Summer is here! I appreciate side dishes I don’t have to actively cook when the weather is scorching. This Happy & Healthy Fresh Summer Fruit Salad makes the perfect side to bring to a barbecue or just to keep in your fridge as a refreshing, healthy treat. The “sauce” requires just a few minutes of stove time. However, the rest is made up of raw, juicy, delicious fruit. This salad and sauce are gluten-free, dairy-free, and easily made paleo!
EQUIPMENT
- A citrus zester or the superfine side of a cheese grater
- Large mixing bowl
- Medium sauce pan
- Whisk or spoon
- Measuring spoons
- Measuring cups
- Knife
- Cutting board
INGREDIENTS FOR HAPPY & HEALTHY FRESH SUMMER FRUIT SALAD
For the sauce:
- 1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1/3 cup brown sugar, packed (sub coconut sugar if paleo)
- 2/3 cup orange juice
- 1 tsp zest of an orange
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
For the salad:
- 1 cup blackberries
- 2 cups grapes
- 2 cups blueberries, fresh
- 2 cups strawberries, hulled and sliced
- 3 mandarin oranges, peeled divided into sections
- 1/2 of a seedless watermelon, rind removed and cut into cubes
Optional:
- 2 bananas, sliced
- 3 kiwis, peeled and sliced
How to Make Fresh Summer Fruit Salad?
Step 1:
Firstly, in a medium sauce pan, whisk together lemon juice, orange juice, sugar, & orange zest.
Step 2:
Secondly, over medium-high heat, bring the mixture to a boil. Lower heat to medium-low and let the liquid simmer until it thickens slightly, about 5-7 minutes. Then remove from heat, and set aside to cool.
Step 3:
Next, layer fruit one kind at a time in any order you’d like into the mixing bowl. Then once it’s cooled, pour the sauce mixture over the fruit. Cover the bowl tightly with foil, saran wrap, or a lid. You’ll want to refrigerate the salad for at least 2 hours.
Step 3:
Lastly, mix fruit together well with sauce before serving and enjoy!
Tips
- Taste the sauce as you’re making it and adjust the amount of sugar accordingly. Some fruits may be sweeter than others
- Let the fruit salad chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before serving.
- Fruit salad is best enjoyed fresh on the day it’s made. If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator and consume within a day or two for the best quality.
Looking for something to make with fruit salad? Try some Life Changing Chicken Nuggets or delicious grilled chicken made with a paleo marinade (instructions for baking and air-frying are included)!
Fresh Summer Fruit Salad
Course: DessertCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy10
servings15
minutes5
minutes100
kcal20
minutesA fresh, juicy salad brimming with summer fruits & a delicious, healthy dressing.
Ingredients
- FOR THE SAUCE
1/3 cup lemon juice freshly squeezed
1/3 cup packed brown sugar coconut sugar if paleo
2/3 cup orange juice
1 tsp zest of an orange
1 tsp vanilla extract
- FOR THE SALAD
1 cup blackberries
2 cups grapes
2 cups blueberries
2 cups strawberries hulled & sliced
3 mandarin oranges peeled & sectioned
1/2 a seedless watermelon rind removed and cut into cubes
Directions
- In a medium sauce pan, whisk together lemon juice, orange juice, sugar, & orange zest
- Over medium-high heat, bring the mixture to a boil. Lower heat to medium-low and let the liquid simmer until it thickens slightly, about 5-7 minutes. Then remove from heat, and set aside to cool
- Layer fruit one kind at a time in any order you'd like into the mixing bowl. Once it's cooled, pour the sauce mixture over the fruit. Cover the bowl tightly with foil, saran wrap, or a lid. Refrigerate the salad for at least 2 hours
- Mix fruit together well with sauce before serving and enjoy!
Notes
- Taste the sauce as you're making it and adjust the amount of sugar accordingly. Some fruits may be sweeter than others
- Let the fruit salad chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before serving.
- Fruit salad is best enjoyed fresh on the day it's made. If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator and consume within a day or two for the best quality.
