Honey Lime Fruit Salad
If you love fruit and healthy eating, this honey lime fruit salad is a delicious way to meet your needs. It contains a refreshing variety of fruits and the honey adds a touch of sweetness. A great alternative for those who want to cut down on processed sugar intake. So, if you are looking for a colorful dish for your menu or just a healthy snack, this honey lime fruit salad recipe is all you need.
We often think of sweetness as being a major force in honey recipes. But this is not always so. Sometimes, honey provides a compliment to existing flavors rather than taking the main stage. This is certainly true for this salad recipe. The natural sweetness of the fruit is enhanced.
A Beautiful Rainbow Fruit Salad with Honey & Lime
Using a combination of delicious fruits, this rainbow fruit salad is very nutritious. It provides many different vitamins and minerals – and of course fiber! This is a great way to get essential nutrients and support healthy digestion.
One of the best benefits of this recipe is the endless possibilities for combinations. Customize your honey lime fruit salad to suit the flavors your family likes best. This allows you to take advantage of more economical fruit that is currently in season.
Ingredients
This is a list of what I used in my fruit salad but you can, of course, customize it.
- strawberries
- pineapple
- blueberries
- red grapes
- kiwi
- mandarin oranges
- limes -juice
- honey
Fruits
When choosing fruit, you want to select pieces that are ripe but not over-ripe. There should be no moldy or mushy spots on your strawberries, pineapple, blueberries, red grapes or kiwi.
If you use frozen blueberries, perhaps saved from last season. Be sure to let them thaw and strain out any extra liquid. Fresh blueberries are the best option if available.
I choose to buy a fresh pineapple that was already pealed and cored. It was only a $1 more and well worth it.
For the mandarin oranges, canned works just as well as fresh and are easier to obtain and work with.
Lime Juice
The limes will not be put into the salad ( though I guess you could) – you really only need the juice. Choose limes that are ripe and have some give when squeezed. Honestly, I often use bottled lime juice instead of fresh.
Honey
Most people have no idea how many types of honey really exists. Luckily, it does not matter what variety of honey you use for this recipe. There is no need to pay more for something special – regular wildflower honey worker great.
And since honey never goes bad, it’s good to keep some in your pantry. There are so many things you can use honey for in future recipes and projects.
Step by Step Guide to Preparing
Preparation does not get much easier than this.
1. Wash and dry the fresh fruit. Cut out any blemishes or bad spots you find. It is important that your fruit be dry before you continue.
2. Remove the caps from the strawberries prior to cutting. Then, chop them into bite-sized pieces.
Prepare the pineapple – if you buy one already cored, be sure to drain out any juice. Fresh pineapple is great but I can make a bigger mess cutting up fresh pineapple than any other human.
Peel and cut the kiwi into small pieces. I choose to leave the mandarin orange slices whole but you could cut them in half. I do generally cut the washed grapes in half-but that is optional. Blueberries are best left whole.
Use a strainer or colander to drain out excess moisture from any of the fruits. Combine all fruit into a medium-large bowl.
3. Zest the limes. And either juice them or use bottled lime juice.
4. Prepare the honey lime dressing. This is done by combining lime juice and zest with honey. Blend together well and pour over fruit. Toss to coat each piece.
Storage & Use
*Honey lime fruit salad is best on day one but you can store in the fridge (in an airtight container) for another day or two (depending on the fruit used.)
It can be served as a side dish or even dessert. The recipe also makes a nice option for lunch providing a great energy boost for anyone who loves fresh fruit.
Expert Tips
*To get the best flavor, prepare right before serving. If time is a problem, you can prepare the fruit and dressing the day before. Store separately in the refrigerator and combine right before serving.
*If you want to add bananas, be sure to choose firm, but ripe bananas and add just before serving. Another idea is to add in honeydew melon if one of the other fruits is not available.
FAQs
Yes, you can prepare the fruit and the dressing separately ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator. However, it’s best to combine them right before serving to maintain optimal freshness and texture.
Yes! Feel free to customize the fruit selection based on your preferences or what’s in season. Some great options are mango, grapes, raspberries, or even diced apples.
This salad is best on day one. But, you can store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days. Do realize that the fruit texture will change over time.
More Ideas
A little honey can make a big difference in your recipes. Honey is often used in baking because it helps baked goods retain moisture.
That’s why it is a popular ingredient in recipes such as: baked blueberry honey scones and even peanut butter & honey cookies. A little sweetness goes a long way.
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Honey Lime Fruit Salad Recipe
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Read my disclosure.Ingredients
- 13 oz fresh strawberries, chopped
- 8 oz fresh pineapple, chopped
- 12 oz blueberries
- 12 oz red grapes – sliced in half
- 3 kiwis
- 3 mandarin oranges
Honey Lime Dressing
- 1/3 cup honey
- 2 tsp lime zest
- 2 tbsp lime juice (fresh or concentrate)
Instructions
- Wash and dry all fruit. The strawberries, pineapple and kiwis should be prepared and chopped into bite sized chunks or pieces. I used cored pineapple because it was only a $1 more than a regular one and worth the expense to me.Wash and drain the blueberries. Fresh is better but if you want to use frozen – be sure to let them thaw and drain away the juices.Wash and dry the red grapes and cut them in half. I chose to use canned mandarin oranges. Let all fruit drain well to reduce liquid.
- All all fruit into a large mixing bowl.
Honey Lime Dressing
- In another mixing bowl, whisk together the honey, lime zest and juice. You can squeeze fresh juice from your limes or use a concentrate.
- Poor honey lime dressing over the fruit in large bowl and gently toss to coat. Serve immediately.