Summer is the best time to enjoy the sweet and refreshing taste of melons. Watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew—they all make for great summer dishes. These juicy fruits are perfect for keeping cool and happy when it’s hot out. We’ve got a bunch of melon recipes that will make your summer meals more exciting. They’re easy to whip up and great for any occasion, whether you’re hosting a BBQ or just need a tasty snack. Check out these awesome melon recipes and find some new summer favorites!
Mango Melon Soup
This chilled mango melon soup is topped with tangy pickled cucumber and prosciutto skewers. It’s a cool and refreshing summer dish, perfect for hot days.
Get the Recipe: Mango Melon Soup
Cucumber Melon Salad
With pickled onions and sweet, ripe cantaloupe, this cucumber melon salad is great for summer. It pairs perfectly with any grilled meat.
Get the Recipe: Cucumber Melon Salad
Fresh Watermelon Bites with Whipped Feta
Watermelon bites are the perfect summer snack. They’re fresh, easy to make, and great as an appetizer, side dish, or poolside snack on a hot day.
Get the Recipe: Fresh Watermelon Bites with Whipped Feta
Frozen Melonball Cocktail
This frozen melonball cocktail is fresh and bright. It makes two drinks but can easily be multiplied, keeping your BBQ crew refreshed and in good spirits.
Get the Recipe: Frozen Melonball Cocktail
Watermelon Fruit Pizza Cake
This healthy summer dessert is made with fresh watermelon, topped with honey Greek yogurt, coconut whipped cream, or sweetened whipped cream, and fresh fruit. A no-guilt way to enjoy a sweet treat.
Get the Recipe: Watermelon Fruit Pizza Cake
Fresh Mozzarella Watermelon Skewers with Honey Lime Drizzle
Honey sweetens the fresh mozzarella, and lime adds a fresh touch. These skewers are great for BBQs or casual get-togethers and can even be served as a fun appetizer with burgers or chicken sandwiches.
Get the Recipe: Fresh Mozzarella Watermelon Skewers with Honey Lime Drizzle
Cantaloupe Melon Salad
This cantaloupe melon salad is a refreshing summer dish with simple, seasonal ingredients. It takes just 15 minutes to make and is perfect for the pool or beach.
Get the Recipe: Cantaloupe Melon Salad
Cucumber Melon Salad with Mint Honey Lime Dressing
This sweet melon salad features ripe melon, cool cucumber, feta, and a simple honey lime dressing. It’s a refreshing and light dish for summer meals.
Get the Recipe: Cucumber Melon Salad with Mint Honey Lime Dressing
Watermelon Feta Salad with Basil and Cucumber
This refreshing salad combines sweet watermelon, salty feta cheese, crunchy cucumbers, and fresh basil. It’s a great summer dish.
Get the Recipe: Watermelon Feta Salad with Basil and Cucumber
Watermelon Gazpacho Recipe
Watermelon Gazpacho is a light and refreshing chilled soup made with sweet watermelon, savory tomato and cucumber, and fresh mint. Perfect for a light lunch or healthy snack on a hot day.
Get the Recipe: Watermelon Gazpacho Recipe
Fresh Watermelon Salad with Corn and Mango
This fresh watermelon salad with corn and mango is great for summer potlucks or BBQs. Made with fresh produce and tossed in lime juice, it pairs well with grilled favorites like chicken and shrimp.
Get the Recipe: Fresh Watermelon Salad with Corn and Mango
Watermelon Margarita
This watermelon margarita is a refreshing summer cocktail. With just a few ingredients and a couple of minutes, you can have this seasonal party favorite ready to go.
Get the Recipe: Watermelon Margarita
Watermelon Agua Fresca
Naturally sweet and totally refreshing, this pretty pink cooler is a healthy summer staple.
Get the Recipe: Watermelon Agua Fresca
Watermelon & Marinated Tofu “Feta” Skewers
Sweet watermelon paired with salty tofu “feta” is a great combo. Super easy and simple, this is a perfect summertime appetizer.
Get the Recipe: Watermelon & Marinated Tofu “Feta” Skewers
Summer Antipasto Platter
This easy-to-assemble summer antipasto platter is full of flavor. Perfect for eating outdoors, from your patio to a picnic, with no cooking involved—just a few minutes of chopping and assembling.
Get the Recipe: Summer Antipasto Platter
Midori Melon Margarita
This Midori Margarita puts a twist on the classic margarita with the addition of Midori melon liqueur. A refreshing and unique flavor combination, perfect for any occasion.
Get the Recipe: Midori Melon Margarita
Melon Cucumber Ribbon Salad with Melon Vinaigrette
Melon cucumber ribbon salad with melon vinaigrette is a light, refreshing summer salad. Ribbons of honeydew melon, cucumber, fresh mint, and lemon make this a great choice for hot days.
Get the Recipe: Melon Cucumber Ribbon Salad with Melon Vinaigrette
Roasted Beet and Watermelon Salad with Goat Cheese
This roasted beet watermelon salad is colorful and packed with great textures and flavors. Creamy goat cheese contrasts with earthy beets and peppery arugula, while juicy watermelon adds just the right sweetness.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Beet and Watermelon Salad with Goat Cheese
Refreshing Strawberry Watermelon Rosé Sangria
This is summer in a glass. Dive into the most refreshing cocktail for a hot day with this easy recipe for strawberry watermelon rosé sangria.
Get the Recipe: Refreshing Strawberry Watermelon Rosé Sangria
Watermelon & Yogurt Popsicles
Watermelon & yogurt popsicles are coated with Greek yogurt, crushed pistachios, and a drizzle of orange blossom honey for a great and healthy snack on a hot day.
Get the Recipe: Watermelon & Yogurt Popsicles
Watermelon Shooters
These easy watermelon shooters make the best watermelon shots. Made with fresh watermelon, rum, and peach schnapps, they taste like watermelon sugar gummy candies. They take just 5 minutes to make and can be stored in the fridge until ready to drink!
Get the Recipe: Watermelon Shooters
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.