Rainbow Fruit Salad with Honey Lime Dressing

Colorful and bursting with fresh flavors, our rainbow fruit salad with honey lime dressing recipe is packed with a variety of fruits and drizzled with a tangy dressing. This colorful dish can be served as a side or a healthy dessert.

As busy moms we’re always on the hunt for easy recipes to feed our families. Because who has hours to spend in the kitchen, right?! You’ll love this one because it’s versatile and you can throw it together quickly in about 20 minutes.

What makes this one of my go-to recipes is that it’s so easy to customize by swapping in your favorite seasonal fruits. Or switch up the toppings to add more texture. We’ve even included a few options to change up the flavor of the simple dressing. 

This delicious fruit salad is perfect for any occasion. It’s always a hit at brunches, holiday gatherings, family dinners, or a summer BBQ. And it’s easy to transport making it a great choice for potlucks (I always come home with an empty bowl!).

While we eat this tasty fruit medley year round, it’s especially refreshing during the hotter months of the year. The fruits will help keep you hydrated and also help to curb your sweet tooth cravings. 

For more easy fruit salads be sure to check out our fruit cocktail salad and acini de pepe fruit salad recipes.

Fruit Salad with Honey Lime Dressing Ingredients

• Fruit—use a combination of your favorite fruits like watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew melon, strawberries, pineapples, mandarin oranges, blackberries, raspberries, blueberries, kiwi, seedless grapes, and pomegranate arils. 
• Simple honey lime dressing: lime juice, lime zest and honey create a zesty dressing that perfectly complements the sweet fruit.  
• Optional garnish: fresh mint adds a crisp coolness and helps to balance the sweetness of the fruits.

How to Make Honey Lime Fruit Salad Recipe 

Start by prepping and washing all your fruit. Pat dry to remove any excess moisture.

Once cleaned you will dice up the fruit into bite-sized pieces. Add all the fruit to a large bowl. 

Next you’ll make the dressing by whisking together your lime juice, honey, and lime zest in a small bowl until combined. 

Pour the dressing over the fruit and stir lightly with a spoon until evenly coated. 

Once mixed and ready to serve, you can top with the fresh mint or other topping if you want to use a garnish. 

Tips for Making Rainbow Fruit Salad

• Use in-season fruit for the best flavor and freshness. Be sure to select fresh, firm fruits and avoid ones that are overly soft or past their prime. 
• Dicing up your fruit in uniform, bite-sized pieces will ensure you get a mix of fruits in each bite. 
• For the best flavor, I recommend using fresh lime juice over bottled juice for the dressing.
• Mixing the dressing in a separate bowl before adding to the fruit ensures it is thoroughly combined before pouring over the salad. 
• Toss the fruit well right before serving. The dressing will settle at the bottom of the bowl, so always give it a stir before dishing it up. 
• Chilling your salad for 30 minutes before you serve it up will allow the flavors to meld together. 

Recipe Substitutions & Variations

• Try adding stone fruits, such as peaches, cherries, and plums, for more texture and flavor.  
• Use agave or maple syrup in place of the honey. 
• Add a little vanilla extract to the dressing for warmth and a touch of sweetness. 
• Grate fresh ginger and mix it into the dressing for a little heat and spice. 
• Mix in a tablespoon of vanilla yogurt to make a creamy dressing.
• More garnish options: try toasted almonds for a bit of a crunch, coconut for a tropical touch or poppy seeds for a mild nutty flavor.

Can I make this dish ahead of time?

Yes! You can make this dish up to an hour ahead of time. It is important not make it too far in advance as the fruit breaks down as it sits in the fridge. If you need to make it earlier in the day store the chopped fruits in separate containers until you’re ready to mix up the salad.

The dressing can be made 1-2 days ahead of time and stored in the fridge. Drizzle it over the salad and mix it in when you’re read to serve. 

How to Store Leftover Fruit Salad

This salad is best eaten the day it’s made but will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in an airtight container. The fruit starts to break down and can get a little mushy the longer it’s stored. Be sure to toss the salad before serving to redistribute the dressing.

If you’re looking for a quick, flavorful, healthy dish, this easy recipe is sure to become your new go-to fruit salad recipe. And it’s easy to make it your own by experimenting with different fruits and toppings. So what are you waiting for? Make a batch today!