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This tropical fruit salad is made with some of the most succulent tropical fruit! Including fresh pineapple, tangy kiwi, juicy mango, plump blueberries, and vibrant strawberries for contrast. This recipe also includes my “secret sauce,” which is citrusy and floral. It’s the perfect summertime treat!
There’s something about tropical fruit that just makes you feel happy. Maybe it’s the bright colors or the sweet and juicy flavors, but I can’t get enough of it! In this recipe, I’ve combined some of my favorite tropical fruits into a delicious fruit salad. The kiwi provides a bit of tartness, the pineapple brings sweetness and juiciness, and the mango adds a lovely creamy texture. I’ve also added some blueberries and strawberries for extra flavor and color. And to top it all off, I’ve added orange juice with a touch of rose water. So good!
why you’ll love this easy fruit salad
- Bright, fresh flavors. Fresh fruit salad on a blistering hot summer day is one of the best things ever. It has a way of invigorating you and making you feel refreshed.
- Perfect balance of sweet and tart. The orange juice and rose water add a lovely sweetness to the salad, while the kiwi provides a bit of tartness. The pineapple and mango bring their own natural sweetness to the mix, making this salad perfectly balanced.
- Hint of floral. The rose water in this recipe gives the salad a beautiful and subtle floral flavor, just the way my mom taught me to make it. It’s not overwhelming, but it’s definitely there. And it goes so well with the other flavors!
- Kids & adults love it. This is one dish that both kids and adults can enjoy. The bright colors and juicy flavors are sure to please everyone. And it’s so easy to make!
Ingredients to make tropical fruit salad
- Pineapple: You can use canned or fresh pineapple. I prefer fresh because it’s juicier and tastier, but canned will work in a pinch.
- Kiwi: I like to use green kiwi, but you can also use golden kiwi.
- Mango: You can use any type of mango you like. I prefer the larger, sweeter version for this salad.
- Blueberries: The blueberries add a lovely pop of color.
- Strawberries: The strawberries add a beautiful red hue and a bit of tartness.
- Orange juice: This is my “secret sauce” ingredient! It adds a lovely citrus flavor and ties all the flavors together.
- Rose water: Optional, but this is very common when making Middle Eastern style fruit salads, and I love how it perks up this fruit salad.
How to make Tropical Fruit Salad
- Place all the fruit together in a bowl.
- Pour the orange juice and the rose water over the fruit.
- Gently mix together.
Tips for making this kiwi, pineapple & mango fruit salad
- Chop the fruit into small, similar-sized pieces. They will be easier to toss in the dressing and easier to eat, and it makes the presentation for the fruit salad so much more appetizing.
- Use ripe fruit for the fullest flavors. While I try to get different colors and textures in the fruit salad, the most important aspect is picking fruits that are ripe and seasonal.
- Avoid fruits that become can discolor or become mushy. Because you’ll be tossing the fruit salad with orange juice, avoid fruits like raspberries, bananas, or pears that can get softened or discolor quickly when tossed.
- Serve the salad cold. I like to let it rest in the fridge for 30 minutes before serving to really let the flavors develop. It’s actually even better the next day!
popular substitutions & additions
- Squeeze lemon juice on top. While the orange juice helps to add sweetness to the fruit salad, lemon juice can help stop the fruits from browning too quickly. This is especially helpful if you’re adding apples.
- Add crushed pistachios or pine nuts. This is pretty common when making Lebanese-style fruit salad which is topped with clotted cream (called ashta) along with crushed pistachios or pine nuts.
- Add bananas when serving. While I don’t advise adding bananas to toss in the fruit salad, I usually add a couple slices on top just before serving in individual cups.
- Sweeten with honey or maple syrup. If you’re using ripe and seasonal fruits, you shouldn’t have to add any sweetener on top of the fruit salad. However, if it tastes too tart, feel free to sweeten to your taste.
how to store fresh fruit salad
Keep your fruit salad in the fridge in an air-tight container until you’re ready to serve. If you don’t like cold fruit, you can remove it from the fridge and let it come to room temp for about 20-30 minutes before serving.
How long will fruit salad last in the fridge?
Fruit salad does not have a long shelf life and is best enjoyed within a day or two. After that, the fruits will start to release their juices, and the salad will become soggy.
Frequently asked questions
This salad can be tossed in the dressing, and it will keep well in the fridge for up to 3 days. I prefer to serve it within 24 hours as the fruits will start to release their juices after that.
You can put any kind of fruit you like in a fruit salad. It’s a great way to use up bits and pieces in your fridge. If you use soft fruits like bananas, it’s best not to add them until you are ready to serve, as they can brown.
I don’t recommend it. Frozen fruit tends to be mushy, lack flavor, and release a lot of juice when thawed. If you’re using frozen fruit, make sure to thaw it completely and drain any excess juices before adding it to the salad.
This easy tropical fruit salad is perfect for summer potlucks, BBQs, or just a quick and healthy snack. The best part is that it’s so easy to make with only a few simple ingredients. I love the combination of kiwi, pineapple, mango, and berries – it’s such a refreshing and tasty treat!
More fruity dessert recipes:
- Cream Cheese Fruit Dip
- Watermelon Blueberry Salad
- Grilled Fruit Kabobs
- Fruit & Yogurt Parfait
- Watermelon Pizza
- Fruit Pizza
- Vegan Lemon Bars
- Frozen Yogurt Bark
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Dip
If you try this feel good Fresh Fruit Salad recipe or any other recipe on Feel Good Foodie, then don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave a comment below! It helps others who are thinking of making the recipe. We would love to hear about your experience making it. And if you snapped some shots, share it on Instagram so we can repost on Stories!
This Fresh Fruit Salad recipe was originally published on October 9, 2017. The recipe has been modified to change the coconut lime poppy seed dressing to an orange juice and rose water dressing. The post now includes new step-by-step photos for how to make the fruit salad.
Fresh Fruit Salad
Video
Ingredients
- 2 cups strawberries hulled and diced
- 2 mangoes diced
- 2 cups pineapple diced
- 4 kiwis diced
- 2 cups blueberries
- ½ cup orange juice
- 1 tablespoon rose water
Instructions
- Place all the fruit together in a bowl. Pour the orange juice and the rose water on top and toss gently to combine.
- Serve immediately at room temperature or chill in the fridge for one hour.
Notes
- Instead of lime juice, you can use lemon juice.
- Instead of honey, you can use maple syrup or agave syrup.
- Use your favorite fruits that are in season.
Nutrition
Nutrition information provided is an estimate. It will vary based on cooking method and specific ingredients used.
This is another one of my favorite recipe I prepared for 40 guests last Saturday and they loved it so much they kept coming back for more. The best part of making this fruit salad is that we are in a great season to get sweet fruits. I live in Central West Florida and strawberries are well know here for their sweetness. We have many strawberry, blueberry and orange fields in the area which enhances this recipe even more. Could never go wrong with this recipe. Is a win win.
Thank you so much, Mary! Florida does have some of the best produce, I agree!
I do not see the honey in the recipe. When do you add it and how much?
Thanks
The honey is an optional addition, so I would add it with the orange juice and the rose water. You can add as much or as little as you want because it’ll come down to sweetness preference!
Wondering if you use freshly squeezed orange juice or the store bought bottles?
You can!
This salad was delicious! The hint of rose water was very refreshing.
I added a passion fruit on top and honestly, it smelled like David Austin rose!
Thank you so much! I love that idea!
I feel stupid, but where does one get ‘rose water’?
Cortas actually sells it online! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0072NKF4E?ref=exp_influencer-feelgoodfoodie_dp_vv_d
Mmmm, saving this in my recipe box. Thank you!!
You’re so welcome!
Love fruit salad. Good selection of fruits.
Amazing tried it yesterday