This easy fruit salad recipe can be made with your favorite fruits and is pulled together with a simple fruit juice dressing that perfectly compliments the fruit! This recipe makes 4-8 servings.
Fruit salad is the perfect side for Easter, 4th of July, and hot days! I served this recipe at a brunch last year… The sun was finally out, and this bright citrus dressing was the first thing to disappear from the table! Its juicy flavors make it a refreshing side dish to any meal… It’s a quick and easy light option that’s so refreshing and satisfying, almost like dessert!
This salad is versatile and you can adapt it to the fruits you have available. So whether you’re playing outside or taking a break from the heat, a delicious fruit salad is the perfect way to cool down and stay nourished on hot days!
This simple fruit salad dressing is a great complement to any fruit salad. Made with just a few ingredients, it adds a bright, citrusy touch to your favorite fruits. To make this dressing, start by whisking together fresh orange juice, honey, and lemon juice in a small bowl. Then, add in the orange zest and lemon zest for an extra burst of citrus flavor. The honey acts as an emulsifier and helps the juice cling to the fruit, and the zest adds essential oils that juice doesn’t have. 😉
Mix everything together until well combined, and then pour the dressing over the fruit salad. The dressing can be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Just give it a good stir before using it in your fruit salad.
Types of fruit that are great in fruit salad with citrus dressing:
- Fresh Berries! Strawberries, Blueberries, Blackberries, and Raspberries
- Tropical Fruits like Mango, papaya, kiwi & Pineapple
- Grapes: red or green (as long as they are crisp, not soft.)
- Citrus Fruits: Oranges, Grapefruit, Tangerines & Mandarin Oranges
- Apples and Pears
- Stone fruit like Peaches, Nectarines, plums, & cherries
- Melons (cantaloupe, honeydew, or watermelon)
Feel free to mix and match any kind of fruit to create the best fruit salad with citrus dressing!
My Tips & tricks
Choose ripe and in-season fruits: The key to a flavorful fruit salad is to use fruits that are at their peak ripeness and in season. This will ensure that the fruits are sweet and juicy and that their flavors complement each other.
Cut the fruits into bite-sized pieces: It’s important to cut the fruits into small, bite-sized pieces so that they’re easy to eat and mix with the dressing. Try to keep the pieces roughly the same size for a consistent texture.
Chill the fruit before mixing: For a refreshing and crisp fruit salad, it’s best to chill the fruits in the refrigerator for at least an hour before mixing them with the dressing.
Mix the dressing separately: Whisk together the citrus dressing in a separate bowl before pouring it over the fruit salad. This will ensure that the dressing is well-mixed and evenly distributed.
Add the dressing just before serving: To prevent the salad from becoming too watery, it’s best to add the dressing just before serving. This will help to preserve the texture and freshness of the fruits.
Garnishes: To add some crunch or texture to the salad, add pansy flowers, mint leaves, chopped nuts or shredded coconut on top of the salad just before serving.
How to Serve
Fruit salad is best served chilled, as many fruits taste better when they’re cold and the coolness can be refreshing on a hot day.
When fruit salad contains delicate fruits like berries or peaches, it’s best to store it in the refrigerator and serve it chilled to prevent the fruits from becoming mushy.
Make Ahead Fruit Salad
- Storage: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve it. Make sure the container is tightly sealed to prevent any air from getting in and drying out the fruits.
- Timing: Depending on the types of fruits used in the salad, it’s best to make it no more than a day or two in advance. Some fruits, like berries, are more delicate and can start to break down and become mushy if stored for too long.
- Dressing: If you’re making the fruit salad ahead of time, it’s best to keep the dressing separate and only add it to the salad just before serving. This will help to prevent the fruits from becoming too watery and mushy.
- Texture: Some fruits, like apples and bananas, are prone to browning (oxidizing) or becoming mushy once they hit the open air. To keep your salad looking fresh, I recommend slicing and adding these ‘delicate’ fruits just before serving… Farmhouse Tip: If you want to prep ahead, toss your banana slices in a separate small bowl with a splash of the citrus dressing first. The citric acid from the lemon and orange juice acts as a natural barrier, keeping the fruit bright and crisp until you’re ready to eat!
How to Store Fruit Salad
To store, you should first cover it tightly with plastic wrap or in an airtight container with a lid to prevent the fruit from drying out or absorbing unwanted odors from the refrigerator. It’s best to store fruit salad in the refrigerator at a temperature between 35-40°F (1-4°C) to keep it fresh and safe to eat.
Depending on the types of fruits used in the salad, it can typically be stored for 2-3 days in the refrigerator. However, if the salad contains delicate fruits such as berries or sliced bananas, they may become mushy or overripe within a day or two. To help prevent this, you can store the fruit salad in an airtight container with a paper towel placed on top of the fruits to absorb excess moisture.
Stir the fruit salad gently before serving to redistribute any juices or dressing that may have settled at the bottom.
What To Do With Leftovers
Leftover fruit salad is great for making fruit leather, or a morning fruit smoothie!
More Salad Recipes
- Green Goddess Salad – Made with fresh herbs, leafy greens and homemade green goddess salad dressing!
- Fresh Cobb Salad – Made with chicken, eggs, bacon, cheese, fresh greens and a homemade light vinaigrette dressing!
- Pasta Salad – Colorful pasta, fresh veggies, chicken and dressing make this the easiest dinner or side.
- Loaded Potato Salad – Loaded with potatoes, bacon, onions, sour cream… It’s the perfect summer side!
- The Best Chicken Salad – packed with tender chicken breast, fresh veg and grapes, and topped with a simple homemade dressing… Perfect inside sourdough rolls or chewy sourdough ciabatta rolls!!
Let me know what you think, Please review the recipe card!
If you make this fruit salad and homemade dressing, I’d really appreciate a review on the recipe card or in the comments below… Thank YOU!
Fruit Salad with Citrus Dressing
Ingredients
- 4 cups of mixed fruits (strawberries, blueberries, kiwi, mango, pineapple, melon cubes, peach slices, mango, or grapes)
- 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
- 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice or lime juice
- 1/2 teaspoon lime zest or use orange zest
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon chopped mint leaves optional, for garnish
- 3 pansy flowers optional, for garnish
Instructions
- Cut the fruits into bite-sized pieces and place them in a large bowl.
- In a separate small bowl, whisk together the orange juice, honey, lemon juice, lime zest, and lemon zest until well combined.
- Pour the citrus dressing over the fruit mixture and toss gently to coat.
- Chill the fruit salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Sprinkle some chopped mint leaves or pansy flowers on top for an extra refreshing touch. *Optional
- Serve the fruit salad chilled and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
About Juliea
Juliea is a mother of six, a sourdough baker, and a homestead builder living in Idaho. Alongside her husband and their horse, Dude, she manages a busy farmhouse and shares her love for scratch-cooking and simple homemaking. Through her blog and YouTube channel, she helps millions of families every year master the art of the handmade home.
