Fruit Salad with Citrus Dressing – How to Make Easy Recipe

Jump to Recipe
Rate recipe
5 from 1 vote

This easy fruit salad recipe can be made with your favorite fruits and is pulled together with a simple fruit juice dressing that compliments the sweet fruits you’re using! This recipe makes 4-6 servings.

fruit salad with text

This simple 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.

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.

Fruit salad is perfect for hot days! Its juicy flavors make it a refreshing addition to meals, offering a light option that’s enjoyable and satisfying.

You can make fruit salad just the way you like it, so it’s a versatile dish that can be enjoyed by everyone in the family. 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!

Easy fruit salad recipe with citrus dressing.

Ingredients:

  • 4 cups of mixed fruits (such as strawberries, blueberries, kiwi, mango, pineapple, and grapes)
  • 1/3 cup of fresh orange juice
  • 1 tablespoon of honey or maple syrup
  • 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or lime juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon of orange zest
  • 1/2 teaspoon of lemon zest
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Type of fruit that would be great in this seasonal fruit salad with citrus dressing:

  • Fresh Berries! Strawberries, Blueberries, Blackberries, and Raspberries
  • Tropical Fruits like Mango, papaya, kiwi & Pineapple 
  • Grapes
  • Citrus Fruits like Oranges, Grapefruit, Tangerines & Mandarin Oranges
  • Apples
  • Pears
  • Stone fruit like peaches, nectarines, plums, & cherries
  • Melons (such as cantaloupe, honeydew, or watermelon)

Feel free to mix and match any kind of fruit to create the best fruit salad with citrus dressing!

Fruit Salad Recipe Instructions:

  1. Cut the fruits into bite-sized pieces and place them in a large bowl.
  2. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the orange juice, honey, lemon juice, orange zest, and lemon zest until well combined.
  3. Pour the citrus dressing over the fruit mixture and toss gently to coat.
  4. Chill the fruit salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
  5. Serve the fruit salad chilled and enjoy!

Optional: You can also sprinkle some chopped mint leaves on top for an extra refreshing touch to this great recipe.

Tips

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.

Add some texture: To add some crunch or texture to the salad, consider adding chopped nuts or shredded coconut on top of the salad just before serving.

Recipe Card

Fruit Salad

Fruit Salad with Citrus Dressing

This easy fruit salad recipe can be made with your favorite fruits and is pulled together with a simple fruit juice dressing that compliments the sweet fruits you're using! This recipe makes 4-6 servings.
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Course: Easy Dinner, lunch
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 93kcal

Ingredients

  • 4 cups of mixed fruits such as strawberries, blueberries, kiwi, mango, pineapple, and grapes
  • 1/3 cup of fresh orange juice
  • 1 tablespoon of honey or maple syrup
  • 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or lime juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon of orange zest
  • 1/2 teaspoon of lemon zest
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon chopped mint leaves garnish – optional

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, orange 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 on top for an extra refreshing touch. *Optional
  • Serve the fruit salad chilled and enjoy!

Notes

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.
Add some texture: To add some crunch or texture to the salad, consider adding chopped nuts or shredded coconut on top of the salad just before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 93kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 1g | Sodium: 3mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 17g

How to Serve Fruit Salad

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.

How to Make Fruit Salad Recipe Ahead of Time

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Texture: Some fruits, like apples and bananas, may start to brown or become mushy if left out in the open air for too long. To prevent this, consider adding fruits like these just before serving, or toss them with some lemon juice to prevent browning.
fruit salad with lemon zest and text

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! 

Nutritional Info

Nutritional Information will depend on the choice of fruits used in the salad. However, fruit salad is a versatile option for a light and refreshing snack or dessert. Fruits are naturally sweet, making fruit salad a delicious and satisfying choice for a snack or dessert.

More Recipes

Pasta Salad

Loaded Potato Salad

The Best Chicken Salad!

juliea huffaker

About Juliea

Juliea Huffaker is the creator of Farmhouse Harvest, and dedicated to teaching from-scratch cooking, sourdough baking, gardening, and food preservation. With over 25 years of hands-on experience she has preserved hundreds of jars of produce, mastered the art of meats and sourdough baking, and nurtured a thriving organic garden. Her recipes and articles have been featured across the web. And she’s passionate about inspiring others to embrace a simpler, self-sufficient life style.

5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

Leave a comment

Recipe Rating