Fresh Spring Fruit Salad with Sweet Citrus Dressing
A vibrant medley of seasonal spring fruits tossed with sweet citrus dressing, this spring fruit salad is the perfect side dish for this time of year! Easy to make and very refreshing, this simple recipe is great for everything from Sunday brunch and special occasions to casual weekday meals.
Spring Fruit Salad
When springtime comes around, I find myself craving fresh fruits and veggies for every meal. After months of warm comfort foods, I just want something cold and refreshing when the warmer weather arrives.
This tasty and easy fruit salad recipe is one of my go-tos! It is so simple to make and tastes amazing, with a variety of fresh fruit and a dressing that is both tart and sweet. Whenever I need a side dish that is a beautiful show stopper without too much hassle, I turn to this delicious salad.
How to Make Spring Fruit Salad
- Make the dressing. Whip up a delicious, simple dressing by whisking together orange juice, lime juice, zest, and honey.
- Chop the fruit. Aim for small, uniformly-sized fruit bits so every bite has a delightful mix of fruit. I like to supreme the oranges for the best visual appeal.
- Toss it together. Add the chopped fruit to a large bowl and mix it with a wooden spoon. Drizzle the dressing over and toss it all together.
- Let it marinate. For the best flavor, allow your fruit salad to marinate 10-15 minutes before serving.
Fruit Salad Tips
Shop in season. Fruits that are in their peak season are the most fresh, flavorful, and affordable! This recipe uses only fruits that are in season in the spring so your fruit salad can taste its best.
Make it fresh. You can make fruit salad a few hours ahead of time, but it is best eaten the day it’s made. For best results, serve it the same day you prepare it (though leftovers will still be edible for a few days).
Give your pineapple time to ripen. It is very rare to find a perfectly ripe pineapple at the grocery store. They usually need to sit on the counter for a few days to be juicy and sweet. Plan ahead when buying your pineapple, or opt for frozen and thawed pineapple.
Chop your fruit small. I find that cutting the fruit into smaller pieces gives each bite a good mix of fruit.
Variations
- Make it a creamy fruit salad by adding yogurt or whipped cream to the dressing.
- Mix it up for different seasons! Make it a fall fruit salad or use summer fruits to make a summer fruit salad.
- Add some crunch. Toasted nuts such as almonds, pecans, or walnuts are great additions to fruit salad for a little protein and crunch. Seeds such as poppy seeds or toasted sesame seeds are also delicious.
- Try a different citrus juice in the dressing. Instead of lime and orange juice, use fresh lemon juice or pineapple juice.
- Add fresh herbs. A bit of fresh mint makes a fruit salad all the more flavorful and refreshing!
Serving Suggestions
This spring fruit salad is a delicious and healthy side dish to add to your gatherings or enjoy for breakfast. With its bright colors and fresh flavor, this salad will surely be a crowd favorite.
It’s great for special occasions such as baby showers, bridal showers, Easter brunch, or spring equinox parties. Because the recipe is so quick and easy, this salad is also great for a simple breakfast or dinner at home!
Spring fruit salad also makes a yummy dessert on its own or with ice cream.
Frequently Asked Questions
What fruits are in season in the spring?
What’s in season varies based on where you live and what month it is, but generally speaking, these fruits are in season in the spring:
- Strawberries
- Blueberries
- Pineapple
- Citrus fruits
- Kiwi
- Cherries
- Bananas
- Mangos
Does fruit salad have to have dressing?
Nope! Fruit salad dressing adds a bit of extra flavor and can keep the fruit fresh longer, but it is certainly not required. Fruit mixed together on its own is utterly delicious!
How long does fruit salad last?
Fruit salad is good for 2-4 days in the fridge in an airtight container. The fruit starts to get a little mushy the longer it sits, so I recommend eating it as soon as possible. That said, you can meal prep it a few days in advance if needed!
More Spring Recipes You’ll Love
Spring Fruit Salad with Sweet Citrus Dressing
A vibrant medley of seasonal spring fruits tossed with sweet citrus dressing, this spring fruit salad is the perfect side dish for this time of year!
Ingredients
For the Fruit Salad:
- 1 pint fresh strawberries
- 1 large blood orange
- 1 mandarin orange
- 2 cups pineapple (fresh or frozen, thawed)
- 4 kiwis
For the Sweet Citrus Dressing:
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- Juice and zest of one lime
- 1 teaspoon honey
Instructions
- Prep the fruit by removing the peels of the pineapple, oranges, and kiwis. Hull the strawberries (and use the tops for strawberry vinegar!). Core the pineapple if using fresh.
- Chop the fruit into small, uniformly-size pieces. Set aside.
- Mix the dressing ingredients together in a small bowl. Whisk well until the honey is dissolved.
- Toss fruit in a large bowl, drizzle on the dressing, and give it a good mix.
- Allow to sit for 10-15 minutes in the fridge, then serve immediately or store in an airtight container.
