Simple Fruit Salad

This Simple Fruit Salad is a burst of freshness in a bowl! Packed with a colorful array of fresh blueberries, strawberries, grapes, mango, kiwis, and a hint of mint, this salad is like a vibrant celebration of summer in every bite. Plus, the sweet citrus dressing adds just the right touch of zest to elevate the flavors to a whole new level.

Not only is this fruit salad incredibly tasty, but it’s also speedy and simple to make, making it the reliable addition to any occasion. Pair it with all your go-to meals like oven-baked chipotle chicken skewers, simple beef kofta, or even cinnamon sugar pull apart bread!

Why You’ll Love This Simple Fruit Salad

Living in the Midwest, fresh fruit salad is a staple at all spring and summer gatherings. If you’ve never tried it, you’re seriously missing out! Everyone seems to have their own take on the dish. However, this simple fruit salad is our absolute fave. Here’s why:

It’s vibrant, colorful, and sweet.
Whole food ingredients are all you need.
It’s loaded with fiber and nutrients to keep you full.
You can toss it all together in minutes!

Ingredients You’ll Need

For this simple fruit salad, we take advantage of all the fresh produce available when the weather warms and incorporate as many colors as possible. Here’s everything you’ll need:

For the Fresh Fruit Salad

Blueberries
Strawberries
Sweet Red Grapes
Mango
Kiwi
Fresh Mint

For the Fruit Salad Dressing

This dressing brightens the whole salad! This is our go-to combination, but feel free to experiment with other ingredients like lime, rosewater, or different extracts!

Orange Juice
Lemon Juice
Lemon Zest
Vanilla Bean Paste or Vanilla Extract
Honey

Optional Add-Ins

Feel free to mix and match different ingredients to make this simple fruit salad your own! For instance, other great ingredients to include are:

Green Grapes
Pineapple
Raspberries
Bananas
Mandarin Oranges
Apples

Various fruits on plates and in bowls or a measuring cup

How to Make the Finest Fresh Fruit Salad

Recipes don’t get easier than this fruit salad recipe! Here’s how to toss it all together:

Combine. Wash, chop, and prepare the fruit, and add it all to a large mixing bowl.
Create the Fruit Salad Dressing. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the ingredients for the dressing.
Toss. Pour the dressing over the fresh fruit salad, and gently toss to combine the ingredients, making sure the fruit is completely coated.

Tips and Tricks

Whether you’re looking for ways to make this recipe even easier or simply want to enhance the flavor even more, take a look at a few of our go-to tips and tricks below!

Use Fresh Fruit. For the strongest flavor and most vibrant color, use the ripest, freshest fruit you can find.
Chop Evenly. For simple eating and better visual appeal, chop your fruit into pieces that are roughly the same size.
Include Herbs. We include fresh mint to provide a refreshing contrast to the sweetness of the dish, but you could also include basil, lemongrass, or lavender for a slightly different taste.
Switch Up the Sweetener. Honey is used to sweeten the dressing for this simple fruit salad recipe, but you could also include maple syrup, granulated sugar, brown sugar, or other sugar substitutes.
Add a Topping. Feel free to add a dollop of whipped cream, Greek yogurt, Cool Whip, or even marshmallows for a silky texture and an even sweeter flavor!
Create Crunch. If you want a little contrast to the soft texture of the fruit, mix in chopped nuts like almonds, walnuts, or pecans.

The final fully made recipe in a large bowl

Simple Fruit Salad Common Questions

Can I add herbs to my fruit salad?

Definitely! Fresh herbs like mint or basil can add an unexpected and refreshing twist. Just chop them finely and sprinkle them over the salad for a burst of flavor.

How do I keep fruits like apples and bananas from browning?

A little citrus goes a long way! Tossing these fruits in lemon or lime juice can slow down the oxidation process, keeping them looking fresh and appetizing.

Can I prepare fruit salad ahead of time?

Absolutely! Prepare your fruit salad a few hours in advance and store it in the refrigerator. This allows the flavors to come together beautifully. However, add delicate fruits like bananas just before serving to maintain their texture.

How can I prevent my fruit salad from becoming soggy?

To keep things crisp, add juicy fruits like watermelon or oranges just before serving. Also, consider draining any excess juice from canned fruits, and avoid overmixing, which can bruise the fruit.

More Simple Fruit-Filled Recipes

Have more fruit on hand that needs a home in a sweet dish? Try some of our other go-to fruit-based recipes!

the Ayyem kitchenServings: 12 servings

Prep: 10 mins
Total: 10 mins

This Simple Fruit Salad recipe is made with fresh fruits and mint tossed with a sweet citrus dressing! Email

Ingredients

For the Fruit Salad:

16 ounces fresh strawberries hulled and quartered
4 kiwis peeled and cubed
16 ounces sweet red grapes sliced in half if large
1 large, ripe mango peeled and diced
12 ounces blueberries rinsed
1/4 cup fresh mint chopped

For the Dressing:

1/3 cup fresh squeezed orange juice
1 tablespoon fresh squeezed lemon juice
Zest of half a lemon
2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons good quality honey

Instructions

In a large bowl, add all of the diced and sliced fruit.16 ounces fresh strawberries, 4 kiwis, 16 ounces sweet red grapes, 1 large, ripe mango, 12 ounces blueberries,
In a separate small bowl, whisk the ingredients for the dressing.1/3 cup fresh squeezed orange juice, 1 tablespoon fresh squeezed lemon juice, Zest of half a lemon, 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 2 tablespoons good quality honey
Pour the dressing over the fruit salad, and toss to combine. Add the fresh mint, and toss again.1/4 cup fresh mint
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.