Easy & Delicious Thanksgiving Fruit Salad Recipe
Leaves are falling, it's getting chilly, and the holiday season is already here! As you start to plan your Thanksgiving dinner, I've got the perfect fresh fruit salad recipe to add to your menu. Packed with a mix of seasonal fruits and a delightful honey-pumpkin pie spice dressing, this fruit salad is a healthy addition to your holiday table.
Whether you serve this holiday fruit salad as a dessert option or as a palate cleanser after a hearty meal, it is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Plus, with just 15 minutes of preparation time, it's a quick and easy side dish that will leave you with more time to enjoy Thanksgiving day.
Love healthy and delicious desserts? Check out my sweet and juicy Air Fried Peaches recipe to add to your holiday menu.
Easy & Delicious Thanksgiving Fruit Salad Recipe
Thanksgiving Fruit Salad Ingredients
1 cup red grapes, halved
2 apples, diced
2 oranges, peeled and segmented
2 pears, diced
1/4 cup chopped walnuts (optional, for added crunch)
2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
1 teaspoon orange zest
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
Fresh mint leaves for garnish
Why I Like a Fruit Salad on a Holiday Table
It’s light and refreshing after a heavier holiday meal. Alternatively, you can serve this as a welcome appetizer-like dish to cleanse the palate and leave room for the delicious food.
Balanced. Oftentimes, thanksgiving meals can be heavier on the simple carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. So, serving a salad may be a wonderful way to get some fiber, antioxidants, and vitamins!
Colorful. The colorful fruit is perfect as a centerpiece.
Allergen-friendly. Many people have food allergies or dietary preferences, so this is a perfect way to ensure there is a dessert option for everyone!
Easy preparation. It doesn’t require any cooking time or oven space. Just make it the day before and serve it to your guests the next day!
Great for kids. Kids often love fruit salads because of the vibrant color and sweetness!
Want more healthy Thanksgiving dessert recipes? Try out my Pumpkin Cream Cheese Dip Dupe for a delicious side to dip your favorite fruit or crackers!
How to Make Thanksgiving Fruit Salad
Prepare the Fruit
Wash the grapes thoroughly and cut them in half.
Wash, core, and dice the apples. You can leave the skin on for added color and texture.
Peel the oranges and separate them into segments, removing any seeds or pith.
Wash, core, and dice the pears. Leave the skin on for extra texture.
Dressing
In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, orange juice, and pumpkin pie spice. Adjust the amount of honey and pumpkin pie spice to suit your taste preferences. You can add a bit more honey for extra sweetness or pumpkin pie spice for a warm autumn flavor.
Assembly
In a large bowl, combine the red grapes, diced apples, orange segments, and diced pears. Gently toss them together to distribute the flavors.
Add the walnuts for an added crunch.
Drizzle the honey-pumpkin pie spice dressing over the fruit in the large mixing bowl.
Gently toss the fruit salad, ensuring that all the fruits are coated with the sweet and spiced dressing. Be careful not to mash the fruits; you want to keep them intact.
If time allows, cover the bowl with a wrap and chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
Storage
Store the fruit salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
The orange juice and honey can help preserve the fruit, making them less likely to get brown quickly
Dietary Preferences
Vegetarian
Vegan: Just swap the honey for maple syrup or agave.
Gluten-Free
Dairy-Free
Nut-Free (without walnuts): If you omit the optional walnuts or use a nut substitute like seeds (e.g., pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds), the salad can be made nut-free for those with nut allergies.
Paleo: Swap the honey for a paleo-suitable sweetener if needed.
FAQ
What fruits are typically used in a Thanksgiving fruit salad?
Some of the typical fruits used in a Thanksgiving fruit salad include:
Red apples: Crisp and crunchy apples are a popular choice for their vibrant color and natural sweetness. Leave the skin on for added texture and nutrition. You can even try using granny smith apples for a tart and crisp flavor twist!
Oranges: Citrus fruit like oranges add a burst of bright flavor to the salad. Peel and separate them into segments, removing any seeds or pith.
Pears: Diced pears bring a delicate and slightly sweet taste to the fruit salad. Like apples, you can keep the skin on for added texture.
Red Grapes: Halved red grapes add a pop of juicy sweetness to the fruit salad. They provide a nice contrast in texture and color.
These fruits create a beautiful combination of flavors and textures, but feel free to get creative and add other seasonal fresh fruit that you enjoy. Some additional fruits that work well in a Thanksgiving fruit salad include pomegranate seeds, fresh cranberries, cherries, mandarin oranges, pineapple, bananas, green grapes, and kiwi.
Looking for even more delectable dishes to add to your dessert menu? My Air Fried Apples are the perfect holiday treat!
What are some creative ways to serve a Thanksgiving fruit salad?
Fruit Salad Stuffed Acorn Squash: Cut an acorn squash in half and remove the seeds. Roast the squash halves until tender. Fill them with your fruit salad mixture and drizzle with a honey cinnamon glaze. This unique presentation will wow your guests!
Mini Fruit Salad Cups: Use hollowed-out citrus fruits like oranges or grapefruits as individual serving cups for your fruit salad. Fill each cup with a generous portion of the salad and garnish with a sprig of mint.
Fruit Salad Parfait: Layer your fruit salad with Greek yogurt and granola in individual glasses or mason jars. This creates a beautiful and delicious dessert-like presentation that can be enjoyed as a light and refreshing Thanksgiving treat.
Fruit Salad Trifle: Layer your fruit salad with pound cake or angel food cake and whipped cream in a trifle dish. This creates a stunning dessert centerpiece that combines the flavors of fruit salad with the indulgence of a trifle.
Fruit Salad Kabobs: Thread bite-sized pieces of fruit from your salad onto skewers for a fun and portable way to serve your fruit salad. Guests can grab a kabob and enjoy the flavors of the salad on the go.
What are some delicious additions to a Thanksgiving fruit salad?
Mandarin oranges: These citrus fruits add a burst of bright and juicy flavor to the salad. They are the perfect addition to balance out the sweetness of other fruits.
Pomegranate seeds: These ruby-red seeds not only add a pop of color to the salad but also provide a delightful burst of sweetness and a satisfying crunch.
Fall fruits: Incorporate seasonal fruits like cranberries and apples into your salad. They add a touch of tartness and a festive flavor that complements the Thanksgiving feast.
Crunchy pecans: Add some nutty flavor and a satisfying crunch by tossing in some toasted pecans. They pair well with the sweetness of the fruits and add a nice texture contrast.
Creamy dressing: Consider drizzling your fruit salad with a creamy dressing made from Greek yogurt or sour cream. It adds a tangy and velvety element to the salad, elevating the flavor profile.
Maple syrup: Instead of using honey as a sweetener, try using maple syrup. Its rich and distinct flavor adds a touch of warmth and richness to the fruit salad.
Citrus zest: Enhance the fruit flavors by adding a sprinkle of lemon or orange zest. It adds a bright and refreshing note to the salad that complements the fruits beautifully.
This easy fruit salad recipe is the perfect addition to your Thanksgiving menu. With its vibrant colors, refreshing flavors, and allergen-friendly options, it offers something for everyone at the table. Whether you're serving it as a light dessert or a palate cleanser, this fruit salad is sure to be a hit. Plus, with its quick preparation time and the ability to make it ahead of time, it takes the stress out of holiday cooking. So why not give this festive fruit salad a try and add a touch of freshness to your Thanksgiving feast?
Easy & Delicious Thanksgiving Fruit Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup red grapes, halved
- 2 apples, diced
- 2 oranges, peeled and segmented
- 2 pears, diced
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts (optional, for added crunch)
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- Fresh mint leaves for garnish
Instructions
- Wash the grapes thoroughly and cut them in half.
- Wash, core and dice the apples. You can leave the skin on for added color and texture.
- Peel the oranges and separate them into segments, removing any seeds or pith.
- Wash, core and dice the pears. Leave the skin on for extra texture.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, orange juice, and pumpkin pie spice. Adjust the amount of honey and pumpkin pie spice to suit your taste preferences. You can add a bit more honey for extra sweetness or pumpkin pie spice for a warm, autumn flavor.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the red grapes, diced apples, orange segments, and diced pears. Gently toss them together to distribute the flavors.
- Add the walnuts for an added crunch.
- Drizzle the honey-pumpkin pie spice dressing over the fruit in the large mixing bowl.
- Gently toss the fruit salad, ensuring that all the fruits are coated with the sweet and spiced dressing. Be careful not to mash the fruits; you want to keep them intact.
- If time allows, cover the bowl with a wrap and chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
