Fresh Fruit Salad with Honey Lime Dressing is a quick, colorful, and crowd-pleasing side dish. This easy fruit salad recipe blends strawberries, kiwi, pineapple, apples, blueberries, and red grapes with a bright honey lime drizzle that brings out each fruit's natural flavor.
Unlike creamy fruit mixes or retro recipes like our Classic Waldorf Salad, this version is light and perfect for warm weather gatherings.
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Fresh fruit salad recipes have been a staple at picnics and are often loaded with syrupy dressings or canned fruit. This version takes a fresher, cleaner approach using fresh fruit and a naturally sweetened citrus-based dressing. The honey lime combination is perfect for each bite.
If you like this fruit salad recipe, you may also love our Melon Salad with Burrata, Pistachio, and Mint or our Kiwi Salad with Blackberries and Pecans.
Why We Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy Prep: Only 15 minutes of chopping and whisking.
- Fresh and Delicious: Packed with natural sweetness and all the good stuff! Just like this Summer Berry Spinach Salad.
- Great for Any Occasion: Perfect for brunches, barbecues, potlucks, and weeknight dinners.
- Kid-Friendly and Colorful: A rainbow of fruit makes it fun and eye-catching.
Fresh Fruit Salad Ingredients
Here's the fruit line-up that works best in a honey lime fruit salad!
- Strawberries: We use firm, ripe berries and slice them just thick enough to hold up in the mix.
- Fresh Pineapple: Juicy and bright, this adds natural sweetness and acidity.
- Kiwi: Peeled and sliced, it gives a tangy bite and beautiful green color.
- Blueberries: No slicing needed. Just rinse and toss them in.
- Apples: We like crisp varieties like Fuji or Honeycrisp. Make sure to toss in lime juice to prevent browning. Have leftovers? Try our Apple Cranberry Walnut Salad!
- Red Grapes: Halved for better bite-sized texture and easier eating.
- Fresh Lime Juice: Always use fresh for the best flavor.
- Honey: Natural sweetness that complements fruit without making it syrupy.
- Lime Zest: Adds citrusy aroma.
- Poppyseeds (optional): A little crunch and a fun visual touch.
A full ingredient list with exact measurements can be found in the recipe card below.
Substitutions & Variations
- Kiwi: Try mango or orange segments for a tropical flavor.
- Honey: Use agave or maple syrup.
- Grapes: Swap for pitted cherries or blackberries in summer.
- Flavor: Add a pinch of sea salt or Tajín for a sweet-savory contrast. Fresh mint or a pinch of chili powder can liven it up.
- Presentation: Serve in party cups or on a platter.
- Kid-Friendly: Use melon ballers to make fun fruit shapes.
How To Make Fresh Fruit Salad with Honey Lime Dressing
STEP ONE: Prep the Fruit
Wash, dry, and slice all fruit. Cut larger pieces like pineapple, apple, and strawberries into bite-size chunks.
STEP TWP: Whisk the Honey Lime Dressing
In a large serving bowl, whisk together lime juice, honey, lime zest, and poppyseeds (if using) until smooth.
STEP THREE: Add Fruit to Bowl
Place all the chopped fruit directly into the bowl with the dressing.
STEP FOUR: Toss Gently and Serve
Use a soft spatula to gently toss the fruit until evenly coated. Chill 30 minutes if desired.
Expert Tips for Success
👩🍳Jami's Pro Tips: Want to take this recipe to the next level? Check out my expert tips below for the best flavor, texture, and meal prep hacks!
✔️ DO Use fresh lime juice! Bottled just isn’t the same.
✔️ DO Do dry fruit well to prevent watery salad.
❌ DO NOT Use overripe berries or they’ll make the salad mushy.
❌ DO NOT Skip tossing the apples in citrus if you’re prepping ahead.
Storage
Store leftover chopped fruit salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. The fruit will soften slightly but still taste great. Do not freeze. Serve cold or at room temperature. There is no reheating needed.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can prep the fruit and dressing separately. Store them covered and combine just before serving. Toss apples in a little lime juice to keep them from browning.
We do not recommend because frozen fruit tends to release more water and can make the salad soggy if not handled properly. If you want to try this, be sure to thaw and drain it well.
Mango, orange segments, blackberries, or melon are great seasonal add-ins. Just avoid anything too soft or juicy that may break down quickly.
Some fruits like bananas, pears, or overly ripe berries are less ideal for fruit salads, especially if being made ahead of time. It is best to stick to firmer fruits like apples, grapes, kiwi, pineapple, and melon.
Fresh fruit salad is typically made with fresh, chopped fruit and served raw, often with a light dressing like citrus juice or honey. Fruit cocktail usually refers to a canned mix of fruit in syrup, sometimes including maraschino cherries, and often has a much sweeter, preserved flavor.
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📖 Recipe
Fresh Fruit Salad with Honey Lime Dressing
Equipment
- Large Mixing Bowl
- Small bowl or liquid measuring cup (for dressing)
- Whisk
- Chef’s Knife
- Cutting board
- Citrus zester or microplane
Ingredients
- 2 cups strawberries hulled and halved or quartered
- 2 cups pineapple, fresh cut into chunks
- 2 cups kiwis peeled and diced
- 1 cup blueberries
- 1 large apple Honeycrisp or Fuji, chopped
- 1 ½ cups red grapes halved
Honey Lime Dressing
- 2-3 tablespoons lime juice, fresh from 2 limes
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon lime zest
- 1 teaspoon poppyseeds
Instructions
- In a large serving bowl, whisk together lime juice, honey, lime zest, and poppyseeds until smooth.
- Layer in the strawberries, pineapple, kiwi, blueberries, apple, and grapes directly over the dressing.
- Gently toss everything together until the fruit is evenly coated. For best flavor, chill for 30 minutes before serving.
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Video
Notes
- Kiwi: Try mango or orange segments for a tropical flavor.
- Honey: Use agave or maple syrup.
- Grapes: Swap for pitted cherries or blackberries.
Jami Powell says
Perfect for summer!