Our refreshing Watermelon Fruit Salad combines crisp watermelon cubes mingled with sweet berries, cherries, and a citrus mint dressing, for a sweet and tangy salad sensation.
Why You'll Love This Watermelon Fruit Recipe
This watermelon fruit salad is both sweet and tart, and it's perfect for a light lunch or dessert. It's super easy to make with summer fruits, but you can still adapt it to what is in season year round.
- Simple to Make: Fresh watermelon is in such abundance in the summer, and is so refreshing.
- Flexible Ingredients: No cherries? No problem, substitute blueberries, pineapple, or whatever your family loves and is in season.
- Texture Boost: Introduce some crunch with a sprinkle of toasted slivered almonds, chopped pistachios, or a handful of pomegranate seeds for added pop.
Ingredients Overview
Use a variety of red summer fruits for the pretties effect, however, kiwi slices add a beautiful pop of bright, tangy green. The citrus dressing uses limes, but you could use lemon or orange just as easily.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How To Make Watermelon Fruit Salad
This watermelon and fruit salad is a delicious and refreshing way to cool off on a hot day. Simply cut up a fresh watermelon, add some of your favorite red berries, and stir up the vinaigrette dressing.
Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk together the lime zest, lime juice, honey, and chopped mint. Chill in the refrigerator until ready to use.
Step 2: Place the cubed watermelon, halved strawberries, raspberries, and pitted cherries all in a large bowl.
Step 3: Drizzle the chilled lime mint dressing over the top of the bowl of watermelon fruit salad.
Step 4: Gently toss the watermelon fruit salad with the lime and mint salad dressing.
Step 5: Garnish with some extra chopped mint and chill until ready to serve.
This fruit salad is a popular when watermelon is in such abundance and inexpensive. It's perfect alongside a Double Smoked Ham, Rotel Mac n Cheese, and other picnic fare at barbecues, and other outdoor gatherings.
Substitutions and Variations
Here are a few delicious variations or substitutions when making this recipe.
- Fruit Additions: Add slices of kiwi or starfruit for extra color and flavor.
- Herb Alternatives: Fresh snipped basil or tarragon are great additions to the salad.
- Dressing Variations: Create different dressings using pomegranate juice, balsamic vinegar, or lemon juice.
Tips for Success
Here are a few tips for making this recipe:
- Fresh & Ripe Fruit: Always use fresh, ripe fruit for the sweetest and juiciest results.
- Uniform Pieces: Cut all the fruit into bite-sized pieces for easier eating and a better blend of flavors.
- Light Dressing: Use a light citrus dressing that complements, rather than overpowers, the natural sweetness of the fruit.
- Chill Thoroughly: Chill the salad well before serving; it makes it even more refreshing.
Storage Options
Some recommended storage options for this recipe are:
- Refrigeration: Store the salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. The fruit will release more juice over time, so you might want to drain some before serving if it gets too watery.
- Best Served Fresh: While it can be refrigerated, this salad is truly best enjoyed on the day it's made for optimal freshness, texture, and flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Watermelon does not freeze well, but you can add frozen cherries and berries to complete this fresh salad.
Yes, you can add other ingredients to watermelon salad. Some popular choices include nuts, shredded coconut, and marshmallows.
Yes, you can add feta cheese to watermelon salad. Feta cheese will add a salty and tangy flavor to the salad. If you do choose to add feta cheese, be sure to use crumbled feta cheese.
Yes, you can add balsamic vinegar to watermelon salad dressing. Balsamic vinegar will add a sweet and sour flavor to the salad. If you do choose to add balsamic vinegar, be sure to use a white balsamic vinegar variety.
Related Recipes
- Cherry Fluff Salad
- Summer Berry Salad
- Tropical Fruit Salad
- Raspberry Pancakes
Summer Recipes
Get The Recipe!
Watermelon Fruit Salad
Equipment
- Strawberry Hulling Tool
- Large Salad Bowl with Cover
Ingredients
For the Watermelon Salad
- 4 cup watermelon cubed into 1" pieces
- 1½ cup strawberries washed, hulled, and halved
- 1½ cup raspberries
- 1½ cup cherries pitted, fresh or frozen
For the Lime Mint Salad Dressing
- 1½ teaspoon lime zest
- 2 tablespoon lime juice
- 2 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon mint leaves fresh, chopped
- mint leaves for garnish
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together the lime zest, lime juice, honey, and chopped mint. Chill in the refrigerator until ready to use.1½ teaspoon lime zest, 2 tablespoon lime juice, 2 tablespoon honey, 1 tablespoon mint leaves
- Place the cubed watermelon, halved strawberries, raspberries, and pitted cherries all in a large bowl.4 cup watermelon, 1½ cup strawberries, 1½ cup cherries, 1½ cup raspberries
- Drizzle the chilled lime mint dressing over the top of the bowl of watermelon fruit salad.
- Gently toss the watermelon fruit salad with the lime and mint salad dressing.
- Garnish with some extra chopped mint and chill until ready to serve.mint leaves
Notes
- Fresh & Ripe Fruit: Always use fresh, ripe fruit for the sweetest and juiciest results.
- Uniform Pieces: Cut all the fruit into bite-sized pieces for easier eating and a better blend of flavors.
- Light Dressing: Use a light citrus dressing that complements, rather than overpowers, the natural sweetness of the fruit.
- Chill Thoroughly: Chill the salad well before serving; it makes it even more refreshing.
Leave a Reply