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    Home » Sides » Salads » Healthy Summer Salads with Fruit

    Healthy Summer Salads with Fruit

    Published: Jun 2, 2022 by HWC Magazine · 69 Comments

    Healthy summer salads with fruits displaying 5 different recipes.

    Looking for a refreshing and healthy way to cool off on a hot summer’s day? Try these quick and easy Healthy Summer Salads with Fruit - Perfect idea for a picnic, BBQ, brunch, or shower. Serve these fruity salads alongside our Green Chicken Kababs,  Bacon Wrapped Sausage Stuffed Pork Tenderloin or our many other Summer Grilling and Chilling Recipes for a perfect summer dinner plan.

    Not only are these fruity salads packed with nutrients, but they are refined sugar free - delicious clean eats. We’ve included helpful hacks on how to keep fruit fresher longer, a "Fruit Flavor Pairing Chart" and numerous fresh fruit salads recipes for all your summer gatherings.

    Healthy summer salads with fruits displaying 5 different recipes.
    Jump to:
    • What’s to Love
    • Grow Together – Stay Together
    • The Basics!
    • How to make a Fruit Salad Taste Better?
    • Why does Fruit Turn Brown?
    • How do you keep fruit from browning in a salad?
    • What to Serve With?
    • Try these Recipes
    • Tomato = Vegetable or Fruit?
    • Dressings and Vinaigrettes
    • Frequent Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
    • More Delicious Salads

    What’s to Love

    If you’ve been craving a bright and colorful fruit salad with a homemade zippy dressing, we have just what you’ve been looking for. Don’t worry! Theses healthy salads do NOT contain mayonnaise, ambrosia marshmallows, or whipped topping, (or any of those weird creamy questionable things) so they are less likely to spoil at a picnic.

    Many of these salads can be made in advance allowing you extra time to fire up the grill and entertain your guests. Elegant fruit cocktails are always a crowd pleaser at a potluck and add a splash of color to your dining table. Let’s explore what fruit salad options might be best for your menu plan.

    Grow Together – Stay Together

    Did you know that things that grow together are delicious in a recipe together? It’s nature’s delicious and easy way of helping us with menu planning. That’s convenient, right?

    If you walked through a farmer’s market right now, you’d find items that have been grown locally. These items may differ from state to state or country to country, but the concept remains the same.

    What grows together – stays together!

    Here is a very simple example… In mid-August, you might be able to find freshest tomatoes and basil in the Midwest.  Caprese Salad on a Stick is extra delicious because the ingredients are in peak season and pair wonderfully together.

    The Basics!

    • There are no set rules for what can or can’t go in a fruit salad. However, paying attention to what grows together – stays together is an easy way to decide what to include.
    • Choose the base for your healthy summer salad (leafy greens, grains, main fruits, or other vegetables).
    • Add in your favorite seasonal fruits
    • Select fresh herbs and spices
    • Drizzle with your favorite light and bright sweet fruit salad dressing
    • Try adding in fun textures like nuts, seeds, crispy tortillas, etc.
    • Add in grilled protein of choice like grilled chicken, Marinated Grilled Flank Steaks, Grilled Halloumi Cheese, etc.
    • Refrigerate until ready to serve.

    How to make a Fruit Salad Taste Better?

    1. For a healthy fruit salad recipe, try these seasonal fruit, vegetable, spice, and herb combinations for a pop of flavor.
    Fruit Flavor Chart infographic showing the best herbs, spices and flavors to pair with fruit.

    If you wish to use this handy Fruit Salad Pairing Chart on your website, just copy and paste the HTML code below. Please give credit to Healthy World Cuisine and link to our website. Thanks!

    Share this Image On Your Site

    • Drizzle on a zippy dressing or vinaigrette with orange, lemon, or other citrus fruits. The sweet and sour balance is key.
    • Add some texture like toasted nuts, seeds, crunch tortilla strips and crispy lettuces.

    Why does Fruit Turn Brown?

    Excuse us while we get a little food science nerdy for a moment…

    Do you remember this from science class?  All fruits have enzymes that are release when they are cut and exposed to air.  These enzymes start to break down the fruit.  This process is known as oxidation or enzymatic browning.

    Polyphenol Oxidase (enzyme) +O2 (oxygen) = Melanin (brown color /pigment)

    I bet you wondering if it is safe to eat that apple you just cut up because it is starting to brown? Right?  Of course, you can but it is not very aesthetically pleasing. Is it?

    How do you keep fruit from browning in a salad?

    Try these easy hacks!

    1. Chopped apples and pears will last longer if you place them in “salted water” overnight. This is a cheap method we learned whilst living in Japan making bento boxes. Just drain and rinse the apples or pears before putting them in a salad or a packed lunch box.
    2. Toss your fruit in a citrus juice like lemon, lime, orange, grapefruit, or pomelo. The acid in citrus juice inactivates the enzyme, polyphenol oxidase, when it is exposed to air.
    3. Along those same lines, tossing cut fruit with acidic fruits like oranges, grapefruits or pineapples can also help prevent browning.
    4. Soak your fruit like apples and pear in a bath of 2 tablespoons of honey and 1 cup of water for just a minute or two before adding it to your summer salads.

    What to Serve With?

    Are you looking for some healthy dinner meal plan ideas? These healthy summer salads with fruits can be served as a main or as a side dish. Try these ideas!

    Pork is always more delicious with something a little sweet on the side. Don’t you think? Thai Pork Basil Skewers are delicious with our zesty Prik Nam Pla Dipping sauce and a side of our Thai Shrimp Mango Salad.

    Chicken gets a whole new flavorful profile with our Peking Style Beer Butt Chicken and Layered high Sesame Asian Salad.

    Fish that tastes like steak always gets a thumbs up with our family. Grilled Swordfish with Crab Salsa is delicious with a fresh garden salad with a Lemon White Balsamic Vinaigrette.

    Beef - Grilled Flank Steak with Thai Style Chimichurri complements the naturally sweet, tangy, sour and spicy Grilled Watermelon Salad.

    Vegan options include a Super Easy Grilled Asian Eggplant with a hearty Easy Summer Millet Salad because tomatoes are a fruit too.

    Try these Recipes

    Grilled Watermelon Salad (Thai Style)
    Have you ever grilled a watermelon? If not, you have no idea on what you are missing out on. This Grilled Watermelon Salad needs Just a quick moment on the grill to make the natural sweetness come to life.  When paired with fresh cucumbers and a sweet, spicy, savory Thai dressing it is one delicious healthy bite.
    Get this recipe
    Plate of deliciously grilled watermelon and cucumbers tossed in a Thai dressing on a white plate with a red and white polka dot napkin.
    Quinoa Fruit Salad
    Our quinoa fruit salad is fun summer fruit and grain salad. It’s packed with protein and has a delicious honey lime dressing. Whether you are looking for a side for breakfast, brunch or dinner, this salad is sure to please.
    Get this recipe
    Quinoa fruit salad in a wooden bowl garnished in mint with a wooden spoon.
    Summer Salad with Strawberry Rose Dressing
    Summer Rose Salad is light, bright, and filled with all our favorite summer fruits. Toss it with a little strawberry rose dressing for an aromatic and dreamy bite of heaven.
    Get this recipe
    Summer Salad with Strawberry Rose Dressing / https://www.hwcmagazine.com
    Tutti Fruitti Kale Salad & Citrus Honey Dressing
    How adorable are these Tutti Fruitti Kale Salad served with a Citrus Honey Dressing in pineapple halves? This pineapple fruit salad makes the perfect tablescape and you are going to love the zippy citrus dressing.
    Get this recipe
    Tutti Fruitti Kale Salad and Citrus Honey Dressing in a ½ pineapple with wooden spoons and fruit around on a wooden board.
    Spicy Shrimp Salad with Cilantro Lime Dressing
    Thai Shrimp Mango Salad is also referred to in Thai language as Yam Mamuang Goong Sod. Made with green mangoes, shrimp, herbs, and an aromatic dressing.  You can serve it upas a light main dish in a bowl or as fun lettuce wraps or as a side to any of our Thai Cuisine Recipes.
    Dried Cranberry Glazed Pecan Holiday Salad
    OMG! Glazed Pecans… Have you ever tried them? Top your Dried Cranberry Glazed Pecan Holiday Salad with a few and watch this green salad with fruits disappear like magic.
    Get this recipe
    Grilled Shrimp Nectarine Summer Salad
    Our Grilled Shrimp Nectarine Summer Salad is a complete meal. Serve with a few slices of our Whole Wheat Herb Focaccia Bread and watch it disappear.
    Get this recipe
    Thai Pomelo Crab Salad Avocados
    Thai Pomelo Crab Salad Avocados are the cutest idea to serve at a shower or brunch. You can make this citrus salad in advance and is just as delicious substituted with grapefruits and oranges. Scoop on top of avocado halves right before serving.
    Get this recipe

    Tomato = Vegetable or Fruit?

    You are correct! Tomatoes are both a fruit and vegetable. I know, confusing, right?

    From the botanical classification, tomatoes are fruits because it has seeds that grows from the ovary of a flowering plant.

    On the other hand, from the culinary classification tomatoes are vegetables because of their flavor profile and the edible part of the plant is usually eaten as part of a meal.

    Give these chopped fruit salads with tomatoes a try at your next barbeque.

    Gluten-Free Balsamic Panzanella Salad
    Bursting with sweet vine ripened tomatoes, this Gluten Free Balsamic Panzanella Salad with garden spinach a great addition to a summer meal.
    Get this recipe
    Caprese Salad on a Stick
    Basil and Tomatoes grow together and pair well together in Caprese Salad on a Stick. Salad is always more fun served on a skewer.
    Get this recipe
    Caprese Salad on a stick drizzled with balsamic glaze.
    Heirloom Tomato Cucumber Salad
    Garden veggies are the freshest served as a simple Heirloom Tomato Cucumber Salad. Quick, easy and all the vegetables are in season at the same time.
    Get this recipe
    Heirloom Tomato Cucumber Salad / https://www.hwcmagazine.com
    Easy Summer Millet Salad
    Say yes to gluten free ancient grains! This Easy Summer Millet Salad is sweet from the heirloom tomatoes and savory from the MiddleEastern lemon parsley za’atar dressing. Give it a try today.
    Get this recipe

    Dressings and Vinaigrettes

    What’s a salad without a fruity salad dressing? Right? It’s Just a boring fruit cocktail or cut up fruit. Make your summer salads with fruits come alive with these bright and zippy dressings.

    Framboise Osmanthus Rose Vinaigrette
    Green salads with fruit are enhanced with our Framboise Osmanthus Rose Vinaigrette. In season raspberries are steeped with a honey flower tea vinegar. The result is a delicious floral but sweet way to enjoy your healthy salads.
    Get this recipe
    Lemon White Balsamic Vinaigrette
    Our lemon white balsamic vinaigrette is a multi-purpose salad dressing.  Delicious on both savory and sweet fruit salads or as a marinade.
    Get this recipe
    Pouring lemon white balsamic vinaigrette over a tossed garden salad.

    Frequent Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

    How to prevent a fruit salad from getting soggy?

    The best way to keep a fruit salad crisp is to keep it stored in the refrigerator in a sealed container with a lid. Choose whole fruits like blueberries and grapes. Pineapple also lasts a long time in the refrigerator without getting soggy. Melons, like watermelon, cantaloupe, and honeydew, tend to get soggy quicker than other fruits. Bananas should only be cut right before serving summer salads with fruit.

    How long will fruit salad last in the refrigerator?

    Fruit salads are best enjoyed in the first 24 hours prepared. However, if stored properly, they can last 3 to 5 days.

    More Delicious Salads

    • Soba Noodle Salad with Yuzu Dressing with soft boiled eggs, radishes, peas and everything spring.
      Soba Noodle Salad with Yuzu Dressing
    • Sesame Burdock Root Salad / https://www.hwcmagazine.com
      Sesame Burdock Root Salad
    • Best Vegan Warm Swiss Chard Lentil Salad / https://www.hwcmagazine.com
      Best Vegan Warm Swiss Chard Lentil Salad
    • Vietnamese Shrimp Vermicelli Salad / https://www.hwcmagazine.com
      Vietnamese Shrimp Vermicelli Salad

    Did You Like Our Recipe? Leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating and/or a review in the comments section below. Your feedback is always appreciated! Follow us for more delicious recipes on Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter and Facebook! Don't forget to sign up for our email list for more free recipes.

    More Salads

    • Plate of deliciously grilled watermelon and cucumbers tossed in a Thai dressing on a white plate with a red and white polka dot napkin.
      Grilled Watermelon Salad (Thai Style + Video)
    • Healthy chicken lettuce wrap topped with fresh vegetables, herbs, roasted peanuts of a wooden plate with prik nam pla sauce next to it.
      Healthy Chicken Lettuce Wraps - Thai Style
    • Quinoa Harvest Salad in a black bowl with apples and butternut squash in the background.
      Quinoa Harvest Salad
    • Two wooden bowls filled with autumn kale salad on a wooden board.
      Autumn Kale Salad

    About HWC Magazine

    Join our Healthy World Cuisine medical editors (trained in both Western and Eastern Medicine) and learn how to EAT your way around the WORLD from the comfort of your own kitchen. Grab free health tips, recipe ideas, meal plans and gain a better understand how eating choices can affect your health. Be the healthier and happier YOU!

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    1. Judee says

      June 14, 2022 at 12:16 pm

      Wow. so many wonderful looking salads and dressings. I'll have to go back and check them all out. Right now I'm intrigued with the quinoa and fruit salad and the strawberry rose dressing... Can't wait to try them. Visiting from Gluten Free A-Z blog.

      Reply
      • HWC Magazine says

        June 20, 2022 at 2:42 am

        Thank you Judee! Enjoy the summer fruits while they are in season- as the season seems so short. Our quinoa fruit salad is always a hit as a dish to pass, brunches, barbeques and picnics. Just saw your delicious mango mint dressing- that sounds fabulous.

        Reply
    2. Liz says

      June 13, 2022 at 12:34 pm

      I remember my mom putting fruit in lettuce salads and thinking it was so weird!! Now I can't think of anything better. Thanks for all the terrific inspiration!!!

      Reply
      • HWC Magazine says

        June 20, 2022 at 2:50 am

        Oh no, we are turning into our moms... LOL. Actually that is good thing as Mom meals are always the best. Take Care

        Reply
    3. Heidi | The Frugal Girls says

      June 06, 2022 at 4:57 pm

      What a fantastic list!! I love the idea to add fresh seasonal fruits to salad in the Summer! Your Grilled Shrimp Nectarine Summer Salad really has me drooling over here... it looks absolutely delicious!

      Reply
      • HWC Magazine says

        June 07, 2022 at 1:54 pm

        Thank you Heidi. We are so ready for the warmer summer weather and eating a bit lighter. Our grilled shrimp nectarine summer salad is always a hit with out family. Hope you give it a try soon

        Reply
    4. Liz says

      June 06, 2022 at 11:27 am

      When my sisters and I were growing up, we'd think it was extremely odd when my mom would put fruit in green salads!! My, how my taste buds have matured! I love all these yummy salads.

      Reply
      • HWC Magazine says

        June 07, 2022 at 2:01 pm

        Thanks Liz. So glad both of our taste buds have matured because it has opened up a whole new delicious part of the culinary world that we did not even know existed. However, there is one childhood culinary woe that remains - cannot and will not touch a Brussel sprouts.(smiling)

        Reply
    5. Hannah says

      June 05, 2022 at 10:37 pm

      Fresh produce is the best part of summer! Love all this delicious inspiration for healthy, refreshing combinations to enjoy the season to the fullest.

      Reply
      • HWC Magazine says

        June 07, 2022 at 2:06 pm

        It is the best part Hannah! We feel like a kid in a candy store at a Farmer's market with all the fresh seasonal produce. things that grow together really go together in a summer salad. Take Care

        Reply
    6. John / Kitchen Riffs says

      June 04, 2022 at 3:55 am

      Loving all these salads! And that flavor chart is terrific, and SO handy. Thanks!

      Reply
      • HWC Magazine says

        June 05, 2022 at 4:33 pm

        Thanks so much John. Feel free to grab that html code below the fruit salad pairing chart if you want to share and use the chart on your website with affiliation of course. Take Care

        Reply
    7. Mira says

      April 18, 2015 at 12:25 am

      Lovely salads Bobbi! So many to choose from! Thanks for including mine 🙂

      Reply
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