Fall Fruit Salad

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Fall Fruit Salad is a vibrant, healthy, and easy-to-make dish that perfectly complements your Thanksgiving and Christmas meals. The combination of seasonal fruits, such as apples, grapes, and oranges, makes it an ideal choice for adding a refreshing, nutritious side to your festive spread. This Fall Fruit Salad is more than just a colorful dish—it’s a delightful way to celebrate the harvest season with fresh flavors. Whether you’re serving it as a side dish or a light dessert, it’s sure to impress your guests. Best of all, it’s quick to prepare, making it a great option for busy home cooks during the holiday season.

Hand pouring golden dressing over a vibrant fruit salad with apples, grapes, orange slices, cranberries, and pecans in a glass bowl.

What is Fall Fruit Salad?

A Fall Fruit Salad combines a variety of seasonal fruits, including crisp apples, juicy grapes, and tangy oranges, to create a delicious medley of flavors. The addition of dried cranberries, toasted nuts, and a light, spiced dressing brings together sweet, tart, and nutty elements. The salad is dressed with a homemade mixture of orange juice, apple pie spice, and sugar, enhancing the flavors of the fruits while adding a touch of sweetness and warmth that reflects the cozy, autumn vibe. This dish is not only visually stunning but also a healthy and refreshing way to incorporate more fruits into your holiday meals. Whether you serve it as part of a Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner, this Fall Fruit Salad is versatile enough to enjoy throughout the season.

Why You’ll Love This Fall Fruit Salad Recipe

This Fall Fruit Salad is a standout recipe for several reasons. First, it’s a nutritious option that is rich in vitamins and fiber, making it a great addition to any healthy holiday spread. The salad is naturally sweet, and with ingredients like apples, oranges, and cranberries, it provides a refreshing contrast to heavier holiday dishes. The recipe is vegan, vegetarian, and dairy-free, making it suitable for a wide variety of dietary preferences.

Another great thing about this Fall Fruit Salad is how easy it is to prepare. With just a handful of ingredients and a few simple steps, you can have this salad ready in no time. It’s perfect for busy parents, home cooks, or anyone looking for a quick, delicious addition to their holiday meals. The balance of fresh fruits and spiced dressing makes it a crowd-pleaser, ideal for both casual gatherings and festive celebrations.

Ingredients

To make Fall Fruit Salad, you’ll need the following ingredients:

2 green apples, cored and chopped
2 red apples, cored and chopped
1 cup seedless red grapes, halved
1 navel orange, peeled and segmented
1 lemon, juiced
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup pecans, toasted
1/4 cup orange juice
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon orange zest
1/2 teaspoon apple pie spice

You can customize the recipe by substituting the nuts (try walnuts or almonds) or adding additional fruits like pears or pomegranates for a twist on this classic salad. You can also experiment with sweeteners like honey or maple syrup to adjust the sweetness to your liking.

Instructions

Prepare the fruits

Wash and peel the apples. Core and chop them into bite-sized pieces. Halve the grapes, peel and segment the orange, and juice the lemon.

Toast the pecans

In a small pan, toast the pecans over medium heat for about 2-3 minutes, or until fragrant. Set aside to cool.

Combine the fruits

In a large mixing bowl, combine the apples, grapes, orange segments, dried cranberries, and toasted pecans.

Make the dressing

In a small saucepan, combine the orange juice, sugar, orange zest, and apple pie spice. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and stir until the sugar has dissolved. Let the mixture simmer for a few more minutes until slightly thickened, then remove from heat and allow it to cool.

Dress the salad

Once the dressing has cooled, pour it over the fruit mixture and toss gently to coat.

Serve

Serve immediately, or refrigerate for up to an hour before serving. This salad can also be made a few hours in advance if desired.

Make-Ahead Tips

One of the best features of this Fall Fruit Salad is how easy it is to make ahead of time. To prepare in advance, simply follow the recipe as written, but store the dressing separately in an airtight container. You can refrigerate the fruit salad without the dressing for up to 2-3 hours before serving to prevent the fruits from becoming soggy. When ready to serve, pour the dressing over the fruit and toss gently.

The dressing can be prepared up to 3 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator. This way, you can easily prepare the salad in stages and save time on the day of your holiday gathering.

Autumn Fruit Salad Recipe Tips

For a personalized twist on this Fall Fruit Salad, try these variations and tips:

Additional fruits: Add other seasonal fruits like pears, pomegranate seeds, or figs for extra texture and flavor.
Change up the nuts: If you don’t have pecans, try walnuts, almonds, or even cashews for a different flavor profile.
Sweeteners: Experiment with different sweeteners like honey, maple syrup, or agave to adjust the level of sweetness.
Spices: For a unique flavor, add a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or even cloves to the dressing for extra warmth.
Citrus: A splash of lemon or lime juice will add an extra layer of zesty freshness.

Feel free to adjust the recipe based on your personal taste or what’s available at the market.

How to Store

To store leftover Fall Fruit Salad, place it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It’s best consumed within 1-2 days for the freshest flavor and texture. Keep in mind that the apples may begin to brown after a day or two, but they will still taste great. If you’re making the salad ahead of time, store the dressing separately to ensure the fruits stay fresh.

FAQs

Can I use frozen fruit?

While fresh fruit is recommended for the best flavor and texture, you can use frozen fruit if necessary. Just be aware that the texture of some fruits may change once thawed, and they might release more moisture.

How can I make the salad sweeter?

If you prefer a sweeter fruit salad, you can increase the amount of sugar in the dressing or add a bit of honey, maple syrup, or stevia to taste.

Can I add yogurt or whipped cream?

For a creamy version of this Fall Fruit Salad, you can top it with a dollop of whipped cream or a spoonful of yogurt (Greek or regular) just before serving.

How do I prevent the apples from browning?

To keep the apples from browning, you can toss them with a bit of lemon juice right after cutting. The acid in the lemon helps slow down the oxidation process.

Link to related recipes such as peach-themed summer dessert.
Reference the With spicy-sweet skewers to pair with fruit saladarticle for readers interested in creating their own dressings.

Golden dressing being poured over a vibrant fall fruit salad with apples, cranberries, orange slices, and pecans in a glass bowl.

Hand pouring golden dressing over a fall fruit salad with apples, grapes, cranberries, orange slices, and pecans in a glass bowl.

Final thoughts

Fall Fruit Salad is a delightful, healthy, and easy-to-make dish that captures the essence of the autumn season. Its colorful, fresh fruits and light spiced dressing make it the perfect side dish for Thanksgiving and Christmas, or a refreshing addition to any meal. Whether you’re looking for a nutritious holiday side or a simple yet elegant dessert, this Fall Fruit Salad will surely be a hit at your next gathering. Try it out and share it with your loved ones during the festive season!

Fall Fruit Salad

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What is Fall Fruit Salad?

Why You’ll Love This Fall Fruit Salad Recipe

Ingredients