Winter Fruit Salad Recipe

Introduction

Winter Fruit Salad is a vibrant, refreshing dish packed with seasonal citrus and crisp fruits. It’s dressed with a honey-citrus poppy seed dressing that perfectly balances sweet and tart flavors. This salad is an easy way to brighten cold days with fresh, healthy ingredients.

Ingredients

• 2 cups clementine oranges (peeled and segmented, about 3–4)
• 2 pears (diced)
• 2 apples (Fuji or Honeycrisp, thinly sliced)
• 5 kiwis (peeled and diced)
• 3/4 cup pomegranate arils
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1 large lemon
• 1 large orange
• 1 teaspoon poppy seeds
• Chopped fresh mint (optional)

Instructions

1. Step 1: If possible, refrigerate all the fruit beforehand so the salad will be cold and refreshing when served.
2. Step 2: Zest and juice the lemon to get 1 teaspoon zest and 2 tablespoons juice. Zest and juice the orange to get 1 teaspoon zest and 2 tablespoons juice.
3. Step 3: In a jar, combine honey, lemon zest and juice, orange zest and juice, and poppy seeds. Shake well to mix.
4. Step 4: In a large bowl or platter, combine clementine segments, diced pears, sliced apples, and diced kiwis.
5. Step 5: Pour the dressing over the fruit, using just enough to coat. Gently toss to combine all ingredients.
6. Step 6: Sprinkle pomegranate arils and, if desired, chopped fresh mint on top.
7. Step 7: Serve immediately. This salad is best enjoyed within 1–3 hours as leftovers do not store well.

Tips & Variations

• Chilling the fruit in advance ensures a refreshing salad that brightens winter days.
• Swap pomegranate arils for fresh blueberries or chopped nuts for crunch.
• Use Meyer lemons or blood oranges for a sweeter citrus twist.
• If poppy seeds are unavailable, try chia seeds for a similar texture.

Storage

This salad is best enjoyed fresh and does not store well due to the delicate fruit textures and dressing. If you need to prepare ahead, keep fruits and dressing separate in airtight containers, then combine just before serving within a few hours.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use other fruits in this salad?

Absolutely! You can add or substitute seasonal fruits like grapefruit, persimmons, or pomegranate seeds depending on availability and preference.

How long can I keep leftovers?

Leftovers are not recommended because the fruit will release juice and become soggy, typically within a few hours. It’s best to enjoy the salad fresh.

Winter Fruit Salad Recipe

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4.7 from 119 reviews

A refreshing and vibrant Winter Fruit Salad featuring a mix of clementine oranges, pears, apples, kiwis, and pomegranate arils, tossed in a zesty honey-lemon and orange dressing with a hint of poppy seeds and optional fresh mint. Perfectly chilled, this salad offers a burst of seasonal flavors and textures, ideal as a healthy snack or side dish during the colder months.

• Author: lucas
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Salad
• Method: No-Cook
• Cuisine: International
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Fruits

• 2 cups clementine oranges, peeled and segmented (about 3–4 oranges)
• 2 pears, diced
• 2 apples (Fuji or Honeycrisp), thinly sliced
• 5 kiwis, peeled and diced
• 3/4 cup pomegranate arils

Dressing

• 1/4 cup honey
• 1 large lemon (zest and juice)
• 1 large orange (zest and juice)
• 1 teaspoon poppy seeds
• Chopped fresh mint (optional)

Instructions

1. Chill Fruit: Refrigerate all the fruit beforehand if you have time to ensure the salad is cold and refreshing when served.
2. Make Dressing: Zest and juice the lemon to obtain 1 teaspoon of zest and 2 tablespoons of juice. Zest and juice the orange to get 1 teaspoon of zest and 2 tablespoons of juice as well. In a jar, combine the honey, lemon zest, lemon juice, orange zest, orange juice, and poppy seeds. Shake well to thoroughly mix the dressing ingredients.
3. Prepare Fruits: In a large bowl or platter, combine the clementine segments, diced pears, sliced apples, and diced kiwis. Pour on the dressing, using just enough to coat the fruit evenly (you may not need the entire dressing). Gently toss the fruit until all pieces are coated with the dressing.
4. Serve and Garnish: Sprinkle the pomegranate arils over the top of the dressed fruit. Add chopped fresh mint if desired for an aromatic touch. Serve the salad immediately as it tastes best within 1–3 hours and does not store well as leftovers.

Notes

• Refrigerating the fruit prior to preparation enhances the salad’s refreshing quality.
• Use fresh, ripe seasonal fruits for the best flavor and texture.
• Pomegranate arils add a pleasant burst of tartness and crunch but can be omitted or substituted with other berries if unavailable.
• The salad is best consumed fresh within a few hours; avoid making it far in advance to prevent sogginess.
• Optional fresh mint adds an extra layer of freshness but can be left out if preferred.

Keywords: Winter fruit salad, clementine salad, fresh fruit salad, healthy salad, citrus dressing, honey dressing, seasonal fruit