Tropical Fruit Salad with Honey Citrus Dressing Recipe

Our Tropical Fruit Salad is a rainbow of juicy, fresh fruits drizzled with a sweet, tangy dressing that pulls all the flavors together. This fruit salad is refreshing, light, and oh-so-tasty. 

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This easy fruit salad recipe is your perfect sweet and juicy companion for most summer meals. Tropical Fruit Salad will be making an appearance on your table again and again!

It’s the perfect summer side dish that’s also packed with vitamins and nutrients.

I love the bright honey lime dressing in this recipe. You get this sweet and tangy bite that blends with the fruit and is just so satisfying!

Even my picky toddler loves this stuff. She absolutely devours it. These days that’s a big win, haha!

The fruity, citrusy goodness is a huge hit on hot days. It’s the perfect sweet treat whether you’re hosting a summer barbecue, going to a picnic, or just need a quick and healthy dessert.

Not only will your taste buds dance, but your guests will be asking for the recipe too!

In this recipe, I’ve picked my own favorite fruits to throw in but more on the tropical side. When you make your own fresh Tropical Fruit Salad, feel free to pick the ones that make your mouth water the most!

Some of our other favorite salad recipes we have on our site include: Chicken Cobb Salad, Marinated Cold Green Bean Salad Recipe with Tomatoes, and Corn and Tomato Salad.

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Jump to:

• WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS:
• INGREDIENTS NEEDED (SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST FOR THE FULL RECIPE CARD):
• HOW TO MAKE TROPICAL FRUIT SALAD:
• FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS RECIPE:
• CAN THIS BE MADE AHEAD?
• CAN I USE ANOTHER CITRUS JUICE FOR THE DRESSING?
• WHAT OTHER FRUITS CAN I USE?
• ANY ADDITIONS?
• ANY SUBSTITUTIONS?
• HOW TO STORE:
• DANA’S TIPS AND TRICKS:
• Tropical Fruit Salad

1. This fresh fruit salad makes a lot to feed a crowd.
2. Great for a make-ahead appetizer or side dish that uses simple and easy-to-find ingredients.
3. It’s super easy to prepare, requiring very little effort and time.

• Cantaloupe
• Honeydew
• Watermelon
• Mandarin oranges in syrup
• Pineapple
• Mangoes
• Kiwi
• Blueberries
• Raspberries
• Honey
• Lime juice, freshly squeezed
• Zest of lime

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1. Place the cantaloupe, honeydew, watermelon, drained oranges, pineapple, mangoes, and kiwis in a big bowl.
2. Whisk together the honey, orange syrup, lime juice, and zest in a small bowl.
3. Pour the dressing over the fruit and toss to combine.
4. If you are going to make this ahead of time, cover it with plastic wrap and place it in the fridge until ready to serve.
5. Because of the fruit, this dish has a high water content. For best results, stir it well and then add the blueberries and raspberries. Carefully toss not to break up the berries, and serve immediately.

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CAN THIS BE MADE AHEAD?

Absolutely! One of the great things about this homemade fruit salad is that it can be made ahead of time.

You can chop and mix all the fruits (except for the berries) up to a day in advance.

Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Then, just before serving, stir it well, toss in the combination of fresh berries, and pour the zesty dressing over the top.

Voila! Your vibrant and delicious fruit salad is ready to enjoy.

CAN I USE ANOTHER CITRUS JUICE FOR THE DRESSING?

You bet! The simple dressing for this salad is super friendly.

While the recipe calls for fresh lime juice and mandarin orange juice, you can certainly swap it out for another citrus juice if you prefer.

Lemon juice would work well, adding a zesty, fresh flavor.

Even naval orange juice could be used for a sweeter, softer citrus note. Feel free to play around and find your favorite!

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WHAT OTHER FRUITS CAN I USE?

While I’ve chosen a mix of a tropical combination of fruit, you can use your favorite fresh fruit.

Fresh strawberries, red grapes, and citrus fruits like naval orange segments could all be great additions.

Seasonal fruit is always a good choice, too.

The important thing is that your rainbow of fruits is ripe and flavorful for the best fruit salad.

ANY ADDITIONS?

Take this recipe and make it your own, here are some fun additions to try:

• Topped with a dollop of Greek yogurt or whipped cream for added creaminess – cool whip works too!
• Sprinkled with granola or nuts for some crunch
• Mixed with a handful of mint leaves for freshness
• Drizzled with a touch of maple syrup for extra sweetness and a yummy twist
• Dusted with a bit of cinnamon or nutmeg for a warm note
• An added scoop of vanilla ice cream for a decadent touch – strawberry ice would be amazing too.
• Sprinkled with shredded coconut for even more of a tropical feel, both toasted or sweetened coconut flakes will work
• Added mini marshmallows for a sweet surprise
• Sprinkle with some chia or poppy seeds for a nutritional boost

ANY SUBSTITUTIONS?

Absolutely, in general fruit salad is extremely versatile, try some of these substitutions to switch it up:

• Replace honey with maple syrup or agave nectar for a vegan option.
• Use lemon juice or grapefruit juice instead of lime juice for a different citrus flavor.
• Substitute canned mandarin oranges with fresh oranges or orange segments
• Use a sugar-free syrup instead of mandarin orange syrup for a less sweet version.
• Replace the lime zest with lemon zest for a brighter note
• You can also use any seasonal fruit instead of the listed tropical fruits

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Cover leftover fruit salad with plastic wrap or another airtight container and keep it in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Before serving, give it a good stir since the sweet dressing settles at the bottom. Best served and eaten cold.

I wouldn’t recommend freezing the salad as it can make the fruits mushy and watery.

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Ready for that perfect summer fruit salad? Why don’t you make your favorite summer side with a little twist and try this Tropical Fruit Salad at your next get together.

If you’ve tried this TROPICAL FRUIT SALAD, let me know how it turned out in the comments! You can follow me over on PINTEREST, INSTAGRAM OR FACEBOOK to find some more of our mouthwatering recipes!