So easy, fresh fruit salad is made from summer-ripened stone fruit and fresh berries. Juicy cherries, peaches, apricots, blueberries and fresh basil are drizzled with a delicious vanilla balsamic dressing.
This gorgeous summer fruit salad is quick and easy to make and the tender, ripe fruit is served right away. Stone fruit is in season during the summer months and we can’t get enough of it! The sweet juiciness of peaches pairs well with tart cherries, floral apricots and fresh blueberries. Make a simple dressing with vanilla extract, balsamic vinegar, and black pepper, just enough to coat the fruit and bring out the flavors. When the summer fruits are ripe and at their peak, there is no need to add sweeteners. Check out these delicious summer recipes to learn more – 75+ easy and healthy summer recipes!
Why You’ll Love This Fruit Salad Recipe
- Everyone loves fruit salad! It’s refreshing, beautiful, and healthy, making it the perfect potluck addition, brunch side, or light dessert – a lovely side to any meal!
- The fruit salad dressing! Just a hint of vanilla, pepper and balsamic vinegar give fresh fruit a dreamy flavor combination.
- highlights summer fruit You can never go wrong with ripe summer fruit. Summer fruits are fantastic on their own, but this salad takes it up a notch, Create an elegant yet simple side dish.
- No added sweetener! When using fresh, ripe summer fruit, no sugar, brown sugar, maple syrup, or honey is required! It’s perfect and naturally cute just the way it is.
- It is healthy! Packed with vitamin C, potassium and polyphenols, this fruit salad is a healthy addition to any diet and a great way to increase your fruit intake.
Ingredients for a simple fruit salad
Notes on fruit salad ingredients
- cherry Add just the right amount of sweet and tart. Plums work even if cherries aren’t available.
- blueberry or use any available berry. Blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, marionberries, and boysenberries are good choices.
- peach They are simply the quintessential summer fruit! Nectarines also taste good here.
- Basil- peppery and fresh, so good with fruit! or fresh mint.
- balsamic– gives the fruit such a beautiful depth and spice. It’s hard to replace this one.
- vanilla extract Bourbon vanilla is nice, but any will do. It goes so well with balsamic and pepper.
- Black Pepper- Just a little spicy kick really complements the sweetness.
For a full list of ingredients and measurements, see the recipe card below.
How to make the best fruit salad!
Step one- Prepare the fruits. Pit and halve the cherries. Wash blueberries. Halve and stone the apricots and cut each into 4 slices. Peel and slice the peaches into 1/2 inch thick slices.
step two- Make the dressing. Whisk together the balsamic vinegar, olive oil, vanilla, pepper and a pinch of salt.
step three- Combine. Arrange half of the fruit in a bowl and carefully layer the fruit. Peaches and ripe apricots break down easily; Layering instead of tossing will help keep the fruit looking fresh. Drizzle about 1/3 of the dressing over the fruit. Scatter 1/2 of the basil on top. Layer the remaining fruit and drizzle with the remaining dressing. Scatter the rest of the basil on top.
garnish with a few small basil leaves.
Ways to serve fruit salad
Frequently Asked Questions about Fruit Salad
The sweet taste of balsamic vinegar pairs well with cherries, plums, strawberries, peaches, blueberries, and figs.
Yes! The fresh green flavors of fresh herbs can significantly enhance the flavor of fruit.
Basil goes great with strawberries, peaches, plums, apricots, cherries and nectarines.
Rosemary goes well with strawberries, apples and oranges.
Mint goes well with almost any fruit.
Use fresh, organic, seasonal fruit.
Instead of adding every type of fruit, choose 4-5 fruits that complement each other.
Combine sweet fruits with tart berries or cherries.
Crushed citrus tastes best with melons or avocados, while citrus peel and juice are more versatile and can be used with most fruits.
Balsamic vinegar adds depth to strawberries, plums, cherries and peaches.
For best results, the fruit salad should be prepared and served immediately. Sturdy fruits like melons and blueberries can be blended ahead of time. When your fruit is ripe, it can discolor quickly and some of the fruit color will transfer to the other fruit. You can sprinkle citrus over the fruit to keep it from turning brown, but this will also break down the fibers and make the fruit mushy.
What to serve with the Easy Fruit Salad
More fruit salads you’ll love!
Have fun making this fruit salad!
~Tonia
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Description
That is expensive fruit salad is made from summer-ripened stone fruits and berries. Cherries, peaches and apricots together with blueberries and fresh basil – finished with a delicious vanilla balsamic dressing.
- Mix the balsamic vinegar, vinegar, olive oil, vanilla, pepper and a pinch of salt.
- Pit and halve the cherries. Wash blueberries. Halve the apricots, deseed and cut into about 4 slices per half. Peel and slice the peaches into 1/2 inch thick slices.
- Arrange half of the fruit in a bowl and carefully layer the fruit. Peaches and apricots are easily decomposed. Layering instead of tossing keeps the fruit fresh. Drizzle about 1/3 of the dressing over the fruit. Scatter 1/2 of the basil on top. Layer the remaining fruit and drizzle with the remaining dressing. Scatter the rest of the basil on top.
- Garnish with a few small basil leaves.
Remarks
For best results, the fruit salad should be prepared and served immediately. When your fruit is ripe, it can discolor quickly and some of the fruit color will transfer to the other fruit.
Nourishment
- Serving size: 1 cup
- Calories: 168
- Sugar: 29.4g
- Sodium: 3 mg
- Fat: 2.9g
- Saturated Fatty Acids: 0.3g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 3.7g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
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