Perfect Summer Fruit Salad Recipe (2024)

Perfect Summer Fruit Salad Recipe (1)

Written by Kayla Chandler Woolfolk Published on in Desserts, Gluten Free, Holiday Recipes, Paleo Recipes, Salads, Side Dishes, Snacks, Vegan Recipes, Vegetarian Recipes

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This tasty fruit salad recipe is perfect for any summer get together and it never disappoints. The refreshing summer fruit mixed with the creamy yogurt dressing is a delicious way to keep cool and energized during these hot summer days. This fruit salad is great to take to backyard BBQs, cookouts, pool parties, or any occasion. It’s colorful, vibrant, and always a crowd pleaser! Plus, it’s an easy way to sneak in extra vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants for the whole family.

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A homemade summer fruit salad is one of my favorite things to make during the hot summer months. And, best of all, this fruit salad is very customizable and can be made to fit your taste preference. So, if you’re not a fan of a certain fruit (or maybe you’re allergic), you can easily substitute it with another type of fruit that you do enjoy. I’ve made substitution ideas on the recipe card below.

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How To Make Fruit Salad

Making fruit salad yourself with perfectly ripened, fresh fruit is on a level of its own. Store-bought fruit salad may be an easy grab-and-go option, but it’s mostly likely not going to be nearly as fresh (or sweet!). So, I highly recommend making this fruit salad recipe yourself. It only takes about 15-20 minutes to put together.

Fruit Salad Ingredients

These are the ingredients you’ll need to make my popular summer fruit salad recipe.

  • For the yogurt dressing: Use any type of plain yogurt (greek, dairy free, etc.) mixed with vanilla extract, raw honey, lemon juice and zest, and cinnamon.
  • For the fruit: I’ve chosen to use blueberries, strawberries, peaches, kiwi, grapes, and apples. I know apples technically aren’t a summer fruit, but I love the unique crisp texture they bring to the salad. But, feel free to swap out any of these fruits with others, such as pineapple, mango, mandarin oranges, apricots, etc.)
  • For added crunch: What makes this fruit salad so unique is the added crunch from the walnuts. Feel free to substitute with chopped almonds, sunflower seeds, chopped pecans, etc.

How To Make This Fruit Salad

Here’s an overview of how to make this creamy yogurt summer fruit salad.

  1. Make the yogurt dressing. Combine all yogurt dressing ingredients and mix until fully combined.
  2. Prepare the fruit. Rinse, dry, and chop the fruit. Then, place the fruit into a bowl and pour the yogurt dressing over top. Mix until combined.
  3. Marinate. Place foil or a lid over the bowl and let chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours.
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How To Store

Fruit salad is best eaten within 24 hours of making it, especially if it’s for a party, event, or gathering. However, if you’re making it for yourself and your family, it’ll stay fresh for up to 4 days in the fridge when stored in an airtight container. If you have leftovers after 4 days, you can pop it into a blender and make a smoothie or even freeze it to be eaten or turned into a smoothie later.

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Tip for Making the Best Fruit Salad

  • Soak the berries and grapes in a water/vinegar/baking soda mixture to extend freshness. I find when I do this, it not only helps to thoroughly clean the fruit, but it also seems to extend the freshness of it.
  • Fruit must be fully dry. Before adding the fruit to the bowl to mix, make sure it’s fully dry. This ensure that the fruit salad isn’t too watery.
  • Always use fresh fruit. When making any fruit salad recipe, you’ll never want to use frozen fruit because it’ll eventually thaw out and become too watery.
  • Always use fruit that’s fully ripe. This is KEY to getting the best flavor. Unripened fruit can be bitter and too tangy. You want the fruit to be ripe and sweet. This is especially important for the kiwi, peaches, and strawberries.
  • Get creative with the yogurt dressing. Feel free to use a flavored yogurt to add a boost of flavor.
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Summer Fruit Salad Recipe Video

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Perfect Summer Fruit Salad

Perfect Summer Fruit Salad Recipe (8)Kayla Chandler Woolfolk

This perfect summer fruit salad recipe is not only a crowd pleaser, but it’s also a great way to sneak in fruit with the family. The creamy yogurt dressing makes it even more delicious!

Print Recipe Save Pin Recipe Rate Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 15 minutes mins

Course Salads, Snacks

Cuisine American

Servings 12 servings

Calories 165 kcal

Video

Ingredients

Fruit Salad:

  • 2 C. Strawberries, cut into halves or fourths
  • 2 C. Blueberries
  • 2 C. Green or Red Grapes, keep whole or cut into halves
  • 2 Apples, chopped into cubes (can sub with mango, pineapple, or mandarin oranges to keep it a true summer fruit salad.)
  • 2 C. Peaches, chopped into 1-inch pieces (can sub with apricots)
  • 4 Kiwi, peeled u0026 sliced into bite size pieces
  • 1 C. Walnuts, chopped
  • Mint Leaves, to garnish (optional)

Yogurt Dressing:

  • 1 C. Plain Yogurt (greek yogurt, dairy free yogurt, etc.)
  • 1/4 C. Raw Honey
  • 2 tsp Vanilla Extract
  • 2 Lemons, add the zest and juice
  • 1/2 tsp Cinnamon

Instructions

  • Make sure all of the fruit is rinsed and dried thoroughly before slicing/chopping. Once you’ve prepped the fruit, add it to a mixing bowl and set aside.

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  • In a separate bowl, add all yogurt ingredients and whisk until fully combined.

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  • Pour dressing over the fruit and toss until it’s fully incorporated and all fruit is coated with the dressing.

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  • Cover bowl with a lid or foil and place in the fridge to marinate for at least 2 hours before serving. When ready to serve, garnish with mint leaves (optional) and enjoy!

Notes

Ripe Fruit – make sure all fruit is fully ripe to get the best flavor. Unripe fruit can be bitter and too tangy.

Yogurt Dressing – Feel free to get creative with the dressing by using flavored yogurts. You can also use dairy free yogurt.

Storage – Fruit salad is best eaten within 24 hours but will stay good in the fridge for up to 4 days. If you have leftovers, you can blend it and make a fresh smoothie or freeze it for future smoothies.

Nutrition

Serving: 1CupCalories: 165kcalCarbohydrates: 25gProtein: 3gFat: 7gFiber: 4gSugar: 19g

Keyword fruit salad, fruit salad recipe, summer fruit salad, summer salad

Did you make this recipe? Be sure to tag me on Instagram!@KaylaJChandler or #FeelinFabWithKayla

Looking for more healthy summer recipes?

Here’s a few of my favorite healthy recipes to make in the Spring and Summer months.

  • Mango Chicken Salad with Homemade Cilantro Lime Dressing – delicious summer salad with a mix of sweet and savory flavors!
  • Refreshing Coconut Water Fruit Popsicles – perfect to keep you and the family cool in the hot summer months!
  • No-Bake Mango Pineapple Energy Balls – a healthy snack to keep you energized between meals.
  • Chili Lime Plantain Chips – a crunchy, spicy snack to satisfy your savory snack cravings.
  • Frozen Banana Snickers – the perfect sweet and chocolate-y snack!
  • Creamy Egg Salad Recipe – perfect healthy no-reheat lunch for summer (or try my mayonnaise-free avocado egg salad)!

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About Me

Perfect Summer Fruit Salad Recipe (12)

Kayla Chandler

Hey there! I'm Kayla Chandler - a Certified Holistic Nutritionist living the great state of Texas! My goal is to help you achieve optimal wellness via whole food nutrition and a healthy lifestyle. Read more about my personal health journey...

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Perfect Summer Fruit Salad Recipe (13)

Perfect Summer Fruit Salad Recipe (14)

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Perfect Summer Fruit Salad Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What keeps fruit salad from turning brown? ›

Use citrus juice, like orange or lemon juice

“To prevent fruit salad from turning brown, you can toss the fruits in a mixture of citrus juice (like lemon or orange juice) before combining them, as the citric acid in the juice helps inhibit enzymatic browning by reducing the fruits' exposure to oxygen,” she says.

What ingredient could you add to a fruit salad to keep the fruit from oxidizing? ›

A quick dunk in a combination of acid and water keeps the fruit from turning brown without changing its flavor profile. In a large bowl, combine 1 cup of water with 1 teaspoon lemon or lime juice (or 1/2 teaspoon white vinegar).

What fruits can go together in a bowl? ›

For the salad: Layer fruit in a large, clear glass bowl in this order: pineapple, strawberries, kiwi fruit, bananas, oranges, grapes, and blueberries. Pour cooled sauce over fruit; cover and refrigerate for 3 to 4 hours before serving.

Will vinegar keep fruit from turning brown? ›

Lemon juice, Vinegar, clear soda will all prevent food from turning brown quickly. These liquids are acidic, so they will lower the pH of the food surface. Olive oil, will also prevent food from browning, but is less effective than the acids.

Which fruit are known as the summer fruit? ›

Mango. For a lot of people, summers are synonymous with mangoes – the king of fruits. Not only are they extremely appetizing, but they also pack in a ton of goodness. They're a good source of calories so, when you find your energy being zapped by the summer heat, just bite into a few mango slices for a quick boost.

Which fruit is juicy summer fruit? ›

Watermelon. With its perfectly sweet juice and satisfying crunch, watermelon is the ultimate summer companion and portable hydration station. Watermelon stars as an afternoon snack or summer salad ingredient.

What fruit should not be refrigerated? ›

Fruits that should not be refrigerated include bananas, apples, melons, and berries. Keep in mind that many fruits will ripen more quickly when left at room temperature but will stay fresh longer if refrigerated once ripe.

What is fruit salad dressing made of? ›

Try a simplified version, leaving out the flour and simply stirring together honey, fruit juice, lemon and sugar. Add zest: Stir the zest of a lemon, lime, orange or grapefruit into the dressing to add a lively, fresh flavor.

How can you prevent fruit from turning brown after it is cut? ›

Keep cut fruits, such as apples, pears, bananas, and peaches from turning brown by: Coating them with an acidic juice such as lemon, orange, or pineapple juice.

How can I keep my salad from turning brown? ›

How to Store Lettuce
  1. Wrap. Wrap whole heads of lettuce loosely in Glad® Food Storage Zipper Bags.
  2. Once cut, seal lettuce in a Glad® Food Storage Zipper Bag or a GladWare® food protection container.
  3. Place a lightly dampened paper towel in with the lettuce to keep it crisp.
  4. Store in the refrigerator.

Does lemon juice help keep fruit salad fresh? ›

To prevent the effects of oxidation, fruit needs citric acid, and lemons are full of it. As a natural antioxidant, lemon juice can help prolong the life of fruit salad (as well as its visual appeal) by inactivating the enzyme polyphenol oxidase, which is responsible for the browning.

How to keep cut up fruit fresh in the fridge? ›

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends washing all fruits and vegetables under cold running water before preparation. Once fruits and vegetables are cut, chopped, or cooked, they should be refrigerated in covered containers or frozen in plastic freezer containers.

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