 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• ½ medium ripe honeydew
• ½ medium ripe cantaloupe
• 16 ounces fresh mozzarella
• ¼ pound thinly sliced prosciutto
• fresh basil leaves
• 1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 3 Tablespoons olive oil
• ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
• ⅛ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

 

• Peel and remove seeds from the cantaloupe and honeydew.
• Slice cantaloupe, honeydew and fresh mozzarella into approximately ½ inch thick slices.
• Layer cantaloupe, honeydew and mozzarella pieces on a serving platter. 
• Bunch the prosciutto slices up and place them in and around the melon and cheese slices so they are evenly distributed. Repeat with the fresh basil leaves. 
• In a small mason jar or container with a lid, add lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper. Shake vigorously to combine the ingredients.
• Drizzle lemon vinaigrette dressing over the top of the salad and serve immediately.

Notes

• Slice the melon and cheese in similar sized pieces in both general size and width to allow for easy layering.
• Don't dress the salad until you are ready to serve it as the acid in the vinaigrette will start to break down the cheese and melon.

Variations

• Different Melon - crenshaw, santa claus or winter melons would work as alternative melons for this recipe.
• Non-Layered Salad - To make this salad more scoopable instead of layered, a melon baller can be used for the cantaloupe and honeydew and a mozzarella pearls or ciliegine balls may be used. Dice the prosciutto into smaller pieces as well to make for easy serving and eating.
• Dairy Free - to make this salad dairy free, simply omit the mozzarella cheese.
• Vegetarian/Vegan - to make this salad vegetarian, omit the prosciutto and to make it vegan, omit the cheese and prosciutto.

Make Ahead Instructions

To make the salad ahead of time, keep the dressing separate. Layer the salad as instructed and then cover it in plastic wrap undressed and store in the refrigerator until serving time. Dressing can also be made and stored in the mason jar or container with a lid until serving time. When it's time to serve, shake the mason jar to recombine the ingredients and pour over the salad.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupCalories: 253kcalCarbohydrates: 9gProtein: 12gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 43mgSodium: 434mgPotassium: 280mgFiber: 1gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 1298IUVitamin C: 22mgCalcium: 237mgIron: 1mg

Keyword melon and prosciutto appetizer, melon caprese salad, melon prosciutto salad

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