Honey Lime Fruit Salad
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.
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).
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.
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!
Honey Lime Fruit Salad
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
Recommended Products
Recipe Source: adapted from my cousin Ryan S. (Aunt Marilyn’s son)
92 Comments on “Honey Lime Fruit Salad”
Family favorite! Always makes for a great side.
This recipe really takes fruit salad to the next level! I can’t believe it took me so long to make it like this! The lime zest stands out way more than I expected (in a good way). Now I don’t think I can ever have plain fruit salad again.
This is my go to side dish for bbqs. I have one notoriously picky eater, and sometimes it’s the only thing he would eat. It’s simple but amazing, it’s the dish that always runs out first!
I initially serving it with poppyseeds, but no kids would eat it. So now I leave them out
I just made this two days ago for the first time… and then I made a big batch again today! So, yeah… we like it A LOT. I’ve never really enjoyed a fruit salad with a dressing, but this dressing is a real complement to the fruit rather than being overwhelming. It’s definitely finding a permanent place in my recipe binder.
Oh my, this was so good!! I made it for Easter and my husband and I had leftovers for lunch today. I told him I had forgotten to pack a fork, but had a spoon with me. He said he would have just dumped the bowl into his mouth if he didn’t have utensils! 🙂 I think it was even better today. Definitely a keeper for this summer.
This has been a go-to for us for years. We have used blueberries in lieu of grapes when they were on season and growing in the front yard. It’s very flexible and forgiving. And I am a hot mess in the kitchen. Leftovers are great in a smoothie.
Thanks Mel! Your site is my #1 go-to if I need ideas. We recently started meatball Mondays and have loved what you have had to offer to keep Mondays diverse.
Thanks for your hard work and dedication.
Thank you so much, Vanessa!!
I’m new to this site. Having read so many of your recipes and the glowing comments , I can’t wait to start cooking.
This a quick, easy, delicious and lovely fruit salad! The lime zest & honey set it off perfectly. I’ve made it many times to the delight of my guests and family.
This is sooo good!
Poppy seeds give a false positive if you do random drug testing at work! Leave them out and use nuts or sprinkle your favorite granola (just a little ) on top of the fruit !
Elaine Benes, is that you??
I’ve seen this recipe referred to over the years I’ve been following this amazing blog. But I never read the recipe. Until this week when I was asked to “bring fruit” to family Easter dinner. I immediately knew I had to make this, no matter what, since I’ve read its praises in other posts. It did not disappoint. I made enough for 14 using honeydew, kiwi, strawberries, blueberries and red grapes for the fruit. Everyone raved over it! What an amazingly delicious masterpiece! So simple, but out of this world taste-wise. Another Mel recipe winner!!
Thank you, Mel. You take my natural enjoyment of cooking to a whole new level with your outstanding recipes.
Thank you, Jennie!!
Mel, I love this salad and I wanted to make it for a large (80 people) dinner. How many does the original recipe feed? Thanks
About 6 servings.
I made this for a baby shower tonight. I figured it would taste fine but I wasn’t prepared for how amazing it was! It’s so unassuming that it’s reallt surprising how delicious it is. It was the hit of the shower with everyone going back for more. Another great recipe!
I made this Christmas morning. Delicious! The honey lime dressing was light, not syrupy like some fruit salads. Thanks Mel!
This was so good. I’m pretty sure my 20 month old ate his weight in this stuff. I love how easy and simple it is! Perfect for using any kind of in-season fruit or whatever is in my pantry. Will definitely be making again and again!
Incredible recipe! We devoured this. Such a yummy salad!
I have kept this recipe in my “favorites” file since the first time I made it. No more yogurt-doused fruit salad in this house! I love the combination of honey and lime. I also love how some of this fruit is from cans- easier to have in the off season. I’m having 18 people in for a family reunion this weekend, and this salad will be on the table.
This simple fruit salad is one of my most requested contributions at potlucks and gatherings. There’s a little something for everyone in that pot o’ gold!
Sooo delicious, yet simple… Perfection!!
I have made a similar fruit salad for years, the only real difference is mine calls for Vanilla Yogurt. I typically just use a single serving Chiobani container. I seriously recommend you give it a try! My picky nephews gobble this down like it is candy!
I made this twice in the past week because it was such a hit with the kids and husband. Who knew that with the addition of lime zest and honey that fruit could taste even better?
I made this for dinner tonight and it was a hit! No one can walk by the bowl without picking out of it. Yum!
I am a new Mel’s fan and have yet to try a recipe that isn’t wonderful (and I’m trying 2-3 per week). This is no exception. FYI, I subbed mango for strawberries and it is delicious. No staining issues either. I made it two days ago and finished it today. Still looks pretty!
This is my family’s favorite fruit salad, I make it all the time! In fact, a couple of weeks ago, my cousin and I were hosting a “cousins weekend” for all of our cousins between our two homes. She was serving brunch on Saturday and I on Sunday, and we had to have a fairly lengthy discussion over which of us “got” to make this very fruit salad for everyone 😉
Made this salad for lunch Saturday. Just that hint of lime makes all the difference. Loved it. Will be having this again & again. Thanks!
That looks completely delicious, Mel did you know that there is now a red kiwi fruit. It has s very short season and we get it here in Australia from New Zealand about March. They are called Zespri and are have twice the amount of vitamin c than normal kiwi’s. They are sweeter and softer also. Have a wonderful day
Fi
Oh, wow! A red kiwi? That sounds delicious.
Thank you for formatting printable recipes pages that don’t print a bazillion photos. I love your blog. Your recipes are reliable and tasty. But the printable feature is an exciting bonus. I am one of those recipe nerds that print out the tried and true recipes and put them in page protectors and a binder. lol I could probably fill several binders with just YOUR recipes. lol Thanks again for all the effort you put into this and sharing them too. 😀
I’ve been making this for years! Such a delicious combination. and GOLDEN KIWIS? I’m going to Costco, stat!!
I’ve made this with peaches, blackberries and red grapes. Gorgeous and delicious.
I have used this recipe countless times since you first posted it. I’ve used all sorts of fruit combinations and it’s always delicious. In fact, I made it just last week with only grapes and strawberries. Thanks for reposting it.
I have a similar fruit salad recipe that is one of my favorites. I have been saving recipes from your blog for several days now; I am really impressed! It is so nice to find a great collection of recipes that have been tested, most of them are quick, and your instructions are perfect. Nice work, and thanks for providing this terrific collection for all of us who must cook if we want to eat 🙂 so we might as well cook something yummy.
I served this salad to a group of six. They all loved it. Two male guests (one a retired judge, the other a retired high-ranking naval officer) loved the dressing so much they tipped up the bowl and slurped up what had settled to the bottom! Best kind of compliment!
I made this tonight. So amazingly delicious. It made the fruit pop. Thanks, Mel.
A-mazing!!!! My fruit-hating son tried it (I bribed him with dessert to get him to try this) and he LOVED IT. Asked for seconds and for me to make some for his lunch the next day. He tried 5 different fruits that he swore he wouldn’t like and loved them all thanks to YOU!! Not to mention everyone else loved this too, we are addicted now. 🙂
So love this! Didn’t make it until this summer, but after making it once . . . I’m hooked and have made it repeatedly. I’ve found that it’s delicious with just about any fruit combination. With it being summer, I’m using a lot of fresh fruits and everywhere I take this salad I am praised. Thanks for another yummy and healthy recipe. I’m passing it along on my blog tomorrow (with my favorite combination of fresh fruits) . . . just had to share! Thanks!! You are the best!
Would this work with chia seeds instead of poppy seeds?
Janette – I’ve never used chia seeds but its worth a try!
This was awesome! My wife loved it even more than I did!
How many serving would you say this salad serves and how big of a serving? I’d like to make it for a RS dinner. Thanks
Hi Marie – if you served 1/2 cup servings of this, it will probably serve about 8.
Can syrup be used instead of honey?
Sophie – you’ll have to experiment. I don’t know what kind of syrup you mean and I’ve always used honey but I’m sure this could be varied with good results.
loved this salad!. i too did without the kiwi. I had fresh pineapple on hand to use. my husband almost made me leave out the lime zest but he was glad he didn’t stop me. kid & hubby approved makes it a keeper in my book! thank you!
Mel, I made this for my nephews birthday party and we all enjoyed it. I left the poppy seeds out though. My mom who doesn’t like honey in the slightest ate it, said she’d eat honey this way only.
I made this for Easter and loved it! I usually don’t use a recipe for fruit salad because I think fruit was fabulous on its own but this was a great change for a fancier occasion.
Made this again and listened to my previous comments and used the strawberries this time, they were perfect. I also made it the night before and really thought that added to the flavor. Love the combination of fruits, thanks Mel!
My cousin brought this to a family reunion, and it was a hit! One bite and I knew it had to be the same fruit salad I’d had bookmarked for ages. Sure enough, I asked her where she got the recipe and she said Mel’s Kitchen Cafe! After raving about your recipes and swapping our favorites to look up later, we got back to eating this fantastic fruit salad 🙂 I love that the dressing is subtle, but full of flavor. It didn’t take away from the flavor of the fruit at all. I will definitely be making this one again!
I think that every time I make a fruit salad now, I will be adding a touch of honey and some lime zest. It just brings the fruit salad to a whole new level of delicious!! Another winner from Mel’s Kitchen Cafe!!
Made this for 4th of July and again the following weekend. The addition of the lime zest is incredibly delish! Mel, you have officially become my one shop stop for mouth watering recipes. Thank u, thank u, thank u from my tummy to yours!
I thought I didn’t need a recipe for fruit salad. Boy was I wrong. The lime zest is a brilliant addition!
I made this for a potluck today at church and it was fantastic!
Thanks for the recipe. We made it for Easter, and it was lovely.
Just got done making and eating this for Easter dinner. It was FANTASTIC! My store was out of kiwi and I forgot to pick up the mandarin oranges, so all I put in it was fresh pineapple, strawberries, and grapes. Both my sister and mom commented that they are definitely going to be making this recipe, too. Now I’m off to find a recipe that uses lime juice to use up the lime!
I love this salad and have made it many times and everyone always loves it…well, except a few kids who were a little freaked out by the poppy seeds. I don’t add kiwi because I don’t like it and wouldn’t know how to pick a ripe one anyway. But, I wanted to mention too that a few times, I haven’t had strawberries on hand, so I’ve used apples instead. Weird, I know, but still good. They don’t turn brown because of the pineapple juice I think, and we still love it!
I changed this recipe a bit and used raspberries in place of the strawberries but I think I would have liked the strawberries better. I also think it could have benefitted from sitting for awhile before eating so the flavors could meld. But, it was a nice sweet and fruity accompaniment to a savory meal. Thanks!
This was so tasty! I usually don’t like fruit salad but tried this with Thanksgiving dinner and it was a big hit. Both my 1 and 3 year old inhaled it which is always a bonus. The honey lime dressing is so simple and would be yummy on almost any fruit combination. This is a great potluck dish. Also, the leftovers don’t look pretty but they still taste great. I’m eating 3 day old leftovers as I type this and am enjoying every bite.
I have made your yummy fruit salad at least a dozen times. Every time I have served it to guests I get asked for the recipe. This is the best fruit salad ever!!
I made this yesterday for an Easter dinner with friends. It was great! The lime zest and honey made it special. Thanks for sharing.
OH MY…another winner! I just had to comment and let you know that this is by far the best fruit salad I’ve EVER had, hands down…simply no comparison! I also love how simple it is to throw together! Since my first sampling of it (and the portion was much bigger than a sample size) one week ago, I crave it constantly and have made it almost every day this past week! Thank you so much Mel for another keeper!!! I get excited with each new recipe that you post because I know you’ll never let me down! THANK YOU!!!
This is my favorite way to serve fresh fruit in the summer. But instead of poppy seeds, I add finely diced, fresh mint. It is AMAZING! You should try it with the mint!
What a lovely tropical fruit salad! It makes me want to be in summer
Hey, we are going to make a fruit pizza, and mix the poppy seeds, lime zest, and honey into the cream cheese, and put it all on top of a giant snickerdoodle cookie. Dessert heaven. Thanks for the inspiration!
Loralee – what a great idea!! Sounds so delicious.
Excellent excellent. Had this with mashed potatoes and your Honey Roasted Chicken tonight. This was SO good. The lime and honey addition is what I have been missing my whole fruit-salad-making life and didn’t know it. I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to go back to just a bunch of fruit thrown together without the lime and honey. Yay for another winner!
Julianne – thanks for weighing in. Please plan on making this for me in MT. And the chicken, too. I’ll put my feet up and watch the kids and you can cook. Deal?
My family loved this salad. I think I would like it better with fresh pineapple, since the canned ends up making the salad soggy in a hurry. Unfortunately I read the part about not preparing more than an hour before you serve it after I had prepared the salad at around 2 for a 7 o’clock dinner. Next time I will read all the instructions before I start. LOL! The flavors of the lime zest and honey give the salad such a tasty kick! Thanks for posting this one. It’s a new fave! 🙂
Amy – I agree with you – I think fresh pineapple would make this salad even better. Thanks for checking in with your review!
WoW!! Looks so scrumptious!! I am going to a cookout this weekend…think I’ll be bringing this as my dish to pass!!
Made this on Saturday for the Kentucky Derby party and it was so yummy. I loved the hint of lime and honey. It is not overpowering at all but adds so much to the fruit. Thanks for sharing.
Janeil – I am thrilled you liked the subtle goodness of this salad. Thanks for letting me know!
I need a recipe for everything. This looks so fresh and yummy…thanks Ryan!
the poppy seeds combined with the kiwi seeds would definitely satisfy my need for crunch. great salad, melanie!
This sounds like a wonderful breakfast!
I love fruit salad and this one looks divine. I will definitely be trying it this week.
My Mom found this recipe years ago (like 30)! It is the best. It really perks up fruit that is not as flavorful as you would like it to be.
I was just asked to bring fruit salad to a Mother’s Day brunch, this will be a hit! Looks so good!
All of your recipes I opened today (you’ve been busy!) look so tasty! I could live off fruit, I’m sure I won’t have to worry about this not keeping well because I’ll eat it all in one sitting!
I’m one of those people who says that you don’t need a recipe for fruit salad…but this sounds wonderful. Honey and lime? Yum! As soon as I get some more fruit, I’m making this. 🙂
I love the simplicity of this. Nothing better on a spring or summer day than a bowl of freshfruit! Looks awesome.
This fruit salad is so gorgeous and looks delicious!
I have to tell you that last night I made your sweet and sour chicken recipe from Tasty Kitchen. Ohmigosh was it fantastic!! My hubby thought it was one of the best meals he has ever had! Thanks! 🙂
Thanks, Jessica! Glad your husband went nuts for the sweet and sour – my husband has a similar reaction every time.
Ooooohh Yummy! This might just have to grace our table (sometimes) instead of the baby spinach, mandrin orange, strawberry salad that I make MANY times during the summer months! Thanks for sharing.
Yum! I usually just use bananas mashed with honey or cover the berries in sugar and use that juice, but this looks Way better! Does it keep well in the fridge or should I add the dressing only just before serving?
Mandy – I would add the lime and honey right before serving – this isn’t one of those salads that keep terribly well, sadly.
I sampled a fruit salad with honey and lime juice in the grocery store last year and it was amazing! However, it also had some chopped fresh mint in it. I tried to make it at home, and it didn’t work out so well… I don’t know if the mint was just not good or something, but it kind of had a dirty taste to it, as if I hadn’t washed the mint and it was really dusty (it wasn’t and I did wash it!). Anyway, thanks for this – I think maybe I’ll try it again without the mint and see if it’s better! If you’re braver than me you could try it with mint though and tell us all if it’s good 🙂
YUM!!! oh my goodness, this looks so good! I am seriously addicted to fruit! When I was pregnant it was ALL I wanted to eat… and it has kinda stuck with me, even though my baby is almost 8 months!! 🙂 So pretty and sounds delicious!!
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This looks so refreshing! I really like that you use some canned ingredients (for, like you said, times when fresh is just not that great), along with fresh! I am going to make this for company this weekend…thanks for sharing, Mel! 🙂