Perfect Summer Fruit Salad Recipe (2024)

This tasty fruit salad recipe is perfect for any summer get together and it never disappoints. The refreshing summer fruit mixed with the creamy yogurt dressing is a delicious way to keep cool and energized during these hot summer days. This fruit salad is great to take to backyard BBQs, cookouts, pool parties, or any occasion. It’s colorful, vibrant, and always a crowd pleaser! Plus, it’s an easy way to sneak in extra vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants for the whole family.

A homemade summer fruit salad is one of my favorite things to make during the hot summer months. And, best of all, this fruit salad is very customizable and can be made to fit your taste preference. So, if you’re not a fan of a certain fruit (or maybe you’re allergic), you can easily substitute it with another type of fruit that you do enjoy. I’ve made substitution ideas on the recipe card below.

How To Make Fruit Salad

Making fruit salad yourself with perfectly ripened, fresh fruit is on a level of its own. Store-bought fruit salad may be an easy grab-and-go option, but it’s mostly likely not going to be nearly as fresh (or sweet!). So, I highly recommend making this fruit salad recipe yourself. It only takes about 15-20 minutes to put together.

Fruit Salad Ingredients

These are the ingredients you’ll need to make my popular summer fruit salad recipe.

• For the yogurt dressing: Use any type of plain yogurt (greek, dairy free, etc.) mixed with vanilla extract, raw honey, lemon juice and zest, and cinnamon.
• For the fruit: I’ve chosen to use blueberries, strawberries, peaches, kiwi, grapes, and apples. I know apples technically aren’t a summer fruit, but I love the unique crisp texture they bring to the salad. But, feel free to swap out any of these fruits with others, such as pineapple, mango, mandarin oranges, apricots, etc.)
• For added crunch: What makes this fruit salad so unique is the added crunch from the walnuts. Feel free to substitute with chopped almonds, sunflower seeds, chopped pecans, etc.

How To Make This Fruit Salad

Here’s an overview of how to make this creamy yogurt summer fruit salad.

1. Make the yogurt dressing. Combine all yogurt dressing ingredients and mix until fully combined.
2. Prepare the fruit. Rinse, dry, and chop the fruit. Then, place the fruit into a bowl and pour the yogurt dressing over top. Mix until combined.
3. Marinate. Place foil or a lid over the bowl and let chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours.

How To Store

Fruit salad is best eaten within 24 hours of making it, especially if it’s for a party, event, or gathering. However, if you’re making it for yourself and your family, it’ll stay fresh for up to 4 days in the fridge when stored in an airtight container. If you have leftovers after 4 days, you can pop it into a blender and make a smoothie or even freeze it to be eaten or turned into a smoothie later.

Tip for Making the Best Fruit Salad

• Soak the berries and grapes in a water/vinegar/baking soda mixture to extend freshness. I find when I do this, it not only helps to thoroughly clean the fruit, but it also seems to extend the freshness of it.
• Fruit must be fully dry. Before adding the fruit to the bowl to mix, make sure it’s fully dry. This ensure that the fruit salad isn’t too watery.
• Always use fresh fruit. When making any fruit salad recipe, you’ll never want to use frozen fruit because it’ll eventually thaw out and become too watery.
• Always use fruit that’s fully ripe. This is KEY to getting the best flavor. Unripened fruit can be bitter and too tangy. You want the fruit to be ripe and sweet. This is especially important for the kiwi, peaches, and strawberries.
• Get creative with the yogurt dressing. Feel free to use a flavored yogurt to add a boost of flavor.

Summer Fruit Salad Recipe Video

Looking for more healthy summer recipes?

Here’s a few of my favorite healthy recipes to make in the Spring and Summer months.

• Mango Chicken Salad with Homemade Cilantro Lime Dressing – delicious summer salad with a mix of sweet and savory flavors!
• Refreshing Coconut Water Fruit Popsicles – perfect to keep you and the family cool in the hot summer months!
• No-Bake Mango Pineapple Energy Balls – a healthy snack to keep you energized between meals.
• Chili Lime Plantain Chips – a crunchy, spicy snack to satisfy your savory snack cravings.
• Frozen Banana Snickers – the perfect sweet and chocolate-y snack!
• Creamy Egg Salad Recipe – perfect healthy no-reheat lunch for summer (or try my mayonnaise-free avocado egg salad)!