Holly's Healthy Cooking Blog

One of my favorite melon salad recipes is my Spinach salad with fresh melons!

Of all the melon salad recipes, this easy melon salad is my summer favorite salad for a few reasons.  If you’re looking for a delicious, easy watermelon salad or a cantaloupe salad, this delightful spinach salad includes both melons.  I used a spinach salad as my foundation and added  cucumber.  With a fabulous Honey Citrus Vinaigrette  that complements the fruit, you have a winning summer salad.\

Melon Salad Recipes perfect for Quick Summer Salad

I have an easy watermelon salad with watermelon, tomatoes, and basil that I adore. However, I thought about creating a spinach salad with both watermelon and cantaloupe.

My Spinach and Melon Salad with Honey Citrus Vinaigrette has got to be  one of the best summer salads!!!  I decided to take advantage of the beautiful summer melons at my local produce stand.  I think I came up with the perfect melon salad for these hot days. This salad is down right full of flavor and color. The Honey Citrus Vinaigrette is an absolutely wonderful complement to this melon salad.  However, you can also use the vinaigrette over fruit or your favorite spinach salad.  I recommend including the pecans because having that crunch with the spinach and melon is just wonderful! This vinaigrette is so good you’ll want to put it on every salad from here on out! To make it even easier, buy a seedless watermelon. If you like easy salad recipes, you will love my Gulf Coast Favorites cookbook,

Try a melon baller to make your melon salad recipes a little fancier!

I like the Oxo melon baller as it is easy to use and inexpensive.  Honestly, it is just as easy to use as cutting up your melons.  Just scoop the fruit out into little balls.  They are really inexpensive and you can even use the melon baller for other uses.  I recommend keeping the melon separately until you are ready to toss your salad.

Spinach and Melon Salad with Honey Citrus Vinaigrette from Gulf Coast Favorites cookbook

Looking for a great summer Melon Salad Recipes that are refreshing, colorful, and jam-packed with flavor? Give your taste buds a thrill with this fruity spinach melon salad accented with Maple Pecans, if desired.  This easy summer salad is from my Gulf Coast Favorites cookbook.  My sister says this is my easiest cookbook and she doesn’t like to cook!

Makes 6 Servings

1 (6-ounce) package fresh baby spinach
1 cup cubed seeded watermelon
1 cup cubed cantaloupe
1 small cucumber, peeled and thinly sliced
½ cup thin red onion slices, halved
Honey Citrus Vinaigrette (recipe below)
Maple Pecans (optional, recipe below)

1. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients. Toss with Honey Citrus Dressing and Maple Pecans.

Honey Citrus Vinaigrette

2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon canola oil
2 tablespoons orange juice
1 tablespoon lime juice
Salt and pepper to taste
Dash hot sauce

1. In small bowl, whisk together all ingredients.

Maple Pecans
Simple to make and adds an enticing crunch and sweetness to any salad or snack.

1/4 cup pecan halves
1 tablespoon pure maple syrup

1. Preheat oven 375 degrees. Coat a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray.
2. In small bowl, combine pecans and syrup. Spread on prepared pan. Bake  10 minutes or until lightly browned.

Nutritional Information Per Serving (not including pecans)
Calories 77
Calories from Fat 3g
Saturated Fat 0g
Cholesterol 0mg
Sodium 29mg
Carbohydrate 14g
Dietary Fiber 1g
Sugars 11g
Protein 2g
Diabetic Exchanges 1 carbohydrate/ ½ fat

Nutritional Information Per Serving of Pecans
Calories 40
Calories from Fat 3g
Saturated Fat 0g
Cholesterol 0mg
Sodium 0mg
Carbohydrate 3g
Dietary Fiber 0g
Sugars 2g
Protein 0g
Diabetic Exchanges ½ fat

If you are like me and love summer melons, you must also try my Watermelon Feta Salsa!       

My website has more easy summer recipes!  If you haven’t signed up for my Monthly Menu Newsletter, this is one newsletter you will want to receive packed with the latest seasonal recipes!

The Healthy Cooking Blog | Melon Salad Recipes – Summer Spinach Melon Salad, Honey Citrus Vinaigrette | HollyClegg.com