Tropical Fruit Salad

5 from 36 votes

This Tropical Fruit Salad is easy to make and is packed with fresh kiwi, mangoes, pineapple, and berries. Plus, my "secret sauce" adds an interesting twist!

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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!

Overhead shot of large serving bowl of fresh fruit salad with a variety of chopped fruit.
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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!
Cutting board with prepared cut fruit for recipe.

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.
Ingredients for fruit salad: whole pineapple, kiwis, strawberries, blueberries, mangos, and orange juice.

How to make Tropical Fruit Salad

  1. Place all the fruit together in a bowl.
  2. Pour the orange juice and the rose water over the fruit.
  3. Gently mix together.
3 image collage on how to prepare fruit salad.

Tips for making this kiwi, pineapple & mango fruit salad

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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!
  • 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

Can you make fruit salad ahead of time?

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.

What fruits shouldn’t you put in a fruit salad?

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.

Can I use frozen fruit for this salad?

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.

Overhead image of fruit salad with spoon on side of dish.

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:

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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.

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Fresh Fruit Salad

This Tropical Fruit Salad is easy to make and is packed with fresh kiwi, mangoes, pineapple, and berries. Plus, my "secret sauce" adds an interesting twist!
5 from 36 votes
Servings 8 servings
Course Dessert
Calories 118
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes

Video

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups strawberries hulled and diced
  • 2 mangoes diced
  • 2 cups diced pineapple
  • 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

Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container. It’s best to consume it within 24 hours but it will keep well for up to 3 days.
Substitutes: For best results, follow the recipe as is. However here are some common substitutes that would work well in this recipe.
  • 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

Serving: 1g, Calories: 118kcal, Carbohydrates: 29g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 4mg, Potassium: 337mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 22g, Vitamin A: 679IU, Vitamin C: 105mg, Calcium: 37mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate. It will vary based on cooking method and specific ingredients used.

Cuisine American
Course: Dessert

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Comments

  1. 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.

    1. 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!

  2. 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!