Bright & Zesty Winter Fruit Salad Recipe to Spark Joy

Chilled winter produce sparkles with unexpected winter fruit salad magic that brings fresh energy to cold days.

Seasonal citrus, crisp apples, and juicy pomegranate seeds dance together in a light, refreshing blend.

Vibrant colors pop against white serving dishes, creating an eye-catching presentation.

Each bite delivers a burst of natural sweetness balanced with delicate tartness.

Delightful textures contrast from soft to crisp, making every spoonful an adventure.

Whole ingredients shine through this simple yet elegant recipe.

Serve this colorful creation and watch faces light up with pure delight.

Ingredients That Bring Winter Fruit Salad to Life

• Oranges: Adds bright, juicy sweetness and provides a vitamin C boost for a zesty base.
• Tangerines: Offers a softer, sweeter citrus flavor that complements other winter fruits.
• Apples: Brings crisp texture and subtle sweetness, balancing the salad's overall profile.
• Pears: Contributes a delicate, soft sweetness and smooth mouthfeel to the mix.
• Kiwi: Introduces a vibrant green color and tangy, slightly tart flavor with a unique texture.
• Fresh Cranberries: Delivers a tart punch and festive winter color to the salad.
• Pomegranate Seeds: Provides jewel-like bursts of sweet-tart flavor and elegant visual appeal.

• Honey: Creates a natural, smooth sweetener that binds flavors together.
• Lime Juice: Adds bright acidity and helps prevent fruit browning.
• Orange Juice: Enhances citrusy undertones and adds additional natural sweetness.
• Cinnamon: Introduces warm, aromatic depth perfect for winter flavor profile.

• Fresh Mint Leaves: Adds a cooling, refreshing final touch with bright green visual contrast.

Tools for Slicing, Segmenting, and Tossing This Salad

• Cutting board: Essential for chopping and prepping all fruits safely.
• Sharp knife: Needed to peel, segment, and dice various fruits with precision.
• Large mixing bowl: Perfect for combining and tossing all the prepared fruits together.
• Small bowl: Used for whisking the dressing ingredients smoothly.
• Whisk: Key tool for blending honey, juices, and cinnamon into a cohesive dressing.
• Measuring spoons and cups: Help ensure accurate ingredient proportions.

How to Build a Beautiful Winter Fruit Salad

• Slice and Segment Fruits

Peel oranges and tangerines, breaking them into natural segments. Chop apples and pears into bite-sized cubes. Carefully extract pomegranate seeds and slice kiwi into thin rounds. Roughly chop cranberries for easier eating.

• Create Zesty Dressing

Whisk honey, lime juice, orange juice, and a pinch of cinnamon in a small bowl. Mix until the liquid becomes smooth and slightly glossy. Taste and adjust sweetness or tartness as desired.

• Combine and Coat

Gently tumble all prepared fruits into a large mixing bowl. Pour the dressing over the fruit medley, using a soft folding motion to ensure every piece gets a light, even coating.

• Finish and Serve

Sprinkle fresh mint leaves on top for a bright pop of color and added freshness. Serve immediately or chill briefly for a cool, crisp winter treat. For best flavor, enjoy within an hour of preparation.

Swaps and Tips to Keep It Seasonal and Bright

• Fruit Freshness Hack: Prep fruits just before serving to maintain crisp textures and prevent browning, especially for apples and pears which oxidize quickly.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare fruit and dressing separately, storing them in sealed containers in the refrigerator, and combine just before serving to preserve optimal taste and texture.
• Dietary Flexibility: Swap honey with maple syrup for a vegan option, or use sugar-free sweetener for diabetic-friendly version. Replace citrus fruits with seasonal alternatives based on availability.
• Flavor Boosting Trick: Toast chopped nuts like almonds or pecans and sprinkle on top for added crunch and nutty depth, enhancing the salad's overall taste profile and nutritional value.
• Winter Wellness Boost: Add chia seeds or hemp hearts for extra protein and omega-3 nutrients, transforming this simple fruit salad into a more nutritionally dense winter wellness dish.

Serve Chilled With Honey or Citrus Dressing

• Festive Brunch Centerpiece: Arrange the fruit salad in a beautiful glass bowl as a stunning centerpiece for a winter morning brunch, complementing other breakfast dishes perfectly.
• Dessert Companion: Pair this vibrant salad with vanilla yogurt, whipped cream, or a scoop of light sorbet for an elegant and refreshing dessert option that feels indulgent yet healthy.
• Elegant Party Appetizer: Serve in small cocktail glasses or decorative spoons as a sophisticated starter at holiday gatherings, offering guests a bright and zesty flavor experience that cleanses the palate.
• Protein Power Boost: Sprinkle chopped nuts like almonds or pistachios on top, or add a handful of Greek yogurt to transform the salad into a more substantial and nutritionally balanced dish that keeps you satisfied.

Store Fruit Salad Without Getting Mushy

• Quick Chilling Strategy: Refrigerate the salad for 10-15 minutes before serving to enhance the flavor and create a refreshing texture that keeps fruits crisp and cool.
• Smart Storage Solution: Store any leftover fruit salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, ensuring the fruits remain fresh and the dressing doesn't separate.
• Advance Prep Trick: Wash and chop fruits separately the night before, keeping them in sealed containers to save time during meal preparation and maintain maximum freshness.
• Freezing Option: While best enjoyed fresh, you can freeze individual fruit portions in zip-lock bags for future smoothies or quick dessert additions, maintaining nutritional value and taste.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 0 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Calories: 112 kcal

Servings: 7

Vibrant Winter Fruit Salad Recipe

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4.8 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Delightful winter fruit salad blends seasonal citrus and pomegranate seeds with a honey-mint dressing. Crisp and refreshing flavors combine to create a light, elegant dessert that satisfies your craving for bright, healthy winter produce.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cups (473 ml/16 oz) pomegranate arils (seeds)
• 2 oranges, peeled and segmented
• 2 kiwis, peeled and sliced
• 1 cup (237 ml/8 oz) red grapes, halved
• 1 apple, diced
• 1 pear, diced
• ½ cup (118 ml/4 oz) dried cranberries
• 2 tbsps (30 ml/1 fl oz) honey (or maple syrup for vegan)
• 1 tbsp (15 ml/0.5 fl oz) fresh orange juice
• 1 tbsp (15 ml/0.5 fl oz) fresh lemon juice
• ¼ tsp ground cinnamon

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Instructions

1. Fruit Preparation: Peel oranges and tangerines into segments, cube apples and pears into consistent shapes, slice kiwi into thin rounds, extract pomegranate seeds, and finely chop cranberries to ensure even texture and distribution throughout the salad.
2. Fruit Composition: Gently combine all prepared fruits in a large mixing bowl, using delicate folding techniques to prevent bruising and maintain the integrity of each fruit piece while creating a visually appealing mixture.
3. Dressing Creation: Whisk honey, lime juice, orange juice, and ground cinnamon in a separate bowl, carefully balancing the flavor profile to complement the fruit medley’s natural sweetness and tartness.
4. Final Assembly: Drizzle the prepared dressing over the fruit mixture moments before serving, ensuring a light, even coating that enhances without overwhelming the fresh ingredients.
5. Garnish and Serving: Sprinkle freshly chopped mint leaves across the salad for an aromatic finish, then chill briefly or serve immediately to preserve the crisp, vibrant flavors and textural contrast of the winter fruit medley.

Notes

• Prevent Fruit Browning: Toss apple and pear pieces with lemon juice to prevent oxidation and maintain fresh, vibrant color.
• Balance Texture Carefully: Cut fruits into consistent sizes for uniform texture and ensure no single piece overwhelms the salad’s delicate composition.
• Customize Sweetness Levels: Adjust honey quantity based on fruit ripeness and personal preference, tasting dressing before final mixing.
• Enhance Nutritional Profile: Optional protein boost by sprinkling toasted almonds or chia seeds for added crunch and nutritional value.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 112
• Sugar: 19 g
• Sodium: 1 mg
• Fat: 0.3 g
• Saturated Fat: 0.1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0.2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 29 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg