There is something about a big bowl of fresh fruit that just quenches that summer heat. This Easy Summer Fruit Salad is perfect for pool-side snacking, weekend picnics, or any time you're just looking for a healthy snack.
Long summer days. Warm evenings spent outside. Pool time. Picnics at the park.
All the outside time in the summer, we just can't be bothered to make complicated and involved meals and snacks. This perfect summer fruit salad is one of those recipes you can whip together in the morning, pop in the cooler, and take out when everyone's hot and hungry.
The most difficult part is chopping all the fruit - ie, not hard at all!
Fresh Fruit Salad Ingredient Spotlight
Mandarin Oranges - did you know that mandarin oranges are even BETTER than your regular old navel oranges? Yup! They have even more beta-carotene and beta-cryptoxanthin, which your body turns into Vitamin A. This helps your immune system and vision!
Kiwi Fruit - These fuzzy green fruits are high in Vitamin C and fiber and play a part in your heart health, digestive health, and immunity.
Red Grapes - Red grapes have antioxidants that help the cardiovascular system, relaxing blood vessels and reducing inflammation.
Pineapple - This pokey fruit is high in vitamins (especially Vitamin C) and minerals, shortening viral and bacterial infections and strengthening your bones. It also has a substance called bromelain, which lowers inflammation - many people buy supplements that include bromelain, but it's much better to get your nutrients from fresh whole foods!
Blueberries - Blueberries are low in calories but high in nutrients - in fact they are the king of antioxidant foods! Antioxidants protect your body from free radicals (unstable molecules that can damage your cells and contribute to diseases such as cancer). Eat your bloobs!
Mint Leaves - Mint leaves may just seem like a flavor booster, but they're actually great for other reasons. Mint is another potent source of antioxidants, protecting you from those pesky free radicals. It's also effective at relieving indigestion.
Pineapple Juice - Like the actual pineapple fruit, pineapple juice not only adds a ton of sweet flavor to this summer fruit salad, but it boosts your immunity and fights inflammation in your body. Great for detoxifying, regulating your blood pressure, and promoting healthy digestion.
Gah, with all these health benefits in each individual fruit, this easy fruit salad is a true winner all around. Packed with a ton of flavor and ready to build your body up for health and wellness!
In just 10 minutes, you can have this perfect fresh fruit salad ready to grab for your hot busy summer days ahead!
Step-by-Step Instructions for The Best Fruit Salad
Step 1 - Prepare the mandarin oranges by peeling and separating into segments. Remove any white strings. Add to a large serving bowl.
Step 2 - Peel the kiwis, cut in half, and slice. Add to the bowl.
Step 3 - Add grapes, pineapple, and blueberries to the bowl. Top with mint leaves.
Step 4 - In a small bowl, mix the agave (or maple syrup) with the pineapple juice. Pour over the fruit salad and toss gently to combine.
Step 5 - Best served immediately.
This Easy Fruit Salad Recipe is everything you've ever needed when it comes to summer goodness:
- refreshing with every bite
- super quick and easy to throw together
- ridiculously healthy AND delicious
- perfect for on-the-go day trips
Holly's Insider Pro Tips
Refrigerate the fruit
I highly suggest refrigerating your fruit ahead of time so you're able to serve the fruit salad right away. No one likes a room-temperature fruit salad, and as soon as you cut into the fruit, it will all start to oxidize and lose it's freshness (and vitamin power!).
Stop the browning
If you're not going to serve the salad right away, go ahead and add a sprinkling of fresh lemon juice to keep your beautiful bright fruits from browning.
Summer Fruit Salad FAQs
While you can make this a little bit ahead of time, I would suggest making it no longer than 4 hours before serving because of oxidization and browning. Cover the salad well with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator or cooler.
I would suggest other similarly-flavored fruits that would compliment each other and not brown too quickly. Steer clear of bananas or raspberries that may get too mushy. Strawberries, navel oranges, and blackberries are all good options.
Summer fruit salads are best made with fresh fruits. Take advantage of seasonal fruits if you can't find one of the ingredients.
Looking for more Summer Vegan Recipes?
Vegan Egg Salad Sandwich
Vegan Chicken Salad
Stuffed Italian Zucchini Boats
Complete the meal with these Vegan Dessert Recipes
Vegan Zucchini Bread
Lemon Blueberry Pound Cake
Vegan Cheesecake
Rainbow Fruit Nachos
Vegan No-Bake Cookies
Now that you know how to easy it is to make this easy fruit salad recipe, please give it a star rating below and comment letting me know how it turned out for you.
Easy Summer Fruit Salad
Ingredients
- 2 pound mandarin oranges about 6-8 mandarin oranges
- 4 kiwi peeled, halved, and sliced
- 1 pound seedless red grapes halved
- 1 medium pineapple cut into chunks
- 1 ounces blueberries
- ½ cup mint leaves loosely packed
- 1 teaspoon agave or pure maple syrup
- ¼ pineapple juice
Instructions
- Prepare the mandarin oranges by peeling and separating into segments. Remove any white strings. Add to a large serving bowl.
- Peel the kiwis, cut in half, and slice. Add to the bowl.
- Add grapes, pineapple, and blueberries to the bowl. Top with mint leaves.
- In a small bowl, mix the agave (or maple syrup) with the pineapple juice. Pour over the fruit salad and toss gently to combine.
- Best served immediately.
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