Looking for a refreshing dish to beat the summer heat? This easy summer fruit salad with vegan dressing is the perfect choice. Full of vibrant colors and fresh summer fruit flavors, this salad is a delish way to enjoy everything good about the summer season. Made with a mix of juicy summer fruits and a zippy lemon-mint dressing, this fresh fruit salad is perfect for picnics, potlucks, or just a tasty snack at home.
You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple and Quick: This easy recipe requires minimal prep and no cooking time, making it an excellent option for days by the pool or hosting family gatherings.
- Versatile: You can mix and match your favorite fruits to create a salad that suits your tastes and the fruits you have on hand.
- Healthful: Packed with fiber and antioxidants, this fruit salad is a wholesome addition to any summer meal.
- Vegan-Friendly: The homemade dressing is dairy-free and uses vegan sweetener, making it suitable for vegans. It's also gluten-free and free from the top 9 allergens!
Ingredients and Substitutions
For the Salad
- Cantaloupe: A juicy, sweet base with plenty to go around. Substitute with honeydew melon or watermelon.
- Strawberries: Bright and flavorful. Raspberries work well too.
- Clementines: Lend some citrus tang. You could also try fresh or canned mandarin orange segments, or pineapple chunks.
- Green seedless grapes: Sweet and crunchy. Red grapes or fresh cherries can be used as alternatives.
- Blueberries: Small, super sweet bursts of flavor. Blackberries or sliced kiwis are also great options here.
For the Vegan Dressing
- Lemon juice: Adds a zesty kick. Lime juice or orange juice can be used for a slightly different citrus note.
- Lemon zest: Enhances the citrus flavor. Lime zest or orange zest can also be used.
- Fresh mint: Fresh and aromatic. Fresh basil can work here in some instances, such as if you are using more berries and stone fruits.
- Maple syrup: Natural sweetness. Feel free to use another liquid sweetener, such as agave or vegan honey, as a substitute.
Instructions
1. Prepare: Rinse and prepare all the fruit into bite-sized pieces: Remove the cantaloupe rind and cut into 1-2" pieces. Remove strawberry tops and halve or quarter them. Peel and separate the clementines into wedges. Optionally, slice the grapes in half. Add all prepared fruit to a large mixing bowl.
2. Combine: In a small bowl or jar, combine lemon juice, lemon zest, mint, and maple syrup.
3. Mix: Shake or stir until all ingredients are well combined.
4. Assemble: Drizzle the dressing over the fruit salad. Toss the salad gently to coat all the fruit pieces evenly.
5. Enjoy: Garnish with a few reserved mint leaves if desired. Serve immediately for the best flavor and texture.
Storage
- Make-Ahead: You can prepare the fruit and dressing a few hours in advance and store it in an airtight container in the fridge until ready to serve.
- Store: Leftover fruit salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 1-2 days. The dressing helps to keep the fruit fresh, but the salad is best enjoyed soon after preparation.
Variations
- Tropical Twist: Add fresh pineapple, mango, or kiwi for a homemade fruit salad with more tropical flavors.
- Creamy Dressing: Add some coconut cream to the lemon-mint dressing for a richer taste.
- Winter Version: Craving fruit salad another time of year? Use winter fruits like pomegranates, pears, and apples for a seasonal variation. These fruits will still pair well with my maple lemon mint fruit salad dressing.
Tips
- Use fresh-yet-firm fruits to ensure the best texture and flavor. Check which fruits are in season in or near your area to choose the best fruit for your salad.
- To avoid choking hazards for kiddos under four, quarter or halve the grapes and blueberries.
- Take a storebought fruit salad from just okay to super delicious by adding my fruit salad dressing.
- Eco Tip: compost the peels and trimmings of your fruits to reduce waste.
FAQ
I recommend against it, as it will become mushy.
Use a fine grater or a zester to remove only the yellow part of the lemon skin. Avoid the white pith underneath as it can be bitter.
Absolutely! Agave syrup, vegan honey, or even a bit of simple syrup can work well.
Yes, this fruit salad and the dressing are naturally gluten-free.
Recipe
Easy Summer Fruit Salad with Vegan Dressing
Ingredients
Salad (see note 1)
- 1 small-medium cantaloupe
- 1 pound strawberries
- 1 pound clementines (or any mandarin oranges, fresh or canned)
- 1 pound green seedless grapes
- 1 pint blueberries
Dressing
- ⅓-½ cup lemon juice (juice of about 2 medium lemons)
- 2 Tablespoons lemon zest (zest of about 2 medium lemons)
- ¼ cup fresh mint, chiffonade (thinly sliced) , few small leaves reserved for garnish
- ¼ cup maple syrup (or other liquid sweetener, such as agave, simple syrup, or vegan honey)
Equipment
Instructions
- Rinse and prepare all of the fruit into bite sized pieces: Remove canteloupe rind and cut into 1-2" pieces, Remove strawberry tops and halve or quarter, optionally slice grapes in half (see note 2). Peel and separate the clementines into wedges. Add all prepared fruit to a large mixing bowl.
- Add all dressing ingredients to a small jar or bowl.
- Add the lid to the jar. Shake or stir until all ingredients are well-combined.
- Drizzle the dressing over fruit salad, toss the salad until all fruit pieces are evenly coated.
- Optionally add a few reserved mint leaves for garnish, and serve.
- Store leftover fruit salad in the refrigerator for 1-2 days.
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