High Fructose Corn Syrup Free Basil-Pesto Cucumber Melon Salad
This salad is a stunning collision of sweet, cool, and herby — the kind of dish that looks like you spent hours on it but comes together with just a food processor and a few minutes of chopping. Juicy cantaloupe or honeydew pairs beautifully with crisp English cucumber, and the homemade basil-parsley pesto ties everything together with a bright, garlicky punch. A touch of turmeric in the pesto adds a subtle warmth and a gorgeous golden hue that makes the whole bowl pop with color. Avoiding high fructose corn syrup in a fruit-forward dish like this is actually effortless when you skip the bottled dressings and sauces entirely — every ingredient here is whole, fresh, and exactly what it says it is. The pesto is built from scratch with olive oil, lemon juice, and fresh herbs, so there's no label-reading required and no hidden sweeteners sneaking in. A short rest in the fridge lets the pesto cling to the melon and cucumber, deepening the flavors before you even take a bite. Finish it with torn fresh mint if you have it on hand — it adds a cool, aromatic lift that takes the whole salad to another level.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the pesto
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves, packed
- ¼ cup fresh parsley leaves
- 2 cloves garlic, peeled
- ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- ½ tsp lemon zest
- ¼ tsp fine sea salt, plus more to taste
- ¼ tsp ground turmeric
For the salad
- 3 cups cantaloupe or honeydew melon, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 cups english cucumber, halved lengthwise and sliced ¼-inch thick
- 2 tbsp fresh mint leaves, torn (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine the basil, parsley, and garlic in a food processor and pulse 8–10 times until coarsely chopped.
- 2
With the processor running, drizzle in the olive oil in a slow, steady stream until the mixture is smooth and bright green, about 30 seconds. Scrape down the sides, then add the lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, and turmeric. Pulse 3–4 more times until fully incorporated. Taste and adjust salt.
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