Winter Fruit Salad loaded with fresh seasonal fruits and drizzled with a light honey-poppy seed dressing. Bright, crisp and festive – just right for your holiday table.
If you live in the Midwest where I do or anywhere else the sun isn’t shining brightly on many days, you just may need this salad in your life. Like . . . don’t even wait for the holidays need. Bright, festive, incredibly delicious – the perfect side to almost anything.
The fruits you see are in all the grocery stores right now and when they come together with a simple honey-poppy seed dresing, it’s practically a tropical vacation in a bowl.
Winter Fruit Salad may just be the easiest of recipes on the blog yet. Simple but elegant and so tasty it’ll convert even those who swear they don’t like salad.
Slice the fruit, whisk the dressing, blend and voila! Gorgeous, show-stopping salad.
what to put in a winter fruit salad:
The exact number of clementine (mandarin) oranges or kiwi you use will depend upon their size and your taste. This recipe is a guideline. Make the salad by adding or subtracting ingredients so it’s exactly how you like it best.
The fruit salad:
- clementine or mandarin oranges
- pomegranate seeds (arils)
- kiwi
- fresh pineapple
- fresh mint leaves
The dressing:
- honey
- lime juice and zest
- lemon juice and zest
- poppy seeds
- salt
how to make winter fruit salad:
NOTE: You can buy a whole pomegranate and de-seed it yourself or buy a container of ready-to-eat. They’re just as fresh and delicious – either works well.
To make the dressing cut the lemon and lime into four quarters (you’ll only be using ONE QUARTER of each – juice and zest).
Add the honey, lime juice and zest, lemon juice and zest, poppy seeds and a small pinch of salt (just a small pinch to balance the flavors) to a jar with a lid or a small bowl. Shake or whisk until the dressing is combined then set it aside.
TIP: If your honey is is too cold and won’t blend, pop the dressing into the microwave for 5-10 seconds to loosen it up.
To make the Winter Fruit Salad assemble and prep the fruit by peeling, chopping and cubing then add everything to a large bowl.
Spoon as much of the dressing over the top as you like then gently toss to coat the fruit. Top with the mint leaves then serve.
how long does winter fruit salad last?
Winter Fruit Salad will stay fresh refrigerated in an airtight container up to 3 days but probably won’t last that long before it’s eaten. It’s that good!
ingredient options:
The salad is delicious as it is but if you’re looking for optional ingredients, here are a few I recommend:
- Pears
- Apples
- Blueberries
- Pecans
- Figs
- Bananas (add just before serving)
- Grapes
Other info:
This simple salad goes with pretty much anything, starting with my favorite Breakfast Casserole and whatever is on your holiday menu.
You can make this salad ahead of time but the juice from the pomegranate may tint the pineapple distorting the color (it will still taste delicious!).
Leftover fruit? Add pineapple or kiwi to this healthy Green Smoothie that’s loaded with protein and nutrition.
Leftover pomegranate is just what you need for this Caramel Apple Pomegranate Mimosa!
Enjoy!
If you tried this Winter Fruit Salad recipe or any other on the blog then I hope you’ll leave a comment and a bunch of stars!
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Winter Fruit Salad
Ingredients
The Salad:
- 3-4 whole clementine oranges or mandarin peeled and segmented
- 3/4 cup pomegranate seeds
- 3-4 whole kiwi peeled and diced
- 2 cups fresh pineapple diced
- 6-8 whole small mint leaves
The Dressing:
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 1/4 lime juice and zest
- 1/4 lemon juice and zest
- 2 teaspoons poppy seeds
- small pinch salt
Instructions
Dressing:
- NOTE: you'll only use 1/4 each of the lime and lemon (cut each into 4 quarters). Add the honey, lime juice and zest, lemon juice and zest, poppy seeds and a small pinch of salt to a jar with a lid or bowl. Shake or whisk until the dressing is combined then set it aside.
Salad:
- Assemble and prep the fruit by peeling, chopping and cubing then add everything to a large bowl.
- Spoon as much of the dressing over the top as you like then gently toss to coat the fruit. Garnish with mint leaves then serve.
Beautiful presentation of good tasting fruit with Christmas colors. Perfect for any table during this wonderful time of year. Almost too pretty to eat.
Thank you Remo! Yes – almost too pretty 🙂 – but so good it’s irresistible!