Thanksgiving Fruit Salad

This Thanksgiving Fruit Salad is such a refreshing dish that totally stands out from the usual heavy holiday foods. Apple, orange, grapes, pineapple, and banana are tossed in a honey lime dressing, which gives it this light, zesty flavor. Then, it’s topped with dried cranberries and chopped walnuts for a bit of sweetness and crunch.

As for why it’s a perfect side dish? It’s not too heavy and brings something a little different to the table. The cranberries add to the festive theme. It also makes a great holiday side dish because it pairs great with my Thanksgiving Chicken, Old Fashioned Cabbage Casserole, and Savory Sweet Potato Casserole.

Why You'll Love Thanksgiving Fruit Salad!

• Easy to make and very little prep!
• The honey lime dressing gives it the perfect finishing touch with it's sweet and tangy flavor.
• Easily swap out the fruit for something different.
• Plus, it’s easy to make ahead, so no last-minute stress.
• It’s like this perfect balance of bright, juicy, and refreshing without being too sweet.

Ingredient Notes

• Apple - one red delicous apple adds a crisp, sweet crunch to each bite. Most of the time, I like to keep the peel on for the extra color it adds to the salad.
• Grapes - use both red and green grapes for a juicy burst of flavor and a festive color contrast.
• Orange - one naval orange adds zesty citrus flavor.
• Pineapple chunks - I used canned pineapple chunks in pineapple juice because you'll use some of the pineapple juice for the dresing.
• Banana - you'll use one chopped banana for sweetness!
• Honey Lime Dressing - binds everything together and gives the salad a sweet citrus flavor.
• Toppings - dried cranberries and chopped walnuts add seasonal flavor and crunch!

Ingredient Substitutions and Additions

We love this fruit salad as is, but sometimes variations are needed. Here's a list of common ingredient substitutions that work well.

• Use a pear instead of the apple.
• Swap the pineapple with mandarin oranges.
• Add some pomegranate seeds.
• Add blueberries or kiwi.
• Use lemon juice instead of the lime juice.
• Swap the walnuts with pecans.
• Sprinkle some poppy seeds or fresh mint on top right before serving.

What Kind of Fruit to Use

The best fruits for a fruit salad are those that are ripe, firm, and naturally sweet. You want fruits that hold their shape and don't get too mushy when mixed together. You'll want a variety of fruits that have different textures and flavor profiles:

• Crispy
• Juicy
• Soft
• Citrus

Holiday Pairings

Here are some of my popular holiday dishes that would pair perfectly with this salad for your Thanksgiving dinner:

How to Make Thanksgiving Fruit Salad

(1) Place the apple, grapes, pineapple chunks, and orange segments in a bowl.

(2) Mix up the honey lime dressing and pour it into the bowl with the fruit.

(3) Add sliced banana and toss to combine. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

(4) Right before serving, add cranberries and walnuts!

Recipe Tips

• Pick out the freshest fruit with no bruises or soft spots.
• To make it ahead of time, simply keep it covered in the fridge until the next day. I would save the banana, cranberries, and walnuts as the last items to add right before serving.
• Love fruity side dishes? Then by all means try this Orange Jello Fluff Salad! Young and old will love this old-fashioned side dish; plus no-cook making things a little easier!

Storing and Reheating

Store the fruit salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The banana might get a little browned so you can choose to remove it if it's too brown or mushy for your liking.