A summer BBQ isn’t complete without a fruit salad. While this delectable blend of fresh fruit is often overlooked, it is truly one of the most delicious dishes on the table! And when it comes to fruit salads, this is The Ultimate Fruit Salad, and is sure to be the star of the show. It’s filled with tender chunks of fresh fruit, topped with a zesty dressing, fresh mint, and flaky sea salt., for a dish that you will keep coming back for. Plus, there are NO bananas in this recipe, making this fruit salad anything but boring! Whether you’re making this as a BBQ-friendly dish, or simply whipping it up as a snack, you can’t go wrong with this fruit salad!
Friends, summertime is right around the corner, which means it’s almost time for one of my favorite summer activities: backyard BBQs! Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve loved a classic backyard BBQ. And as I’ve gotten older, that love has only grown. I mean, who doesn’t love being outside, on a warm summer evening, surrounded by friends, and indulging in the best type of food? From burgers to pasta salad and even summer cocktails, BBQ food truly can’t be beat.
But one important (albeit, underrated) part of the BBQ spread? The fruit salad. Call me crazy, but I truly think a good fruit salad can be the best part of the entire meal. I mean, who doesn’t love fresh fruit on a hot summer day? Plus, a good fruit salad isn’t just chopped fruit in a bowl… it should always include a dressing AND garnishes. Why? Because life is too short to eat boring salads.
So, when I say this is The Ultimate Fruit Salad, I truly mean it. It is THE ultimate salad. The combinations of fruits pair perfectly together, the dressing is sweet and delicious, and don’t even get me started on the garnish of fresh mint and flaky salt. When I say it’s almost too good to be true, I mean it!
What You Need to Make The Most Perfect Fruit Salad
- Strawberries: Chopped strawberries are essential to any fruit salad recipe, and are a fan-favorite fruit that everyone is sure to enjoy!
- Mangos: When I think of summertime, I think of mangos. These sweet little fruits truly taste like summer. And, not to mention, they’re also high in fiber and Vitamin A.
- Grapes: You can use either green or red grapes in this recipe. Both work just as well! Just be sure that you clean them properly before adding them to the fruit salad.
- Mandarins: Mandarins are loaded with Vitamin C, and are perfectly bite sized, making them a great addition to this fruit salad (and better than traditional orange slices).
- Kiwi: Kiwis are high in fiber and Vitamin C, and are truly one of the most underrated fruits! Plus, they add a beautiful green color to our fruit salad that is truly unbeatable.
- Blueberries: Fresh blueberries are high in antioxidants, helping your skin stay nice and radiant all summer long!
- Apples: I like using chopped Honey Crisp apples for this salad, but you can use any variety of apples that you prefer.
- Orange Juice: To make the dressing for this fruit salad, we will be using orange juice. Why? Because there’s no better dressing for a fruit salad than one made of actual fruit!
- Honey: Honey and fruit are a match made in heaven, and tastes perfect in this dressing.
- Lime: If you’ve never tried a squeeze of fresh lime juice on top of your fruit salad, then let me be the first to tell you: it is AMAZING! It adds the perfect amount of sourness to complement the sweet fruits, without making the whole salad too tart or sour.
- Fresh Mint: A few sprigs of fresh mint add brightness and flavor to this fruit salad!
- Flaky Salt: This is optional, but highly recommended! A pinch of sea salt perfectly compliments the sweetness of the fruit and brings this dish together.
How to Make The Most Flavorful, Summer Fruit Salad
Making this fruit salad is so simple and easy, you’ll want to make it ll the time! Simply start by washing and chopping all of your fruit and adding it to a large bowl.
Next, prepare the dressing by whisking the dressing ingredients together in a small bowl. Pour the dressing on top of the fruit salad, then toss to combine, being careful not to mash the fruit in the process.
Finally, add your mint leaves and flaky salt to the fruit salad, toss once more, serve, and enjoy! Store any leftovers, in the fridge, for up to one week!
If you make this recipe, please be sure to leave a review and rating below! To see more recipes and behind the scenes, follow along on Instagram, TikTok, and Youtube! I’m also now on Pinterest, so stop by and take a look at what’s new.
** Photography by Tanya Pilgrim
Ingredients
For the Fruit Salad:
- 1 Cup Strawberries, chopped
- ¾ Cup Mango, chopped
- ¾ Cup Grapes, chopped
- 4 Mandarins, segmented
- 4 Kiwis, chopped
- 1 Cup Blueberries
- 2 Apples, chopped
For the Dressing:
- ¼ Cup Orange Juice
- 3 Tablespoons Honey
- 1 Lime, zested and juiced
Instructions
- To make this fruit salad, start by washing and chopping all of your fruit and adding it to a large bowl.
- Next, prepare the dressing by whisking the dressing ingredients together in a small bowl.
- Pour the dressing on top of the fruit salad, then toss to combine, being careful not to mash the fruit in the process.
- Finally, add your mint leaves and flaky salt to the fruit salad, toss once more, serve, and enjoy!
- Store any leftovers, in the fridge, for up to one week.
Rate & review
SELECT A RATING and tell me what you think!
What others are saying
Sounds delish! I’m going to try it for Easter.
Note: the recipe doesn’t contain the amount for mint or salt. I found it in the description, but it’d be nice to have it in the recipe itself.
I hope you enjoy it, Jana!
This worked exactly as written, thanks!
This is even better the next day!
I am so happy to hear that, Mary Jean! Thank you so much for your review!
Trying this today! Can I sub mandarin oranges with pineapple? Wondering if the dressing will still compliment it.