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Delicious Fruit Salad with Lemon Glaze Recipe

If you’re on the lookout for a vibrant, refreshing dish that’s as delightful to look at as it is to eat, you’ve come to the right place. This Delicious Fruit Salad with Lemon Glaze Recipe is one I absolutely love because it perfectly balances sweet, tart, and fresh flavors with a zingy lemon glaze that ties everything together beautifully. Whether you’re prepping for a summer picnic or need an easy, crowd-pleasing dessert, this salad will become your new go-to.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Freshness in Every Bite: The combination of tropical and berry fruits keeps it vibrant and juicy.
  • Easy Lemon Glaze: A simple glaze using apricot preserves and lemon juice adds a perfect tangy-sweet finish.
  • Crowd-Pleaser: My family goes crazy for this at gatherings – it’s always the first bowl to disappear!
  • Quick to Throw Together: Takes just about 30 minutes, making it a breeze even for last-minute plans.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The best part about this Delicious Fruit Salad with Lemon Glaze Recipe is how you can find these ingredients year-round, and how they all complement each other perfectly. The glaze ingredients enhance all those naturally sweet and tart fruits – it really wakes up the flavors!

Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl of glossy apricot preserves, a small white ceramic bowl of granulated sugar, a small white ceramic bowl with bright yellow lemon zest, a small white ceramic bowl of fresh lemon juice, a pile of freshly chopped golden pineapple chunks, a group of halved deep purple grapes, a group of halved vibrant green grapes, quartered ripe red strawberries with green tops removed, peeled and quartered bright green kiwi pieces, chunks of ripe orange mango flesh, a mound of plump blue blueberries, a handful of bright red raspberries, neatly drained mandarin orange segments arranged in a small white ceramic bowl, and a few sprigs of fresh green mint leaves, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Delicious Fruit Salad with Lemon Glaze, fruit salad recipes, refreshing summer desserts, easy fruit salad ideas, citrus fruit salad
  • Apricot preserves: This adds a lovely fruity sweetness and helps the glaze stick to the fruit.
  • Granulated sugar: To balance out the tartness and deepen the glaze flavor.
  • Lemon zest: Use a microplane grater here for that bright, fresh lemon aroma—it really makes a difference.
  • Lemon juice: Provides acidity that cuts through the sweetness nicely.
  • Pineapple: Chop it smaller than usual so it blends well with the other fruits.
  • Purple grapes and green grapes: Halved to release their juicy goodness.
  • Strawberries: Hull and quarter them for pleasant bite-sized pieces.
  • Kiwi: Peeled and quartered, but don’t cut too small or it’ll turn mushy.
  • Mangos: Chop carefully around the pit for the best chunks of sweetness.
  • Blueberries: Add these whole for a burst of color and flavor.
  • Raspberries (optional): They bring a subtle tartness that adds nice complexity.
  • Mandarin oranges: Drain well; these add a juicy citrus pop.
  • Fresh mint (optional): Leaves used as a garnish add freshness and color.
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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I like to tweak this Delicious Fruit Salad with Lemon Glaze Recipe depending on the season or who I’m serving it to. Feel free to make it your own — that’s part of the fun and keeps it fresh for repeat servings!

  • Use seasonal fruits: When I tried swapping mango for peaches in the summer, it was just as amazing and brought a different sweetness.
  • Make it dairy-free: This recipe is naturally dairy-free, so it’s perfect if you’re avoiding milk products.
  • Add a splash of liquor: For adult gatherings, I added a tablespoon of Grand Marnier into the glaze once—such a nice grown-up touch.
  • Go tropical: Try pineapple, papaya, and passionfruit instead of some berries if you want more island vibes.

How to Make Delicious Fruit Salad with Lemon Glaze Recipe

Step 1: Whip Up That Zesty Lemon Glaze

This step always sets the tone for the whole salad. In a large, pretty serving bowl, I combine the apricot preserves, sugar, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Using a microplane to zest the lemon is a small step but makes a big aromatic difference—trust me, I learned that the hard way! After mixing until smooth, your glaze should be shiny and slightly thick, ready to coat all those lovely fruits.

Step 2: Chop & Prep Your Fruit With Care

One thing I noticed when first making this salad: the size of your fruit pieces matters. The pineapple should be chopped smaller than usual so it blends with the other fruits instead of overpowering. Grapes get halved gently with a serrated knife to avoid crushing. Strawberries are hulled and quartered, which is the perfect size. Kiwi needs a gentle touch—peel carefully and quarter, but don’t mince tiny or it’ll lose its texture. Mangos can be tricky; slice close to the pit, score, then flip the skin inside out and slice away the diced fruit. This technique keeps it neat and juicy.

Step 3: Combine Everything Gently

Add the prepared pineapple, grapes, strawberries, kiwi, mangos, blueberries, and raspberries to the bowl with the glaze. Now here’s a tip I picked up: stir very gently so you don’t mash the berries but still get that glaze evenly coating every fruit piece. Finally, add the drained mandarin oranges and give a gentle last stir. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh mint if you like. The longer it sits, the less lively the flavors get, so try to enjoy it fresh.

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Pro Tips for Making Delicious Fruit Salad with Lemon Glaze Recipe

  • Use the freshest fruit you can find: I noticed fresher fruit keeps the salad juicy and vibrant for longer.
  • Don’t over-stir the salad: Gentle folding preserves the texture of delicate berries and prevents mushiness.
  • Prepare fruit close to serving time: I learned the hard way that cutting fruit too early can make it watery—wait to toss with the glaze until just before serving.
  • Drain mandarin oranges completely: Extra juice can make your salad runny, so draining well keeps the salad from becoming soggy.

How to Serve Delicious Fruit Salad with Lemon Glaze Recipe

Delicious Fruit Salad with Lemon Glaze Recipe - Serving

Garnishes

I love finishing this salad with a few fresh mint leaves not just for color but because the mint adds a refreshing contrast to the sweet fruit. Sometimes, I also sprinkle a little toasted coconut flakes on top for a tropical twist that’s always a hit.

Side Dishes

This fruit salad pairs beautifully with light, simple dishes like grilled chicken or fish. I often serve it alongside breakfast favorites like fluffy pancakes or yogurt parfaits too—it’s a bright, healthy compliment that everyone enjoys.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I like setting up a beautiful glass trifle bowl layered with the fruit salad and dollops of whipped cream or Greek yogurt in between. It looks stunning and tastes just as amazing—plus, the lemon glaze shines through those layers. Serving in individual mason jars with a sprig of mint makes for an easy, portable treat perfect for picnics or brunches.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

When I have leftovers, I keep the fruit salad covered tightly in the fridge. It’s best eaten within 24 hours because the fruits start to release water and lose their texture. To keep it fresh longer, I sometimes store glazed fruit and extra fruit separately and toss them together right before serving.

Freezing

This fruit salad doesn’t freeze well because many fresh fruits lose their texture once thawed. I usually avoid freezing, but if you’re desperate, freeze individual fruits like berries or mango pieces separately and assemble fresh salad when ready.

Reheating

Since this salad is best served cold and fresh, I don’t recommend reheating. If you want to warm it slightly, keep it brief and gentle—just a few seconds in the microwave—but I really think it’s best enjoyed chilled, straight from the fridge.

FAQs

  1. Can I make this Delicious Fruit Salad with Lemon Glaze Recipe ahead of time?

    You can definitely prep the fruit a few hours ahead, but it’s best to keep the glaze and fruit separate until just before serving to prevent sogginess. Mixing them close to serving time keeps the fruit fresh and flavorful.

  2. What is the purpose of the lemon glaze in this fruit salad?

    The lemon glaze brightens the salad with a sweet-tart zing and helps hold all the fruit pieces together with a light, glossy coating, making every bite flavorful and fresh.

  3. Can I substitute any fruits in the recipe?

    Absolutely! Feel free to swap in seasonal or favorite fruits like peaches, melons, or plums. Just keep an eye on sizes and texture to keep the salad balanced and juicy.

  4. How long does this fruit salad keep in the fridge?

    I recommend eating it within 24 hours for the best texture and flavor. After that, the fruit starts to break down and gets watery.

Final Thoughts

This Delicious Fruit Salad with Lemon Glaze Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen because of how simple it is to whip together and how universally loved it is by everyone around me. I hope you give it a try soon and experience that perfect harmony of fresh fruit with a zesty lemon glaze—it’s like sunshine in a bowl. Remember, the key is fresh ingredients and gentle handling. Trust me, once you make this, it’ll be the recipe you reach for any time you need a fresh, flavorful, and fuss-free dish to brighten your day or your gathering.

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Delicious Fruit Salad with Lemon Glaze Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 138 reviews
  • Author: Villerius
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 10 servings
  • Category: Salad
  • Method: No-Cook
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

This vibrant and refreshing fruit salad blends a variety of fresh fruits with a sweet lemon glaze to create the very best fruit salad. Featuring pineapple, grapes, strawberries, kiwi, mango, blueberries, raspberries, and mandarin oranges, this colorful dish is perfect for a light dessert or a healthy snack. The apricot preserves-based glaze enhances the fruit’s natural sweetness while adding a tangy brightness with lemon zest and juice.


Ingredients

Glaze

  • 1/3 cup apricot preserves
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice

Fruit

  • 1 pineapple, chopped smaller than usual
  • 2 cups purple grapes, halved
  • 2 cups green grapes, halved
  • 1 pound strawberries, hulled and quartered
  • 5 kiwi, peeled and quartered
  • 2 large mangos (or 4 small mangos), chopped
  • 10 ounces blueberries
  • 6 ounces raspberries (optional)
  • 2 (11-ounce) cans mandarin oranges, drained

Garnish

  • Fresh mint, to garnish (optional)


Instructions

  1. Prepare the glaze: In a large serving bowl, combine 1/3 cup apricot preserves, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon lemon zest, and 2 tablespoons lemon juice. Use a microplane grater to zest the lemon for maximum flavor. Stir the mixture thoroughly until well incorporated to create a sweet and tangy glaze.
  2. Chop the pineapple: Cut the pineapple into smaller pieces than usual to ensure balanced bite-sized fruit. Add these pieces directly to the bowl with the glaze.
  3. Prepare the grapes: Using a serrated knife, halve about 2 cups each of purple and green grapes. Add them to the bowl with the pineapple and glaze.
  4. Prepare the strawberries: Hull 1 pound of strawberries and slice each into quarters. Add the strawberries to the bowl.
  5. Peel and chop the kiwi: Cut off the ends of each kiwi, then peel the skin with a peeler or paring knife. Slice each kiwi in half, then again in half to create quarters. Optionally chop each quarter once more, taking care not to over-chop to prevent disintegration. Add the kiwi pieces to the bowl.
  6. Chop the mangos: Stand each mango upright and slice down close to the pit on both sides to create two large halves. Score the flesh in a crisscross pattern without cutting through the peel, then invert the mango half to pop the cubes out. Slice off the cubes from the peel with a knife. Add the mango pieces to the bowl.
  7. Add berries: Gently add 10 ounces of blueberries and 6 ounces of raspberries (optional) to the bowl. Stir very gently to combine, preserving the shape of delicate berries.
  8. Add mandarin oranges: Drain 2 cans (11 ounces each) of mandarin oranges completely and incorporate them into the fruit mixture. Gently stir once more to mix all ingredients without crushing the fruit.
  9. Garnish and serve: Serve the fruit salad immediately for the freshest flavor. Garnish with fresh mint if desired. For leftovers, cover and refrigerate promptly, consuming them as soon as possible to maintain taste and texture.

Notes

  • Serve the fruit salad immediately for optimal flavor; the longer it sits, the less vibrant the taste.
  • To make ahead, prepare all fruit separately in a serving bowl and store chilled. Keep glaze ingredients mixed and refrigerated separately, then combine just before serving to prevent sogginess.
  • Use a microplane grater for lemon zest to achieve fine, flavorful zest without bitterness.
  • Handle berries gently to maintain their shape and prevent bruising.
  • Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator and consume quickly for the best experience.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cup
  • Calories: 110
  • Sugar: 20g
  • Sodium: 5mg
  • Fat: 0.3g
  • Saturated Fat: 0g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 0.2g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 28g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 1g
  • Cholesterol: 0mg

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