Mexican fruit cups are a staple street food in Mexico and a healthy option for a snack or dessert. They are refreshing, easy to make, and packed with sweet and spicy flavors that anyone could enjoy, especially during hot summer days.
Most of the ingredients for Mexican fruit cups are easy to find in a supermarket, but there might be two you are not familiar with: jicama and chile lime seasoning. Jicama is a crunchy, sweet vegetable often used in Mexican cooking. If you can't find it, you can replace it with other crispy vegetables like radishes. Chile lime seasoning is a mix of chilli powder, salt, and dehydrated lime juice and adds a great kick to the fruit cups. If you can't find it in your local supermarket, you can make it at home or buy it online.
Ingredients for Mexican Fruit Cups
Pineapple spears: Pineapples add sweetness and tartness, and their juicy texture counteracts the crunchiness of the other ingredients.
Mango spears: Mangoes contribute to the sweetness and give a tropical flavor.
Papaya spears: Papayas provide a melon-like flavor, adding to the variety of tropical tastes.
Watermelon spears: Watermelon adds extra juiciness and sweetness, making the fruit cups refreshing.
English cucumber spears: Cucumbers give a crunchy texture and a slight bitterness that balances the sweetness of the fruits.
Jicama spears: Jicama gives a nice crunch to the fruit cup and its mild flavor doesn't overpower the other ingredients.
Lime wedges: Lime wedges are squeezed on top of the fruit cup to add a tangy flavor that complements the sweetness of the fruits.
Chile lime seasoning: This seasoning is sprinkled on top and adds a savory, spicy, and tangy flavor to the fruit cups.
One reader, Catherine Caswell says:
This Mexican fruit cups recipe is a game-changer! The combination of fresh fruits and veggies with a zesty kick from the chile lime seasoning is simply divine. It's a refreshing and healthy treat that's perfect for any occasion. I highly recommend trying it out!
Techniques Required for Making Mexican Fruit Cups
How to assemble the fruit cups: Place one of each type of fruit and vegetable into 6 cups.
How to serve: Serve with lime wedges and sprinkle with chile lime seasoning to taste.
Whenever it’s a hot and summer day, I always think back to the delicious fruit in a cup dessert that I ate when I was in Mexico. These fresh Mexican fruit cups were sold everywhere. There was almost always a Mexican fruit cup near me that was sold in fruit stands, which showcased a variety of colorful fruits from pineapples and mangoes to Mexican fruits like jicama. It’s a very popular and common street food, and I would always buy one whenever I can. What makes this Mexican fruit cup so special and appetizing to eat is the Tajin seasoning and, sometimes, chamoy sauce that they drizzle all over the fruits.
This Mexican fruit seasoning truly elevates the flavor of the tropical fruits. Tajin seasoning or chile lime seasoning adds a zesty and savory citrus taste with a bit of mild heat to pair. The resulting taste is a perfect mixture of sweet, sour, salty, and even spicy. These burst of flavors blend beautifully with the sweet taste of the tropical fruits. I decided to recreate this tasty Mexican fruit cup at home to satisfy my cravings for it.
In a classic Mexican fruit cup, they always use pineapple, mango, watermelon, papaya, and jicama fruits. You can also add or swap out other fruits for cucumber or cantaloupes. Honestly, it’s like a Mexican fruit salad seasoned with chamoy and Tajin in a cup. For this recipe, however, I’m only using fresh fruits with Tajin because I prefer the zesty and mild spicy flavors it offers. You can buy Tajin seasoning in a lot of mainstream grocery stores. Chamoy sauce is also a popular Mexican fruit seasoning, but I prefer its salty, sweet, and spicy taste more when paired with just mangoes. Feel free to experiment with it though for a variety of flavors.
Once you have your fruits and vegetables, prepare them for slicing or dicing. Make sure they are peeled, seeded, and cored before cutting them into long spears. Some Mexican fruit cups served them diced, but I honestly preferred the long spears since I got to enjoy each individual taste of the fruits. After cutting them into spears, arrange and stack them in a cup. I used clear plastic cups for this one since it’s what they used back in Mexico, but you can use other types of cup.
Afterwards, serve these Mexican fruit cup appetizers (or dessert!) with a side of lemon wedges and sprinkle it with the Tajin seasoning. For more zesty and fresh flavors, squeeze in some fresh lime juice. I ate a lot of these fruit cups alone as a healthy snack. I also tried serving these fruit cups for party celebrations, and they really enjoyed eating these sweet and spicy fresh fruits in a cup! And if you have any leftover fruits, you can save them to make bionico, a Mexican fruit bowl, which is exactly what I did. It’s just as delectable as these Mexican fruit cups!
How To Make Mexican Fruit Cups
This Mexican fruit cup recipe features fresh fruits drizzled with Tajin chile lime seasoning for an added citrus and mildly spicy flavors.
Serves:
Ingredients
- 6 pineapple spears, peeled and cored
- 6 mango spears, peeled and seeded
- 6 papaya spears, peeled and seeded
- 6 watermelon spears, peeled
- 6 English cucumber spears, peeled
- 6 jicama spears, peeled
- 6 lime wedges
- 3 tsp Tajin seasoning, per cup
- 1 tbsp Chamoy sauce, per cup (optional)
Instructions
- Place one of each type of fruit and vegetable into 6 clear plastic cups.
- Serve with lime wedges and sprinkled with chile lime seasoning or chamoy sauce to taste.
Nutrition
- Calories: 2505.52kcal
- Fat: 11.26g
- Saturated Fat: 1.74g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 2.62g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 3.52g
- Carbohydrates: 629.51g
- Fiber: 79.42g
- Sugar: 465.59g
- Protein: 44.30g
- Sodium: 125.42mg
- Calcium: 696.90mg
- Potassium: 8879.13mg
- Iron: 20.42mg
- Vitamin A: 1692.88µg
- Vitamin C: 1327.58mg
Helpful Technique for Preparing Mexican Fruit Cups
When preparing your fruit and vegetable spears, try to cut them into similar sizes. This not only makes the cups look more appealing, but it also ensures that each bite has a good mix of flavors. Additionally, when applying the chile lime seasoning, start with a small amount and add more to taste. The seasoning can be quite potent, and it's easier to add more than to try to remove it once it's been added.
Time-Saving Tips for Preparing Mexican Fruit Cups
Plan ahead: Prepare a list of ingredients and equipment needed before starting the recipe to avoid last-minute rushes.
Pre-cut ingredients: Buy pre-cut fruits and vegetables to save time on preparation.
Multi-task: While one part of the recipe is cooking, work on preparing the next step to maximize efficiency.
Use kitchen gadgets: Utilize tools like food processors and mandolines to speed up chopping and slicing.
Organize your workspace: Keep all ingredients and utensils within reach to minimize time spent searching for items.
Follow the recipe: Stick to the instructions to avoid mistakes that could lead to time-consuming corrections.
Substitute Ingredients For Mexican Fruit Cups Recipe
pineapple spears - Substitute with mango chunks: Mango provides a similar sweet and tropical flavor to pineapple, making it a suitable replacement in the fruit cup.
mango spears - Substitute with papaya chunks: Papaya has a similar texture and sweetness to mango, making it a great alternative in the fruit cup.
papaya spears - Substitute with cantaloupe chunks: Cantaloupe offers a similar juicy and sweet flavor to papaya, making it a good substitute in the fruit cup.
watermelon spears - Substitute with honeydew chunks: Honeydew has a similar refreshing and juicy texture to watermelon, making it a suitable replacement in the fruit cup.
english cucumber spears - Substitute with jicama chunks: Jicama provides a similar crunchy texture and mild flavor to cucumber, making it a good alternative in the fruit cup.
jicama spears - Substitute with daikon radish chunks: Daikon radish offers a similar crunchy texture and mild flavor to jicama, making it a suitable replacement in the fruit cup.
lime wedges - Substitute with lemon wedges: Lemon provides a similar citrusy and tangy flavor to lime, making it a good alternative in the fruit cup.
chile lime seasoning - Substitute with tajin seasoning: Tajin seasoning offers a similar blend of chili, lime, and salt, making it a suitable replacement in the fruit cup.
Presentation Ideas for Mexican Fruit Cups
Elevate the fruit and vegetable spears: Arrange the pineapple, mango, papaya, watermelon, cucumber, and jicama spears in an elegant and visually appealing manner on the plate.
Create a vibrant and colorful display: Arrange the fruit and vegetable spears in a visually stunning and colorful pattern, creating an eye-catching presentation that showcases the freshness and variety of the ingredients.
Incorporate artistic flair with lime wedges: Place the lime wedges strategically around the fruit cups, adding a pop of vibrant green color and a zesty citrus aroma to the presentation.
Sprinkle with chile lime seasoning: Delicately sprinkle the chile lime seasoning over the fruit cups, ensuring an even distribution of the seasoning to enhance the flavors and add a touch of heat to the dish.
Use high-quality serving ware: Select elegant and sophisticated serving dishes or platters to present the Mexican fruit cups, elevating the overall dining experience for the guests.
Garnish with fresh herbs or edible flowers: Add a touch of refinement by garnishing the fruit cups with fresh cilantro leaves or edible flowers, enhancing the visual appeal and adding a subtle hint of complementary flavors.
Interesting Fact About Mexican Fruit Cups
Mexican fruit cups are a popular street food in Mexico and are often sold by street vendors. They are a refreshing and healthy snack, perfect for hot days. The combination of fruits and vegetables with the tangy lime and spicy chile lime seasoning creates a burst of flavors that is both delicious and satisfying. This dish is not only tasty but also packed with essential vitamins and nutrients, making it a great choice for a quick and nutritious snack.
Is Making Mexican Fruit Cups at Home Cost-Effective?
This mexican fruit cups recipe is highly cost-effective, as it primarily uses affordable and easily accessible fruits and vegetables. The combination of pineapple, mango, papaya, watermelon, cucumber, and jicama offers a refreshing and nutritious option for a household. The addition of lime and chile lime seasoning enhances the flavors without adding significant cost. Overall, this recipe rates a solid 9 for its affordability and nutritional value. The approximate cost for a household of 4 people is around $10, making it a budget-friendly and healthy option.
Are Mexican Fruit Cups Healthy or Unhealthy?
The Mexican fruit cups recipe is a healthy and refreshing snack option. Here's why:
- The recipe is packed with a variety of fresh fruits like pineapple, mango, papaya, and watermelon, which are excellent sources of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. These nutrients support overall health and boost the immune system.
- Cucumber and jicama add a crunchy texture and provide additional hydration, as they are both high in water content. They also offer dietary fiber, which aids in digestion and promotes feelings of fullness.
- The lime wedges provide a burst of citrus flavor and vitamin C, which helps in the absorption of iron from the fruits and vegetables.
- The chile lime seasoning adds a spicy kick and enhances the overall taste without relying on unhealthy additives or excessive sugar.
To make this recipe even healthier, consider the following suggestions:
- Opt for organic fruits and vegetables to minimize exposure to pesticides and other harmful chemicals.
- If you're watching your sodium intake, reduce the amount of chile lime seasoning or choose a low-sodium alternative.
- For an extra boost of protein and healthy fats, add a sprinkle of chopped nuts or seeds, such as almonds or chia seeds.
- To increase the fiber content and add a probiotic element, include a dollop of plain, non-fat Greek yogurt on top of each fruit cup.
Editor's Opinion on Mexican Fruit Cups
This Mexican fruit cup recipe is a delightful and refreshing way to enjoy a variety of fruits and vegetables. The combination of pineapple, mango, papaya, watermelon, cucumber, and jicama offers a mix of sweet and savory flavors, while the addition of lime wedges and chile lime seasoning provides a zesty and spicy kick. The presentation in individual cups makes it perfect for serving at gatherings or as a light and healthy snack. It's a simple yet vibrant dish that celebrates the vibrant flavors of Mexican cuisine.
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Why trust this Mexican Fruit Cups Recipe:
This recipe uses fresh, high-quality fruits and vegetables, ensuring a delicious and nutritious result. The combination of pineapple, mango, papaya, watermelon, cucumber, and jicama provides a refreshing and diverse mix of flavors and textures. The addition of lime and chile lime seasoning enhances the taste, creating a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and spicy notes. Trust in the simplicity and authenticity of this recipe to deliver a delightful Mexican fruit cup experience.
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