Christmas Fruit Salad

A christmas fruit salad brings bright colors and fresh flavors to a heavy holiday table. It uses a mix of green and red fruits like apples, grapes, kiwis, raspberries, and pomegranate arils.

The salad takes about 30 minutes to prep and requires no cooking. A simple dressing of honey, orange juice, and cinnamon ties the different fruits together without making them too sweet.

Why will you love Christmas Fruit Salad?

Dicing the apples and kiwis into uniform pieces makes the salad easier to eat.

Whisking the dressing in a separate bowl ensures the cinnamon and honey distribute evenly over the fruit.

Adding delicate fruits like raspberries last prevents them from getting crushed while tossing.

Christmas Fruit Salad Ingredients

• Apples: Granny Smith apples add a tart bite that balances the sweeter fruits, but any crisp green or red apple will work.

• Grapes: A mix of red and green grapes adds more color. Seedless varieties save prep time.

• Honey: Agave nectar or maple syrup can be used instead of honey for the dressing.

• Pomegranate arils: You can buy these pre-packaged in the produce section to save time, or seed a whole pomegranate yourself.

• Mandarin oranges: Fresh tangerines or canned mandarin oranges drained of their juice are both fine to use.

Exact quantities are in the recipe card below.

How to Make Christmas Fruit Salad

Step 1: Make the dressing

Start by making the simple fruit dressing. Whisk the honey, orange juice, water, and cinnamon together in a small bowl. Set this aside while you prepare the fruit.

Step 2: Prepare the fruit

Wash and dry all the fresh produce. Core and dice the apples, halve the grapes, and peel and chop the kiwis. Place these sturdier fruits into a large mixing bowl.

Step 3: Toss and serve

Add the softer raspberries, pomegranate arils, and mandarin oranges to the bowl. Drizzle the prepared dressing over the top. Toss everything gently to coat the fruit without mashing the raspberries.

What to Serve with Christmas Fruit Salad

Serve this fruit salad alongside roasted meats or a holiday breakfast spread.

Helpful Tricks for Christmas Fruit Salad

Wait to add the dressing until just before serving to keep the fruit firm.

To prevent the apples from browning if making ahead, toss them in a little lemon juice before mixing with the other fruit.

Use a gentle hand when tossing the salad so the raspberries do not break apart.

How to Store and Freeze Christmas Fruit Salad

Store leftover fruit salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The fruit will soften and release juices as it sits. This dish does not freeze well.

Christmas Fruit Salad Recipe FAQs

Can I make this fruit salad ahead of time?

You can chop the apples, grapes, and kiwis a day in advance. Keep them in the fridge and add the raspberries, pomegranate, and dressing right before serving.

How do I keep the apples from turning brown?

The citrus in the orange juice dressing helps slow down browning. You can also toss the diced apples in a teaspoon of lemon juice if you are prepping them early.

Can I use frozen fruit?

Fresh fruit is recommended for this salad. Frozen fruit will become mushy and release too much water as it thaws.

Christmas Fruit Salad

A fresh mix of green apples, grapes, kiwis, raspberries, and pomegranate arils tossed in a light honey and orange juice dressing.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Servings 5 servings

Ingredients

  

• 1 tablespoon honey 15 ml
• 2 tablespoons orange juice 30 ml
• 1 tablespoon water 15 ml
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon 0.5 g
• 2 Granny Smith apples cored and diced, about 400 g
• 2 cups mixed green and red grapes halved, 300 g
• 4 kiwis peeled and diced, about 300 g
• 1 cup fresh raspberries 125 g
• 1/2 cup pomegranate arils 85 g
• 1/2 cup mandarin oranges or tangerines peeled and segmented, 110 g

Instructions

 

• In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, orange juice, water, and ground cinnamon until smooth.
• Place the diced apples, halved grapes, and diced kiwis in a large serving bowl.
• Add the raspberries, pomegranate arils, and mandarin oranges to the bowl.
• Pour the honey and orange juice dressing over the mixed fruit.
• Gently toss the salad until all the fruit is evenly coated with the dressing.
• Serve immediately or cover and chill in the refrigerator until ready to eat.

Notes

Wait to add the dressing until just before serving to keep the fruit firm.

To prevent the apples from browning if making ahead, toss them in a little lemon juice before mixing with the other fruit.

Use a gentle hand when tossing the salad so the raspberries do not break apart.

Keyword christmas fruit salad, fruit salad, holiday salad, no-bake, side dish