Tropical Fruit Salad (2024)

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Beat the summer heat with a fresh, colorful tropical fruit salad with a honey lime dressing – this is my favorite fruit dish to bring to picnics and cookouts – and its stylish, sweet, and always the first thing gone!

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We add lots of tips in our recipe – so you can make this dish, understand why it works and what each ingredient means to the flavor of a recipe. I also answer questions my friends and family have asked about my recipes, to help home cooks of any skill level better understand the processes we use and why!

Colorful Tropical Fruit Salad

Tropical summer salads are one of my favorite parts of summer entertaining – they are pretty, easy to whip up, and get kids eating fruit without extra sugar.

One of the reasons I love serving fruit salad is because it is a great way to add new fruits like dragonfruit and golden berries to a dish – so picky kids (and adults, lets be honest) can try new fruits without turning up their nose to them when they are mixed with strawberries and pineapple.

If you’re looking for an effortlessly elegant way to serve this salad, try popping it in a coconut, or the outside of the pineapple or dragonfruits after you’ve scooped out the fruit inside.

This fruit salad is best served chilled – but don’t worry much about serving temperature. The fruit will wilt in heat, but is safe to eat room temperature, making it a perfect easy side dish for taking to parties or even just a snack in the park!

How to Make Perfect Tropical Fruit Salad

First assemble the following ingredients:

• Strawberries (1 lb.) – Sweet and slightly tart, strawberries add a vibrant red color and juicy texture to the fruit salad.
• Pineapple (1 lb.) – Fresh pineapple brings a bright, tangy sweetness that enhances the tropical flavor profile.
• Mango (1) –Juicy and fragrant, ripe mango adds a rich, tropical sweetness and smooth texture.
• Golden berries (1 lb.) – Tart and tangy, golden berries provide a unique burst of flavor and a touch of acidity.
• Dragonfruit (2) – With its striking appearance and mild sweetness, dragonfruit adds visual appeal and a subtle crunch.
• Fresh lime juice – Fresh lime juice adds a zesty, citrusy tang that brightens and balances the sweetness of the fruits.
• Honey – A drizzle of honey enhances the natural sweetness of the fruits and adds a light floral note.

Once you’ve gathered ingredients, we will use this method:

• Add your chopped strawberries, pineapple, mandarin oranges, kiwi and blueberries to a large bowl.
• Pour your desired amount of dressing over the top and toss until the salad is fully coated.
• Cover the bowl and let your fruit chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour. When you’re ready to serve, toss the salad in your dressing and serve immediately.

Tips for the Best Ever Tropical Fruit Salad

Choose Ripe Fruits: Select ripe, sweet fruits like mango, pineapple, papaya, kiwi, and passion fruit for the best flavor.

Variety of Textures: Include a mix of soft and firm fruits to create a pleasing texture contrast.

Uniform Sizing: Cut the fruits into similar-sized pieces for a visually appealing presentation and even distribution of flavors.

Citrus Juice: Toss the fruit with a bit of fresh lime or lemon juice to enhance the flavors -and also to prevent browning. If you don’t have any citrus juice, you can also toss in a bit of Sprite, which keeps fruit from browning, too!

Mint Leaves: Add fresh mint leaves for a refreshing burst of flavor and a pop of color.

Chill Before Serving: Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to let the flavors come together.

Avoid Overmixing: Gently toss the fruit to avoid bruising and breaking up the pieces – if you’re too rough, it will turn to a chunky mush.

Add a Tropical Twist: Incorporate coconut flakes or a splash of coconut water for an extra tropical touch.

Serve in a Fruit Bowl: Use a hollowed-out pineapple or melon as a serving bowl for an impressive presentation.

Balance Flavor: Balance the sweetness with a pinch of sea salt or a dash of chili powder if you want a bit of a kick!

Garnish: Top with edible flowers or a sprinkle of toasted nuts for added texture and visual appeal. I LOVE to add edible flowers to summery salads.

Spicy Tropical Salad

If you’re looking for an unexpected twist to fruit salad, and your family doesn’t mind some extra zing, I absolutely LOVE adding chili lime to this salad.

Fruit salads are amazing with Tajin and similar chili-lime seasoning mixes – and I also love adding spicy tamarind chili mixes to fruit, as well!

Start by adding just a bit and tossing with fruit, then add additional spice to taste.

FAQs

What to Serve with Tropical Fruit Salad

Grilled Chicken: Lightly seasoned or marinated grilled chicken pairs well with the fresh flavors of fruit salad.

Quiche: A savory quiche, especially with ingredients like spinach or cheese, balances the sweetness of the fruit salad.

BBQ Ribs: The sweet and tangy fruit salad can be a refreshing side to rich and smoky BBQ ribs.

Breakfast Burritos: A hearty breakfast burrito with eggs, veggies, and cheese goes well with a refreshing fruit salad.

Pulled Pork Sandwiches: The tangy and sweet flavors of fruit salad complement the rich taste of pulled pork.

Cheese Platter: A selection of cheeses, nuts, and crackers can be a delightful complement to the fruit salad.

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