Indulge in a refreshing and vibrant fruit salad that's not only a visual delight but also a burst of flavors with every bite. This recipe combines a medley of colorful fruits with a tantalizing citrus-honey dressing that enhances their natural sweetness. Perfect for a quick snack or a light dessert, this fruit salad will surely become a favorite.
Photos of Easy Fruit Salad Recipe
Some ingredients in this recipe might not be commonly found in your home, such as kiwi and tangerines. When visiting the supermarket, ensure you choose ripe, fresh fruits to get the best flavors. Additionally, orange zest and lemon zest can be prepared at home by grating the outer peel of the citrus fruits, but you can also find them in pre-packaged forms.
Ingredients for Easy Fruit Salad Recipe
orange juice: Provides a sweet and tangy base for the dressing.
orange zest: Adds a zesty note to the dressing, enhancing the fruit flavors.
lemon juice: Balances the sweetness with a touch of acidity.
lemon zest: Intensifies the citrus flavor in the dressing.
honey: Natural sweetener that blends well with the citrus juices.
vanilla extract: Adds a hint of warmth and depth to the dressing.
strawberries: Juicy and sweet, they add a beautiful red color to the salad.
tangerines: Segmented for easy eating, their bright orange color adds visual appeal.
pineapple chunks: Sweet and tangy, they provide a tropical twist.
kiwi: Adds a unique texture and a vivid green color.
blueberries: Small and sweet, they burst with flavor in every bite.
red grapes: Juicy and crisp, they add another layer of sweetness.
mint: Fresh and aromatic, it provides a refreshing finish.
One reader, John Askew says:
This easy fruit salad recipe is a refreshing delight! The citrus-honey dressing perfectly complements the vibrant mix of fruits. It's simple to make and absolutely delicious. Perfect for any occasion!
Techniques Required
Yes.
How to zest citrus: Use a microplane or fine grater to remove the outer layer of the citrus peel, avoiding the bitter white pith underneath. How to segment tangerines: Peel the tangerines and separate them into individual segments, removing any seeds and pith. How to cut strawberries: Remove the green tops and slice the strawberries into halves or quarters, depending on their size. How to cut pineapple: Remove the outer skin and eyes of the pineapple, then cut it into bite-sized chunks. How to peel and slice kiwi: Peel the kiwi using a knife or vegetable peeler, then slice it into rounds or half-moons. How to make a citrus-honey sauce: Combine the orange juice, orange zest, lemon juice, lemon zest, and honey in a saucepan, bring to a boil, and whisk until well combined.
How To Make Easy Fruit Salad
Treat your taste buds to a sweet serving of this refreshing fruit salad, packed with sweet pineapples, tart berries, and more for a scrumptious dessert!
Serves:
Ingredients
- ½cuporange juice
- 1tsporange zest,grated
- ¼cuplemon juice
- 1tsplemon zest,grated
- ¼cuphoney
- 1tspvanilla extract
- 3cupsstrawberries,cut in halves
- 4tangerines,separated into sections
- 3cupspineapple chunks
- 3kiwi,peeled, sliced
- 2cupsblueberries
- 2cupsred grapes
- mint,optional
Instructions
-
Add the orange juice, orange zest, lemon juice, lemon zest, and honey to a saucepan and bring to a boil on medium heat, whisking for 3 to 4 minutes.
-
Turn off the heat, then add in the vanilla. Let cool completely.
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Add the strawberries, tangerines, pineapple chunks, kiwi, blueberries, and grapes to a large bowl, then toss carefully with the sauce.
-
Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
-
Serve with mint, and enjoy!
Nutrition
- Calories: 72.15kcal
- Fat: 0.29g
- Saturated Fat: 0.03g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 0.04g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.12g
- Carbohydrates: 18.40g
- Fiber: 1.95g
- Sugar: 14.45g
- Protein: 0.82g
- Sodium: 1.82mg
- Calcium: 18.13mg
- Potassium: 180.24mg
- Iron: 0.37mg
- Vitamin A: 5.39µg
- Vitamin C: 47.59mg
Technique Tip for This Fruit Salad
When preparing the fruit for the salad, make sure to cut the strawberries and kiwi into uniform pieces. This ensures even distribution of flavors and a more visually appealing presentation.
How to Save Time on Making Fruit Salad
Prepare the dressing ahead: Make the orange juice, lemon juice, and honey mixture in advance and store it in the fridge.
Use pre-cut fruits: Buy pre-cut pineapple chunks and kiwi to save chopping time.
Opt for seedless grapes: Choose seedless grapes to avoid extra prep work.
Mix and refrigerate overnight: Combine the fruits and dressing the night before to let flavors meld.
Use a large bowl: A large bowl makes it easier to toss the fruit salad without spilling.
Substitute Ingredients For Easy Fruit Salad Recipe
orange juice - Substitute with pineapple juice: Pineapple juice offers a similar acidity and sweetness, making it a great alternative.
orange zest - Substitute with lemon zest: Lemon zest provides a similar citrus aroma and flavor, though slightly more tart.
lemon juice - Substitute with lime juice: Lime juice has a similar acidity and tartness, making it a suitable replacement.
lemon zest - Substitute with lime zest: Lime zest offers a comparable citrus flavor and aromatic quality.
honey - Substitute with agave syrup: Agave syrup has a similar sweetness and consistency, making it a good alternative.
vanilla extract - Substitute with almond extract: Almond extract provides a different but complementary flavor profile.
strawberries - Substitute with raspberries: Raspberries offer a similar tartness and vibrant color, though they are slightly more delicate.
tangerines - Substitute with mandarins: Mandarins have a similar sweetness and easy-to-peel nature.
pineapple chunks - Substitute with mango chunks: Mango chunks provide a similar tropical sweetness and texture.
kiwi - Substitute with green grapes: Green grapes offer a similar tartness and juicy texture.
blueberries - Substitute with blackberries: Blackberries provide a similar sweetness and antioxidant properties.
red grapes - Substitute with cherries: Cherries offer a similar sweetness and juicy texture, though they need to be pitted.
mint - Substitute with basil: Basil provides a fresh, aromatic quality that complements fruit, though it has a slightly different flavor profile.
Best Way to Present Your Fruit Salad
Serve in individual glass bowls: Present the fruit salad in elegant glass bowls to showcase the vibrant colors of the strawberries, tangerines, pineapple chunks, kiwi, blueberries, and red grapes.
Layer the fruits: Create layers with the fruits to add visual interest. Start with a base of pineapple chunks, followed by strawberries, kiwi, blueberries, tangerines, and top with red grapes.
Garnish with fresh mint: Add a sprig of fresh mint on top of each bowl for a pop of green and a refreshing aroma.
Drizzle the sauce artistically: Use a small spoon or squeeze bottle to drizzle the cooled orange juice, lemon juice, honey, and vanilla extract sauce over the fruit salad in a decorative pattern.
Chill the bowls: Refrigerate the glass bowls before serving to keep the fruit salad cool and refreshing.
Use a white plate as a base: Place the glass bowls on a pristine white plate to create a clean and sophisticated presentation.
Add edible flowers: For an extra touch of elegance, garnish the plate with a few edible flowers that complement the colors of the fruit salad.
Serve with a silver spoon: Provide a small, elegant silver spoon with each bowl to enhance the dining experience.
Best Tools for Making Fruit Salad
Saucepan: Used to heat and combine the orange juice, orange zest, lemon juice, lemon zest, and honey.
Whisk: Essential for mixing the ingredients in the saucepan to ensure they combine smoothly.
Cutting board: Provides a stable surface for cutting the fruits.
Knife: Necessary for slicing the strawberries, tangerines, pineapple chunks, and kiwi.
Zester: Used to obtain the zest from the orange and lemon.
Large mixing bowl: Used to combine all the fruits and the cooled sauce.
Measuring cups: Needed to measure the orange juice, lemon juice, and honey accurately.
Measuring spoons: Used to measure the orange zest, lemon zest, and vanilla extract.
Refrigerator: Essential for chilling the fruit salad for at least 2 hours.
Serving bowl: Used to present the fruit salad when serving.
Tongs or large spoon: Useful for tossing the fruit with the sauce and serving the salad.
Mint leaves: Used as a garnish to add a fresh touch to the fruit salad.
How to Store / Freeze Your Fruit Salad
- Ensure the fruit salad is completely cooled before storing. This prevents condensation and keeps the fruits fresh and crisp.
- Transfer the fruit salad to an airtight container. This helps maintain the salad's freshness and prevents it from absorbing any unwanted odors from the fridge.
- Store the container in the refrigerator. The fruit salad can be kept for up to 3 days, but it's best enjoyed within the first 24 hours for optimal flavor and texture.
- If you plan to freeze the fruit salad, consider the texture changes. Strawberries, kiwi, and pineapple chunks may become mushy upon thawing.
- To freeze, spread the fruits on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. This prevents them from sticking together.
- Once the fruits are frozen solid, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. Label with the date to keep track.
- When ready to use, thaw the fruit salad in the refrigerator overnight. Toss gently with the sauce before serving.
- For a refreshing twist, serve the partially thawed fruit salad as a chilled treat on a hot day.
Random Fact About This Recipe
A random fact about this recipe is that the honey in the dressing not only adds natural sweetness but also acts as a natural preservative, helping to keep the fruit fresh for a longer period.
Is This Fruit Salad Economical for Home Cooking?
When evaluating the cost-effectiveness of this fruit salad recipe, it's essential to consider the price of fresh fruits like strawberries, tangerines, pineapple, kiwi, blueberries, and grapes. These ingredients can vary in price depending on the season and location. On average, the total cost for a household of 4 people would be around $15-$20. Given the health benefits and the delightful taste, the overall verdict for this recipe is a solid 8 out of 10.
Is This Fruit Salad Healthy or Unhealthy?
This fruit salad recipe is a delightful and vibrant medley of fresh fruits, making it a nutritious choice. The fruits provide a rich array of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Strawberries, blueberries, and kiwi are particularly high in vitamin C and fiber, while pineapple and tangerines add a tropical twist with their natural sweetness and vitamin A content. The honey and citrus dressing enhances the flavor without adding excessive calories or refined sugars.
However, the recipe could be improved to maximize its health benefits. The honey, while natural, still adds sugar. Reducing the amount or substituting it with a lower glycemic index sweetener could make it even healthier.
- Reduce the honey to 2 tablespoons or substitute with a natural sweetener like stevia or agave syrup.
- Add a handful of nuts or seeds, such as almonds or chia seeds, for added protein and healthy fats.
- Incorporate a variety of greens like spinach or kale to boost the fiber and nutrient content.
- Use organic fruits to avoid pesticide residues.
- Add a sprinkle of flaxseeds or hemp seeds for an omega-3 boost.
This recipe is already a great choice for a healthy snack or dessert, but these tweaks can elevate its nutritional profile even further. Enjoy this refreshing and wholesome treat!
Editor's Thoughts on This Fruit Salad Recipe
This fruit salad recipe is a delightful blend of fresh, vibrant flavors. The citrusy dressing, enhanced by the zest and honey, adds a refreshing tang and natural sweetness that complements the fruits beautifully. The addition of vanilla provides a subtle depth, making the dish more complex. Allowing the salad to chill for at least two hours ensures the flavors meld together perfectly. Garnishing with mint not only adds a pop of color but also a refreshing finish. Overall, it's a simple yet sophisticated dish that's perfect for any occasion.
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Why trust this Easy Fruit Salad Recipe:
This easy fruit salad recipe is a delightful blend of fresh strawberries, tangerines, pineapple chunks, kiwi, blueberries, and red grapes. The homemade dressing, made with orange juice, lemon juice, honey, and a hint of vanilla extract, enhances the natural sweetness of the fruits. The recipe is simple to follow, ensuring a refreshing and vibrant dish every time. Perfect for any occasion, this fruit salad is not only delicious but also packed with vitamins and antioxidants. Trust this recipe for a healthy and flavorful treat.
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