Fruit Salad With Honey Poppy Seed Dressing Wellplated Com

A few weeks ago on Instagram, I mentioned that I was pulling together a simple fruit salad and would you all like an official recipe for that? YES YES YES was your answer. Here we are at the end of the rainbow! I’ve given you a stellar homemade fruit salad recipe, but by all means feel empowered to wing it.

It’s the height of summer? Add cherries!Peaches looking in their prime? Toss ‘em in!Want a spring fruit salad? Swap the blueberries for more strawberries.Don’t feel like cutting up a pineapple? (I get it and I have a prep tip for you below.) Use mandarin oranges instead.

How to Make Fresh Fruit Salad

Fruit salad can contain any mix of fresh fruit you like or that is in season. When you think of mixing and matching, stick with the season, or with an overall vibe.

Strawberries and blueberries go well with tropical fruits like pineapple, papaya, and kiwi.Fall fruits like apples and pears pair nicely with grapes.

Some recipes also include nuts, which you can certainly toss in for crunch (my recommendation would be almonds or pecans; or try toasted coconut). The one thing I beg you not to skip is this honey lime fruit salad dressing.

The dressing makes it pop and taste like an even better, fresher version of itself.Citrus dressings are my favorite when using berries and tropical fruits.For a creamy fruit salad recipe, check out this Grape Salad; it uses protein-packed Greek yogurt instead of sour cream.

The Ingredients

Berries. Since I primarily make summer fruit salad, strawberries and blueberries are my two favorite fruits to add it to it. Both are high in vitamin C and blueberries especially pack antioxidants.

Pineapple. Tropical flair! Its bright taste makes the salad more dynamic. Pineapple is also high in nutrients like vitamin C and manganese and contains antioxidants (read more about pineapple’s health benefits here).

Grapes. Seedless red grapes add crunch and are short on prep time. Simply rinse and dry them and they are ready to add (no need to halve grapes for fruit salad—unless you are feeling very fancy).Kiwi. This little green powerhouse is PACKED with vitamin C and it makes the fruit salad taste sunny.

Banana. An extra layer of vacation vibes and natural sweetness. Its creamy texture is is a nice contrast with the other fruit.Fruit Salad Dressing. A combination of fresh orange juice, lime juice (or lemon juice), and honey makes the fruit taste as sunny as a summer day. Poppy seeds are a fun addition that makes this salad extra special (if you love poppy seed dressing, be sure to check out my Spinach Strawberry Salad).Vanilla Extract.The secret fruit salad dressing ingredient that will have your guests asking for the recipe.

The Instructions

Storage Tips

To Store. Fruit salad tastes best the day it is made, but can be refrigerated for up to 3 days in airtight containers. Serve with a slotted spoon to avoid collecting too many of the excess juices.To Freeze. Perfect for smoothies! Spread your leftover fruit onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Freeze until firm, then transfer the fruit to a ziptop bag and freeze for up to 3 months.

How to Serve Fruit Salad

Fruit salad is a healthy side dish packed with fiber, vitamins, and nutrients that you can serve at just about any gathering.

In peak summer, this salad is wonderful with stone fruit (such as pears, nectarines, peaches, apricots, and plums), watermelon, raspberries, blackberries, and/or blueberries. If adding raspberries, wait to add them just before serving, as they are quite delicate.For a fall fruit salad, try using pears, apples, and dried cranberries (this variation is a great side dish for Christmas and Thanksgiving).For a winter fruit salad, fresh oranges are a scrumptious addition.

I do not recommend canned pineapple for fruit salad, as its flavor is more lackluster, and it can be mushy. Toss your leftover fruit salad with greens and a side of Grilled Chicken Breast for a healthy, hearty meal.

Breakfast and Brunch Recipes. Whether you go sweet with Healthy Banana Bread or savory with a Healthy Breakfast Casserole, fruit salad is a great dish to bring to brunch.Burgers. Freshen up your cookout spread and pair fruit salad with your favorite burger, such as a Blue Cheese Burger, Vegan Burger, or Salmon Burger.Barbecue. Fruit salad goes well with barbecue recipes like Instant Pot Ribs, Crockpot BBQ Chicken, and Slow Cooker Pulled Pork.Holiday Fare. Try one of the winter or fall variations (see “Use What’s In Season” above) at Thanksgiving and Christmas.Dessert. Top your fruit salad with whipped cream, and enjoy it alongside a batch of cookies. A Midwest version would toss in some mini marshmallows too.

Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe

Measuring Spoons. Magnetic strips keep them well organized.Citrus Juicer. It’s easy to press, which helps squeeze more juice.Measuring Cups. Microwave and dishwasher safe.

Now this is my idea of tasting the rainbow! Leave a rating below in the comments and let me know how you liked the recipe.

Fruit Salad Video

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