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Meet the easy Fruit Salad recipe we all need. A rainbow of sweet blueberries, strawberries, pineapple, and kiwi tossed in a bright, citrusy honey poppy seed dressing, this is a big bowl of beautiful!

easy fruit salad recipe in a bowl

Why You’ll Love This Simple Fruit Salad Recipe

  • Colorful. This is my absolute favorite fruit salad, ever. With just about every color in the rainbow, you’ll be hard-pressed to find another side dish that looks this vibrant on your table. The combination of fruits is striking (so many colors!).
  • Texture On Point. A mix of softer and firmer fruits give this fruit salad recipe a perfect array of textures. Not too mushy, not too crunchy.
  • Crowd-Pleasing. Who doesn’t love fruit? While some might be more skeptical of a Spinach Strawberry Salad, kids, adults, and everyone in between can find something they like in this easy fruit salad. The fruit itself is delicious, and the dressing makes it pop and taste like an even better, fresher version of itself.
  • Versatile. While the recipe I’m sharing is my favorite go-to blend of fruit, by all means, feel empowered to wing it and change up the fruit based on what’s in season and what your friends and family enjoy most. You can even make a creamy fruit salad with Cool Whip or pudding.
  • Naturally Sweet. This recipe relies on the natural sweetness of the fruit instead of added sugars. A touch of honey is all this salad needs to taste its absolute best!
the best fruit salad recipe with honey poppyseed dressing

5 Star Review

“Absolute crowd pleaser!! Everyone wanted the recipe.”

— Melissa —

How to Make Fruit Salad

The Ingredients

For the Fruit

  • Berries. Since I primarily make summer fruit salad, strawberries and blueberries are my two favorite fruits to add to it.
  • Pineapple. Tropical flair! Its bright taste makes the salad more dynamic.
  • 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). Check out this Grape Salad too.
  • Kiwi. This makes the fruit salad (and this Strawberry Kiwi Smoothie) taste sunny. Slice off the ends, then use a spoon to scoop out the flesh; cut into rounds, then quarters.
  • Banana. An extra layer of vacation vibes and natural sweetness. Its creamy texture is a nice contrast with the other fruit.
  • Mint. Add chopped fresh mint just before serving for a special final touch and freshness (I love it on Watermelon Salad too).

For the Honey Lime Dressing

  • Orange Juice + Zest. Sweet, citrusy orange juice and zest add scrumptious, refreshing flavor to the dressing.
  • Lime Juice + Zest. For this recipe, lime juice is what you put on fruit salad to keep it from turning brown. It also adds a wonderful hint of acidity.
  • Honey. Makes the fruit taste as sunny as a summer day.
  • Vanilla Extract. The secret dressing ingredient that will have your guests asking for the recipe.
  • Poppy Seeds. A fun addition that makes this salad extra special.

The Instructions

grapes, strawberries, pineapple, kiwi and blueberries in a bowl
  1. Chop the Fruit. Skip the banana for now.
citrus fruit salad poppy seed dressing mixture
  1. Whisk the Dressing. A liquid measuring cup works well for this.
Dressing being poured over a bowl of ingredients
  1. Add the Dressing. You’re almost there!
The final photo of how to make fruit salad-step by step with pictures
  1. Toss and Refrigerate. Tossing very gently is how you keep fruit salad from getting soggy.
mix fruit salad in a bowl
  1. Add the Banana. ENJOY!

Recipe Variations

  • Fruit Salad with Lemon. Swap the lime zest and juice for lemon.
  • Crunchy Fruit Salad. For some added texture and crunch, toss in some nuts (my recommendation would be almonds or pecans), cucumber, or toasted coconut. Dried fruits can also be a nice way to add some textural dimension.
  • Summer Fruit Salad. In the summertime, this salad is wonderful with stone fruit (such as cherries, nectarines, peaches, apricots, and plums). Honeydew, cantaloupe, or watermelon are also nice choices. As for berries, grab a handful of raspberries, blackberries, and/or blueberries. If adding raspberries, wait to add them just before serving, as they are quite delicate.
  • Fall Fruit Salad. Try using pears, apples, and dried cranberries (this variation is a great side dish for Christmas and Thanksgiving).
  • Winter Fruit Salad. A selection of fresh oranges (e.g., blood orange or care cara), canned mandarin oranges, or pomegranate arils is a scrumptious cold-weather combination.
healthy fruit salad recipe with citrus dressing in a bowl

Storage Tips

  • To Store. Fruit salad tastes best the day it is made. If you truly must it can be made before as long as none of the fruits are ones that will turn brown (like apples or bananas). About 3 days is how long fruit salad will last in the refrigerator. Serve with a slotted spoon to avoid collecting too much excess juice.
  • 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.

Meal Prep Tip

Wait to wash your fruit until just before you slice it. This will extend its shelf life in your refrigerator.

This recipe can be made up to 6 hours in advance. Store it in the refrigerator and wait to add the banana until just before serving. If you plan to add other fruits that will turn brown, such as apples, also wait to add these until just before serving. Restir prior to serving. I do not recommend making fruit salad a day ahead or refrigerating fruit salad overnight if it can be avoided, since the fruit will become somewhat mushy.

tropical fruit salad in a bowl with poppyseeds

Leftover Ideas

Leftover fruit salad with yogurt or oatmeal is yummy for breakfast. Topping fruit salad with whipped cream turns it into dessert. You can even use leftover fruit for healthy smoothie recipes.

Toss your leftovers with greens and a side of Grilled Chicken Breast for a healthy, hearty meal. You could also make a variation of this Summer Farro Salad too.

What to Serve with Fruit Salad

mixed fruit salad with kiwi, strawberries, and blueberries

Recipe Tips and Tricks

  • Better Fruit Means Better Salad. Keep in mind that at the end of the day, the quality of the fruit is the most important part of a great-tasting fresh fruit salad. Therefore, my top tip for the best fruit salad recipe is to choose ripe, in-season fruit.
  • Use Pre-Cut Fruit. Don’t be afraid to purchase the pre-cut fruit for this fruit salad. For example, coring, peeling, and cutting a pineapple can be time-consuming. Save time by purchasing fresh pineapple chunks or rings, which are typically available in the grocery store produce section. (I do not recommend frozen fruit for this recipe, though, as it will be too wet and mushy once thawed. Steer clear of canned pineapple, too!)
  • Proper Prep. Try and chop all the fruit to roughly the same size to give the salad a nice presentation and makes it easier to eat. It is also imperative that you allow any washed fruit to dry completely before using it in the salad. Even a little extra liquid can make your salad soggy.
  • Add the Banana Last. Banana’s flavor gets stronger as it sits, and it also tends to turn brown. Adding it last is how you keep banana slices from turning brown in fruit salad and keep its flavor in balance with the other fruits.
  • Make It Your Own. Want to put your own spin on this recipe? When you think of mixing and matching fruit, stick with fruits that share a common season or with an overall vibe. As a general rule, strawberries and blueberries go well with tropical fruits like pineapple, papaya, and kiwi. Fall fruits like apples and pears pair nicely with grapes.

Fruit Salad

5 from 4 votes
The BEST fruit salad recipe! Tossed in honey-lime dressing, this easy fruit salad is loaded with fresh berries, grapes, pineapple, and more.

Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 3 minutes
Total: 25 minutes

Servings: 12 (about 13 cups)

Ingredients
  

FOR THE FRUIT SALAD:

  • 1 pound fresh strawberries sliced and halved (about 3 cups)
  • 1 pound diced fresh pineapple about 3 cups
  • 1 pint fresh blueberries about 2 cups
  • 5 kiwi fruit peeled and cut into bite-sized pieces (about 2 cups)
  • 2 cups seedless red grapes
  • 1 large banana* peeled and cut into bite sized pieces (about 1 cup)
  • Chopped fresh mint optional

FOR THE DRESSING:

  • zest of 1/2 medium orange
  • juice of 1/2 the same medium orange about 3 tablespoons
  • zest of 1 small lime or 1/2 small lemon
  • juice of the same 1 small lime or 1/2 small lemon
  • 3 tablespoons honey
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon poppy seeds

Instructions
 

  • If you will not be serving the fruit salad right away, place all of the fruit except the banana in a large serving bowl: strawberries, pineapple, blueberries, kiwi, and grapes.
  • In a small bowl or large measuring cup, whisk together the dressing: orange zest and juice, lemon zest and juice, honey, vanilla extract, and poppy seeds.
  • Pour the dressing over the fruit and with a large spoon.
  • Toss gently to combine. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the juices to marry (1 hour is even better).
  • Just before serving, stir in the banana. Sprinkle with fresh mint. Enjoy!

Video

YouTube video

Notes

  • *The banana will turn a little brown as it sits and its flavor will become more pronounced, which is why I suggest to add it just before serving. If this doesn’t bother you, feel free to add it right away.
  • TO STORE: Fruit salad tastes best the day it is made, but can be refrigerated for up to 3 days. Serve with a slotted spoon to avoid collecting too many of the excesses juices.
  • TO FREEZE: My favorite 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.

Nutrition

Serving: 1of 12 (about 1 heaping cup)Calories: 126kcalCarbohydrates: 31gProtein: 2gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gPotassium: 347mgFiber: 4gSugar: 23gVitamin A: 111IUVitamin C: 83mgCalcium: 41mgIron: 1mg

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More Healthy Salads with Fruit

The options for using fruit in delicious salads are endless. Here are some of my other favorites:

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Erin Clarke

Hi, I'm Erin Clarke, and I'm fearlessly dedicated to making healthy food that's affordable, easy-to-make, and best of all DELISH. I'm the author and recipe developer here at wellplated.com and of The Well Plated Cookbook. I adore both sweets and veggies, and I am on a mission to save you time and dishes. WELCOME!

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10 Comments

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  1. I noticed that you can increase ingredients by 3. I also noted the salad dressing does not. Just wondering if I can. Zest from 1 1/2 oranges seems like a lot.

    1. Hi Dani, yes sorry, that is something coded in the recipe card itself that I am not able to adjust on my end. I would say if tripling the recipe, then triple the dressing. Hope you enjoy it!

  2. I forgot to reply about this recipe – it truly was delicious! Time flies when you get a brain cramp. huh? Thank you again for this tasty side dish.5 stars

  3. This was so good! My husband called it “crack fruit salad.” The dressing is subtle but really makes a difference. Thank you for this great, easy recipe!5 stars

  4. served when we had company over husband wasn’t sure about the dressing ,it was perfect! was hoping for left-overs none:( will make again in a heartbeat5 stars