Honey Lime Fruit Salad
/This Honey Lime Fruit Salad is one of my favorite ways to make a big bowl of fresh fruit feel just a little more special. It's filled with blueberries, cherries, mandarin oranges, pineapple, kiwi and strawberries, then tossed with a simple three-ingredient honey lime dressing.
The dressing is just sweet enough without covering up the flavor of the fruit. Fresh lime juice and zest add brightness, while honey brings everything together.
It's colorful, easy to make and perfect for summer brunches, backyard dinners, holidays or anytime you need an easy side dish that everyone can scoop onto their plate.
Why You'll Love This Honey Lime Fruit Salad
The best part about this fruit salad is how simple it is. There's no complicated dressing or long prep process—just fresh fruit and a quick honey lime dressing.
I especially love the mix of colors and textures. You get sweet strawberries and cherries, juicy pineapple and mandarin oranges, tart kiwi and little bursts of blueberries in every scoop.
It's also an easy recipe for entertaining because you can prepare the fruit ahead and toss everything with the dressing shortly before serving.
Ingredient Notes
There are only a handful of things you need to make this recipe, so using fresh, flavorful fruit makes all the difference.
Fresh Fruit
I use a combination of blueberries, cherries, mandarin oranges, pineapple, kiwi and strawberries.
Cut the larger fruits into bite-size pieces so you can get several different fruits in each scoop. Blueberries can stay whole.
You can also adjust the combination depending on what's in season or what you have on hand. The honey lime dressing is simple enough that it works with lots of different fruits.
Honey
Honey adds just enough sweetness to the dressing and balances the acidity of the fresh lime.
Fresh Lime Juice
Use freshly squeezed lime juice here rather than bottled. Since the dressing has only three ingredients, that fresh citrus flavor really stands out.
Lime Zest
Don't skip the zest. It gives the dressing even more lime flavor without adding additional acidity.
Amanda's Tips for the Best Fruit Salad
Start With Good Fruit
This is one of those recipes where the ingredients really do all the work. Use ripe, flavorful fruit and remove anything that's overly soft or bruised.
Keep the Pieces Bite-Size
Try to cut the strawberries, pineapple, kiwi and cherries into similarly sized pieces. It makes the finished bowl easier to serve and gives you a better mix of fruit in every bite.
Dry the Fruit Well
After washing your fruit, let it drain and dry before assembling the salad. Excess water can dilute the honey lime dressing and leave liquid sitting at the bottom of the bowl.
Toss Gently
Once you add the dressing, gently fold everything together rather than aggressively stirring it. This helps keep softer fruits like strawberries and kiwi intact.
Add the Dressing Closer to Serving
You can prep the fruit ahead, but I prefer adding the honey lime dressing closer to serving so everything stays as fresh and pretty as possible.
Perfect for Brunches and Summer Gatherings
This is one of those easy recipes that's especially helpful when you're hosting because it goes with almost anything.
Serve it alongside pancakes, French toast or egg dishes for brunch, add it to a summer barbecue spread, or bring out a big bowl with lunch or dinner.
I love serving colorful fruit salad in a large serving bowl because all of the colors really stand out against it.
Because it's already naturally sweet, you can also serve this as a lighter option alongside cakes and other desserts when you're entertaining.
Honey Lime Fruit Salad
A colorful fresh fruit salad made with strawberries, blueberries, cherries, pineapple, kiwi and mandarin oranges tossed in an easy three-ingredient honey lime dressing.
Ingredients
For the Fruit Salad
2 cups blueberries
2 cups cherries, pitted and cut as needed
2 cups mandarin oranges
2 cups pineapple, cut into bite-size pieces
2 cups kiwi, peeled and cut into bite-size pieces
2 cups strawberries, hulled and cut into bite-size pieces
For the Honey Lime Dressing
3 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice
1 teaspoon lime zest
These quantities stay true to your original recipe.
Instructions
1. Prepare the Fruit
Wash and dry the fresh fruit.
Pit the cherries, hull the strawberries, peel the kiwi and cut the larger fruits into bite-size pieces.
Add all of the prepared fruit to a large serving bowl.
2. Make the Honey Lime Dressing
In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, freshly squeezed lime juice and lime zest until combined.
3. Toss the Fruit Salad
Drizzle the honey lime dressing evenly over the fruit.
Gently toss until the fruit is evenly coated.
Serve immediately or refrigerate until you're ready to serve.
Amanda's Tip
Make sure your fruit is well drained and dry before adding the dressing. Extra water left on freshly washed fruit can dilute that simple honey lime dressing.
Save This Recipe
Save this Honey Lime Fruit Salad for summer gatherings, brunches and those weeks when you want a big bowl of fresh fruit ready in the refrigerator.
I've included a printable recipe card below so it's easy to print and come back to whenever you're ready to make it again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Make Honey Lime Fruit Salad Ahead of Time?
Yes, but for the best texture I prefer preparing the fruit ahead and keeping it refrigerated, then adding the honey lime dressing closer to serving.
If you do toss everything together ahead of time, keep the fruit salad covered and refrigerated.
Can I Use Different Fruit?
Yes. One of the easiest things about this recipe is adjusting the fruit based on what's in season.
Just try to choose a combination with different colors, flavors and textures rather than using several fruits that are all very soft.
Can I Use Frozen Fruit?
I prefer fresh fruit for this recipe. Frozen fruit releases considerably more liquid as it thaws and can make the finished salad softer and more watery.
How Long Does Fruit Salad Last in the Refrigerator?
For the best flavor and texture, I would enjoy this fruit salad as fresh as possible. As it sits, the fruit naturally releases juice and becomes softer.
Should I Chill Fruit Salad Before Serving?
You can. If you like your fruit salad cold, refrigerate the prepared fruit before adding the dressing. This gives you that chilled, refreshing fruit salad without requiring the fruit to sit in the dressing for a long time.
More Fresh Salad Recipes You'll Love
If you love fruit in summer salads, try my Berry Walnut Goat Cheese Salad with Strawberry Vinaigrette next.
For more fresh salad ideas, save my Pear & Walnut Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing and Sweet Kale Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing too.
Shop My Kitchen Essentials
These are some of the kitchen and serving pieces I use again and again for everyday recipes and entertaining.
Final Thoughts
Fresh fruit doesn't need much to make it feel special, and that's exactly why I love this Honey Lime Fruit Salad.
The combination of colorful summer fruit with a little honey, fresh lime juice and lime zest is simple, bright and so easy to put together. It works for brunch, summer dinners, holidays and just having a bowl of fruit ready for everyone to enjoy.
And when all of those colors are piled into one big serving bowl, it's one of the easiest things you can put on the table that still looks beautiful.
