Description
A simple and customizable fruit salad recipe featuring a secret ingredient—chia seeds—that keeps the salad juicy, fresh, and flavorful every time. Perfect for summer gatherings, snacks, or a refreshing breakfast side.
Ingredients
- Mixed Fresh Fruit (about 6 cups / 900g total) – berries (strawberries, blueberries), stone fruits (peaches, nectarines), tropical fruits (pineapple, mango)
- Fresh Lime Juice (2 tablespoons / 30ml)
- Honey (1 tablespoon / 15ml) – can substitute maple syrup
- Fresh Mint Leaves (a small handful, chopped) – optional
- Chia Seeds (1 tablespoon / 12g)
- Vanilla Extract (1 teaspoon / 5ml)
- Salt (a pinch)
Instructions
- Wash all your fruit thoroughly. Chop larger pieces like peaches, mango, and pineapple into bite-sized chunks (about 1-inch pieces). Keep berries whole unless they are large; then halve or quarter them.
- In a small bowl, whisk together fresh lime juice, honey, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt to make the dressing.
- Pour the dressing over the chopped fruit in a large mixing bowl. Add chia seeds and gently fold everything together with a spatula or large spoon.
- If using fresh mint, sprinkle it in now and fold gently again. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- Give the salad a gentle stir before serving. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Notes
Do not overmix to avoid mushy fruit. Use ripe but not overripe fruit for best texture. Chilling for at least 30 minutes is crucial for flavor melding and chia seeds to absorb juices. Fresh lime juice is preferred over bottled. Mint is optional but recommended for brightness. Adjust honey to taste depending on fruit sweetness.
- Prep Time: 13 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1 cup per serv
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 20
- Sodium: 15
- Fat: 2
- Carbohydrates: 28
- Fiber: 5
- Protein: 2
Keywords: fruit salad, chia seeds, fresh fruit, summer recipe, easy fruit salad, healthy dessert, juicy fruit salad, lime dressing