This honey lime fruit salad is my go-to fruit salad for everything from entertaining to weeknight side dish (or afternoon snack!). It’s so easy with just enough flair to make it extra-special.

When I originally posted this recipe way back in 2010, I gave tribute to my cousin, Ryan, who is at least a decade and a half younger than me, but smart and patient enough to always try and teach me the finer arts of navigating texting and social media faster and more gracefully.

Of course, in 2010, it was all about the flip phone and Ryan was trying to teach me how to text one-handed behind my back. Uh. Right.

A glass bowl full of chopped fruit with lime zest sprinkled over the top and dressing being poured on the fruit.

I never caught on. Good thing smart phones were introduced because I don’t think I ever sent a real, live text message until a few years ago when I gave up my flip phone.

I’m not exactly a trend-setter, as you can tell.

Anyway, moving beyond texting, this very favorite honey lime fruit salad recipe came from Ryan, and I’ll be forever grateful he gave the recipe to me (through his mom, Aunt Marilyn, not via a text, incidentally).

Top view of a fruit salad with lime zest and dressing in a glass bowl.

You may be in that camp of people who insist you don’t need a recipe for fruit salad.

If that is the case, then pretend this isn’t a recipe and make it anyway, because it is seriously amazing. For such a simple recipe, it has been a family favorite for years and is definitely my go-to fruit salad side dish.

The fresh lime zest and touch of honey take this from everyday to extraordinary.

I’ve listed the poppy seeds as optional, but I happen to love the flair and tiny bit of crunch they give the salad. You choose, though. No hard feelings if you leave them out.

Top view of a fruit salad in a glass bowl.

This fruit salad is delicious and pretty. And it’s also versatile. I’ve listed my favorite fruits to use in the recipe below, but obviously the food police aren’t going to show up at your door if you sub in something more seasonal or fresh.

Go crazy.

I will say that I always shed a little tear if I’m unable to find ripe kiwi (I think it’s my favorite part of the salad), but it doesn’t stop me from making this recipe.

And as a sidenote, have you tried golden kiwi before? It’s kind of new in my life (thank you, Costco) and it is crazy delicious! Sweet and more flavorful, I do believe, than it’s green counterpart. You can see from the pictures it has a yellow hue similar to the pineapple.

If you haven’t made this honey lime fruit salad before, I think now is the time!

Glass bowl with strawberries, pineapple, kiwi, blueberries, and grapes sprinkled with lime zest.
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Honey Lime Fruit Salad

4.76 stars (73 ratings)

Ingredients

  • 1 (20-ounce) can pineapple chunks, drained well, or about 1 1/2 to 2 cups chopped fresh pineapple
  • 1 (15-ounce) can mandarin oranges, drained well
  • 2 to 3 ripe kiwi fruit, peeled and chopped into bite-size pieces
  • 1 cup green grapes, halved
  • 1 cup strawberries, quartered
  • Zest from one lime, about 1/2 tablespoon
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons honey
  • ½ to 1 teaspoon poppy seeds, optional

Instructions 

  • Combine the fruit in a serving bowl. Add the lime zest and toss.
  • Drizzle the honey over the fruit and gently mix until the fruit is evenly coated. Sprinkle the poppy seeds on top and toss to combine.
  • Serve immediately or within an hour.

Notes

Serving: this fruit salad is best served right away (or at least within an hour of making) because the strawberries tend to stain the light colored fruit. It doesn’t affect the taste at all but is a slight bummer for presentation.
Serving: 1 Serving, Calories: 101kcal, Carbohydrates: 25g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 5mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 20g
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Recipe Source: adapted from my cousin Ryan S. (Aunt Marilyn’s son)

honey lime fruit salad in a white ramekin