Simple Red Fruit Salad
This bright red fruit salad is fresh, juicy, and easy to pull together for brunch, picnics, or a light dessert. A quick lime-honey dressing adds just enough shine without covering up the fruit.
- Total time
- 20 min
- Yield
- 6 servings
- Difficulty
- Easy
Prep 20mCook 0mAmericanSalads
A good fruit salad does not need much. Start with ripe red fruit, cut everything into easy bites, and toss gently so the berries stay pretty.
This version uses strawberries, red grapes, watermelon, raspberries, and cherries. The mix gives you crisp, soft, sweet, and tart bites in the same bowl.
The dressing is only honey, lime, zest, mint, and a tiny pinch of salt. Salt may sound surprising, but a little bit makes the fruit taste more like itself.
01What you'll need
Ingredients
10 items · 6 servings
- 1 pound fresh strawberries, hulled and quartered, about 3 cups
- 2 cups seedless red grapes, halved, about 300 grams
- 2 cups cubed seedless watermelon, about 304 grams
- 1 cup fresh raspberries, about 123 grams
- 1 cup pitted sweet cherries, halved, about 154 grams
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 1 teaspoon finely grated lime zest
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
- 1 small pinch fine salt, about 1/16 teaspoon
02How to make it
Step-by-step
1. Wash and dry the fruit
Rinse the strawberries, grapes, raspberries, and cherries under cool water. Pat them dry with a clean towel or let them drain well. Dry fruit holds the dressing better and keeps the salad from turning watery too fast.
2. Cut the sturdy fruit
Hull the strawberries, which means removing the leafy tops, then cut them into quarters. Halve the grapes and cherries. Cut the watermelon into bite-size cubes. Try to keep the pieces similar in size so each serving gets a good mix.
3. Mix the dressing
In a large serving bowl, whisk together the honey, lime juice, lime zest, and salt. Whisk means to stir quickly with a fork or whisk until the honey loosens and the dressing looks smooth.
4. Add the firmer fruit
Add the strawberries, grapes, watermelon, and cherries to the bowl. Toss gently with a large spoon until the fruit is lightly coated. Avoid mashing the fruit against the side of the bowl.
5. Fold in the berries and mint
Add the raspberries and chopped mint. Fold them in gently, which means lifting the fruit from the bottom and turning it over softly. This keeps the raspberries from breaking apart.
6. Rest and serve chilled
Let the salad sit in the refrigerator for 10 to 15 minutes if you have time. This short rest helps the flavors blend. Serve cold with a spoon, including a little of the juice from the bottom of the bowl.
03From our kitchen
Cook's tips
- Make-ahead: Cut the strawberries, grapes, cherries, and watermelon up to 1 day ahead. Store them covered in the refrigerator. Add the raspberries, mint, and dressing within 1 hour of serving for the freshest texture.
- Storage: Leftovers keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The fruit will release more juice as it sits, so stir gently before serving.
- Swaps: Use red plums, pomegranate arils, blood orange pieces, red apple, or blackberries in place of one of the fruits. If using apple, add it close to serving so it stays crisp.
- To make it vegan: Replace the honey with maple syrup or agave syrup. Start with 2 teaspoons, then add more if the fruit needs it.
- If the salad tastes flat: Add another squeeze of lime juice and a tiny pinch more salt. If it tastes too tart, drizzle in a little extra honey.
Cook's note
For the cleanest flavor, choose ripe but not overripe fruit. Very soft berries and watermelon can make the salad mushy, especially if it needs to travel.
04Frequently asked
Questions & answers
Can I use frozen fruit for this red fruit salad?
Fresh fruit works best because it stays firm and juicy. Frozen fruit softens as it thaws and releases a lot of liquid, so the salad can become soupy. If frozen fruit is all you have, thaw it in a strainer and add it right before serving.
How far ahead can I make fruit salad?
You can prep most of the fruit 1 day ahead, but the finished salad is best within a few hours. Add delicate raspberries, fresh mint, and the lime dressing close to serving time.
Do I have to use mint?
No. Mint adds a cool, fresh flavor, but you can leave it out. Thinly sliced basil is also good with strawberries and watermelon.
What can I use instead of lime juice?
Fresh lemon juice works well. Orange juice is sweeter and milder, so use 2 tablespoons and reduce the honey if your fruit is already very sweet.
Why is my fruit salad watery?
Fruit naturally releases juice after it is cut. To reduce extra liquid, dry the fruit well after washing, avoid overripe watermelon, and dress the salad shortly before serving.
05Per serving
Nutrition facts
Nutrition Facts
6 servings
Amount per serving
% Daily Value*
- Total Fat1 g
- 1%
- Saturated Fat0 g
- 0%
- Cholesterol0 mg
- 0%
- Sodium27 mg
- 1%
- Total Carbohydrate28 g
- 10%
- Dietary Fiber4 g
- 14%
- Total Sugars22 g
- Protein2 g
- 4%
- Vitamin D0 mcg
- 0%
- Calcium31 mg
- 2%
- Iron0.9 mg
- 5%
- Potassium363 mg
- 8%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
05Keep cooking
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