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This fruit salad is one of those recipes I come back to again and again, especially when the fruit at the market looks too good to pass up. Strawberries, pineapple, mango, blueberries, and kiwi get tossed in a bright passion fruit citrus dressing that makes everything taste even more vibrant and fresh.
The dressing is what really sets this apart: passion fruit pulp, citrus zest, lemon and lime juice, honey, and fresh thyme come together in minutes and coat every piece of fruit with a tangy, aromatic sweetness.
If you love fruity recipes, you might also enjoy this easy fruit punch or this refreshing watermelon feta salad.
Fruit salad ingredients
For the fruit salad:
- Strawberries: hulled and halved or quartered depending on size. They soak up the dressing beautifully.
- Fresh pineapple: chopped into bite-size pieces. Pre-cut pineapple works if you want to save time.
- Mango: ripe but firm so it holds its shape once tossed. Peaches or nectarines also work well.
- Blueberries: left whole for a nice burst of juicy sweetness in every bite.
- Kiwi: peeled and chopped. Kiwi berries work just as well if you can find them.
- Orange: cut into small wedges and used as a topping rather than mixed in.
- Passion fruit: halved or quartered for garnish. The seeds add a gorgeous crunch and pop of tropical flavor.
- Fresh mint leaves: scattered over the finished salad for brightness and color.
- Lime zest: a little extra grated over the top right before serving.
For the passion fruit citrus dressing:
- Passion fruit pulp and juice: scooped straight from fresh passion fruits, seeds and all.
- Orange zest: adds a fragrant citrus layer to the dressing.
- Lime zest and lime juice: for sharp, fresh acidity.
- Lemon juice: balances the sweetness of the fruit and honey.
- Honey: just enough to round out the tartness. Adjust to taste depending on how sweet your fruit is.
- Fresh thyme leaves: an unexpected herb that pairs beautifully with tropical fruit. You can also use mint or a combination of both.
- Red wine vinegar: a small splash adds a subtle depth. White wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar are good alternatives.
- Seasonings: a pinch of salt intensifies the natural sweetness of the fruit, and a pinch of black pepper adds a warm, subtle background note that works surprisingly well with strawberries, mango, and citrus.
See printable recipe card below for the full ingredients list and quantities.
How to make fruit salad
Start with the dressing. In a small bowl, combine the passion fruit pulp and juice, orange zest, lime zest, lemon juice, lime juice, honey, fresh thyme leaves, red wine vinegar, salt, and black pepper. Mix everything well and taste. If the fruit you are using is particularly tart, add a little more honey. If you want a brighter dressing, squeeze in a touch more citrus.
Wash and prepare all the fruit. Halve or quarter the strawberries depending on their size. Chop the pineapple, mango, and kiwi into similar bite-size pieces so everything mixes evenly. Leave the blueberries whole.
For a beautiful presentation, layer the fruit in a large serving bowl or platter. Start with the strawberries, then add the pineapple, mango, blueberries, and kiwi. You can arrange them however you like, but layering makes the salad look especially pretty.
Pour the passion fruit citrus dressing over the prepared fruit and gently toss everything together until all the fruit is lightly coated. Be gentle so the softer fruits do not get crushed.
Once the salad is mixed, arrange the small orange wedges over the top. Add the extra passion fruit pieces and scatter fresh mint leaves over everything. Finish with a little extra freshly grated lime zest. Serve immediately or chill before serving.
For the prettiest presentation, toss the main chopped fruits with the dressing first, then arrange the orange wedges, passion fruit, and mint on top as a finishing layer. This keeps the garnish looking fresh and vibrant.
Serving suggestions
This fruit salad is wonderful on its own as a refreshing side, but it pairs beautifully with so many things. I often enjoy it served over homemade cottage cheese, plain yogurt, or crunchy granola.
Also, try it alongside avocado toast for a colorful brunch spread, or serve it next to grilled salmon or grilled shrimp for a light summer meal. It also works as a fresh side with turkey burgers at a cookout. For drinks, a glass of refreshing mint lemonade is a perfect match.
Storage
- Fridge: up to 2 days in an airtight container. The salad is best while the fruit is still fresh and firm. Softer fruits will gradually release their juices as they sit.
- Make ahead: you can prepare the fruit ahead of time and refrigerate it, but keep the dressing separate and toss it with the fruit closer to serving for the best texture and presentation. Once dressed, the salad is best eaten within a day or two.
FAQs
A tiny pinch of salt intensifies the natural sweetness and flavor of the fruit. The black pepper adds a subtle warmth that pairs beautifully with strawberries, mango, citrus, and passion fruit. It should not taste peppery at all, just a gentle background note.
Absolutely. The fruit combination is completely flexible. Raspberries, blackberries, grapes, peaches, nectarines, melon, pomegranate, dragon fruit, and cherries all work well. Try to use a mix of different colors, textures, and levels of sweetness and acidity for the best result.
More fruity recipes to try
If you loved this fruit salad, here are a few more fresh and fruity recipes worth exploring.
If you try this fruit salad, I would love to hear how it turned out! Please leave a star rating and a comment below. Your feedback means so much and helps other readers find this recipe too.
Fresh Fruit Salad with Passion Fruit Citrus Dressing
Ingredients
Fruit Salad
- 1 1/2 cups strawberries hulled and halved or quartered
- 1 1/2 cups pineapple chopped into bite-size pieces
- 1 1/2 cups mango chopped into bite-size pieces
- 1 1/2 cups blueberries
- 1 1/2 cups kiwi peeled and chopped
- 1 orange large, cut into small wedges for topping
- 2 passion fruits halved or quartered, for garnish
- 1 small handful fresh mint leaves
- Extra lime zest for finishing
Passion Fruit Citrus Dressing
- 2 passion fruits pulp and juice
- zest of 1 large orange
- zest of 1 lime
- juice of 1 large lemon
- juice of 1 lime
- 1 tablespoon honey adjust to taste
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
- 1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 pinch black pepper
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine the pulp and juice from 2 passion fruits, orange zest, lime zest, lemon juice, lime juice, honey, fresh thyme leaves, red wine vinegar, salt, and black pepper. Mix well. Taste and adjust as needed. Add a little more honey if the fruit is particularly tart, or another squeeze of citrus if you want it brighter.
- Wash and prepare all the fruit. Halve or quarter the strawberries depending on their size. Chop the pineapple, mango, and kiwi into similar bite-size pieces. Leave the blueberries whole.
- Assemble the salad. For a beautiful presentation, layer the fruit in a large serving bowl or platter. Add the strawberries, pineapple, mango, blueberries, and kiwi. You do not have to layer in this exact order, but it makes the salad look especially pretty.
- Pour the passion fruit citrus dressing over the prepared fruit. Gently toss everything together until all the fruit is lightly coated. Be gentle so the softer fruits do not get crushed.
- Arrange the small orange wedges over the top. Add the extra passion fruit pieces and scatter fresh mint leaves over the salad. Finish with a little extra freshly grated lime zest. Serve immediately or chill before serving.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
