Easy Fruit Salad Recipe – A Delicious Small Batch Recipe

There’s something extremely refreshing about a taking a bite into a cold fruit salad on a sweltering, hot summer day. In fact during the warmer months I almost always have a bowl of it in the refrigerator for a quick snack whenever I need one.

However it is also one of my favorite easy side dish recipes to make and enjoy with others at summertime gatherings and picnics. In fact it is a great last minute dish to prepare because you can have it ready to eat in only 10 minutes!

Plus it is a much healthier alternative to traditional barbecue side dishes such as potato salad and pasta salad. However, it is also a recipe that is sweet enough to serve as a healthy dessert option.

Grab a bowl after dinner and you will satisfy any sweet tooth. Although don’t just think of serving this tropical dish for dinner or dessert.

I often will grab a bowl at breakfast or serve it over yogurt for a quick and healthy snack in the middle of the day. The versatility of this recipe is what I love most about it.

It can easily be customized to suit your taste preferences or to utilize whatever fruits you have on hand.

What Fruit To Add To Fruit Salad

This easy fruit salad recipe consists of a combination of fruits that provide you with a ton of flavor in every bite. Strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, grapes, and pineapple tidbits are tossed together and then orange zest and orange juice are added for not only additional flavor, but also a touch of brightness.

However you can add or substitute other fruits like kiwis, mangoes, peaches, or cherries to mix things up. Remember, the beauty of a fruit salad is its versatility!

What Fruits To Avoid In Fruit Salad

While diversity is key in a fruit salad, some fruits are better left out or added right before serving. Fruits like bananas, apples, and pears can brown quickly after being cut, losing their visual appeal.

Furthermore, extremely soft fruits like overripe peaches or plums can break down and make the salad mushy. And nobody wants that!

Fruits To Add Right Before Serving

As mentioned above, fruits that tend to oxidize and turn brown quickly (bananas, pears and apples) can be included in the fruit salad. However if you choose to include them they should be added just before serving.

Although tossing the prepared fruit in lemon juice or lemon lime soda can help slow down the browning process, it will alter the flavor of the fruit salad. Therefore if you want to add them, it is best to add these fruits at the last minute to maintain their freshness and color.

Tips To Preparing Fruit Salad

• Various Methods To Hull Strawberries: You can hull strawberries with a huller, a straw, or a paring knife. The goal is to remove the leafy top and the white core without wasting too much of the fruit.

• Best Way To Slice Grapes: Want to make quick time of slicing a bunch of grapes in half at once? Do this by placing a bunch of washed grapes on a cutting board. Then place a plate over top of the grapes. Hold the plate firmly down with one hand and then use a knife to slice through the center of all the grapes.

• How to Zest An Orange: Using a zester or microplaner, lightly scrape the surface of the orange, zesting only the colored part of the peel. Be careful not to scrape into the white pith, which will be bitter tasting.

• When To Add The Orange & Mint: The orange zest, juice, and mint should be added right before serving to keep the flavors fresh.

How To Store

This fruit salad can be refrigerated for up to 3 hours before serving. If you plan to prepare it ahead of time, omit the orange zest, juice, and mint, then cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours.

Add the remaining ingredients right before serving. The salad will remain good for up to 3-4 days, but the texture may change as the fruit begins to releases their juices.

So there you have it – your guide to creating a quick, refreshing, and utterly delightful small-batch fruit salad! Remember, this recipe is more of a starting point, so feel free to get creative and use whatever fruits that you enjoy.

Easy Fruit Salad Recipe

*A printable recipe card is located at the bottom of this article which contains the specific measurements, temperatures and cook times. However, continue reading below to learn about more helpful tips about this specific recipe.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 1/2 cups fresh strawberries
• 1 1/2 cups fresh raspberries
• 1 cup fresh blueberries
• 1 cup grapes
• 1 cup pineapple tidbits
• 1 orange (for zest and juice)

Optional:
chopped fresh mint leaves

INSTRUCTIONS

Start by washing and then patting the strawberries dry. Then hull them and cut them into quarter sections. Place them in a medium size serving bowl.

Wash and dry the raspberries and blueberries and add them to the bowl with the strawberries. Wash and dry the grapes and slice them in half. Add the grape halves to the bowl with the other fruit.

Drain the can of pineapple tidbits, being sure to drain as much juice as possible. Add the pineapple tidbits to the bowl and gently mix until the fruit is well distributed.

Use a microplaner or zester to zest the orange until you get 1 teaspoon of zest, adding more per taste. Add it to the fruit salad bowl.

Then cut the orange in half and squeeze 1 teaspoon of juice over the fruit. Gently toss to coat.

Chop a few mint leaves (optional) and add it to the salad and toss one final time. Cover and refrigerate for up to 3 hours before serving.

RECIPE NOTES:

• If you want to prepare the fruit salad ahead of time omit the orange zest, orange juice and mint. Then cover the bowl and place the fruit in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Then add the zest, orange juice and mint right before serving.

• The fruit salad is good for up to 3-4 days, however the texture will be altered as the juices in the fruit releases.

• Add other fruits as desired, however be sure to read above on which fruits should not go into the salad unless adding them right at serving time.

Whether you’re planning a picnic, a summer gathering, or simply want a healthy treat to enjoy at home, this fruit salad is a fantastic choice.

Enjoy! Mary

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