Thanksgiving Fruit Salad Recipe
If you’re looking to add a burst of vibrant color, crisp textures, and festive flavors to your holiday table, the Thanksgiving Fruit Salad Recipe is your new secret weapon. This delightful salad perfectly balances the natural sweetness of fresh fruit with the warm, comforting notes of pumpkin pie spice, creating a refreshing contrast that everyone will love. It’s quick to assemble, visually stunning, and brings that special seasonal touch that makes Thanksgiving gatherings even more memorable.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this Thanksgiving Fruit Salad Recipe is carefully chosen to provide a vibrant color palette, complementary textures, and a medley of flavors that scream fall. From juicy fruits to crunchy nuts and aromatic spices, each element plays a crucial role in delivering a perfectly balanced dish.
- Fresh orange juice: Adds a bright, citrusy base that keeps the salad light and zesty.
- Honey: Offers a natural sweetness that enhances the fruit without overwhelming it.
- Pumpkin pie spice: Infuses warmth and nostalgic autumn flavor, tying the salad to the holiday spirit.
- Kiwi: Provides a tangy bite and stunning green color that livens up the mix.
- D’anjou or Bartlett pear: Brings soft juiciness and gentle sweetness with a lovely texture.
- Honeycrisp or Gala apple: Adds crispness and a fresh, mildly sweet crunch.
- Mandarin oranges: Bursts of citrusy sweetness with a tender texture, perfectly drenched in their own juices.
- Red grapes: Offer juicy pop and beautiful color contrast with their deep red hue.
- Dried cranberries: Sprinkle a tart chewiness that complements the fresh fruit excellently.
- Pecan halves: Introduce a satisfying crunch and slight buttery flavor for texture balance.
- Pomegranate arils: Tiny ruby jewels that add pop and festive flair, plus a little tart zing.
How to Make Thanksgiving Fruit Salad Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Dressing
Start by whisking together fresh orange juice, honey, and pumpkin pie spice in a large bowl. This combination forms a deliciously simple dressing that coats all the fruit with a warm, autumnal sweetness and tang. It’s amazing how such a quick blend of just three ingredients can elevate the entire salad.
Step 2: Add the Fruit and Nuts
Next, gently fold in thinly sliced kiwi, chopped pears and apples, drained mandarin oranges, halved red grapes, dried cranberries, pecan halves, and pomegranate arils. Taking care to toss gently ensures that the fruit remains intact and the dressing evenly distributes. This step is where the salad truly comes to life with its kaleidoscope of textures and colors.
Step 3: Serve Immediately
Once everything is combined, transfer your Thanksgiving Fruit Salad Recipe to a beautiful serving dish and bring it straight to the table. Freshness is key here — serving it immediately keeps the fruit vibrant, crisp, and the dressing perfectly fresh.
How to Serve Thanksgiving Fruit Salad Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkle a few extra pomegranate arils or pecan halves on top right before serving to add a little sparkle and extra crunch. You can also add a few fresh mint leaves for a pop of green and refreshing aroma that complements the fruit beautifully.
Side Dishes
This fruit salad is a perfect companion to heartier Thanksgiving staples like roast turkey, stuffing, or mashed potatoes. The crispness and natural sweetness lighten the palate, balancing savory richness and making every bite feel fresh and exciting.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, try serving the salad in hollowed-out mini pumpkins or gourds for an eye-catching centerpiece. Layering the fruit salad in clear glass trifle bowls also showcases its colorful layers, turning this simple dish into an edible work of art.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Thanksgiving Fruit Salad Recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Since the fruit tends to release juices, expect it to soften slightly after a day, but it will still be delicious for up to two days if kept chilled and covered.
Freezing
Freezing this fruit salad isn’t recommended because the fresh fruits will lose their texture and become mushy when thawed. It’s best enjoyed fresh or within a few days of preparation.
Reheating
This salad is meant to be served cold or at room temperature, so reheating isn’t necessary. If it has been refrigerated, just allow it to sit out a few minutes before serving for the best flavor and texture.
FAQs
Can I substitute any fruits in the Thanksgiving Fruit Salad Recipe?
Absolutely! You can swap out fruits based on what’s fresh or preferred. Try adding blueberries, strawberries, or even sliced bananas for a personal touch while still keeping the essence of the salad’s sweet and tart balance.
Is this salad suitable for people with nut allergies?
If you’re serving guests with nut allergies, simply omit the pecan halves or replace them with pumpkin seeds for crunch without concern. The salad’s flavor and texture will still shine beautifully.
How far in advance can I prepare this salad?
For the freshest taste and texture, it’s best to prepare the Thanksgiving Fruit Salad Recipe just a few hours before serving. If necessary, you can prep the dressing and chop the fruit a day ahead and combine them shortly before serving.
Can I make this salad vegan?
Yes! The recipe is already vegan-friendly if you use a plant-based sweetener like maple syrup instead of honey. This swap keeps it sweet and fully plant-based.
What makes this Thanksgiving Fruit Salad Recipe special compared to regular fruit salads?
The addition of pumpkin pie spice and the selection of seasonal fruits along with crunchy pecans and tart dried cranberries give this salad that unmistakable Thanksgiving vibe. It captures the warmth and festive flavors of the season in every bite.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly magical about this Thanksgiving Fruit Salad Recipe that makes it feel like a celebration all on its own. It’s light, refreshing, and packed with seasonal goodness that brings a smile to your face with every forkful. Give it a try at your next holiday gathering—you just might find it becoming your new favorite tradition.
Print
Thanksgiving Fruit Salad Recipe
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A vibrant and refreshing Thanksgiving Fruit Salad combining a variety of fresh fruits with a spiced orange juice dressing, perfect for a light and colorful holiday side dish.
Ingredients
Dressing
- 1/2 cup fresh orange juice
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
Fruits & Nuts
- 2 kiwi (peeled, halved and thinly sliced)
- 1 D’anjou or Bartlett pear (cored and chopped)
- 1 Honeycrisp or Gala apple (cored and chopped)
- 1 can mandarin oranges in water (15 ounces, drained and patted dry)
- 1 1/2 cups red grapes (halved)
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup pecan halves
- 1/2 cup pomegranate arils
Instructions
- Prepare the Dressing: In a large bowl, whisk together the fresh orange juice, honey, and pumpkin pie spice until the ingredients are fully combined and the honey is dissolved to form a sweet and spiced dressing.
- Add the Fruits and Nuts: Gently add the kiwi slices, chopped pear, chopped apple, drained mandarin oranges, halved grapes, dried cranberries, pecan halves, and pomegranate arils to the dressing in the bowl.
- Toss to Combine: Gently toss all the ingredients together to ensure even coating of the dressing without bruising the delicate fruits.
- Serve Immediately: Transfer the fruit salad to a serving dish and serve right away to enjoy the fresh flavors and crisp textures.
Notes
- Use ripe but firm fruits to avoid mushy textures.
- Dressing can be prepared in advance and refrigerated, then toss with fruits just before serving.
- For added crunch, toast pecans lightly before adding.
- Substitute pumpkin pie spice with a mix of cinnamon and nutmeg if desired.
- Salad is best served fresh and not stored for long periods as fruits may release juices.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
