Brunch Fruit Salad

Ever since having children, fruit salad has become a quintessential element to almost every meal when I entertain. It’s a familiar food offering that satisfies the little mouths at the table, who may not be keen on trying the more adventurous items on the menu. This brunch fruit salad, for example, ensures that even the pickiest eaters will leave with a belly full of healthy fruit.

Our fruit salad recipe isn’t just for kids, though. It’s a delightful combination of fruits that adults gobble up with glee, with juicy pineapple, mandarin oranges and creamy banana contrasted by the sweet crunch of apples and grapes. Toss it with a simple dressing made from a trio of fruit juices for a crowd-pleasing combination of textures, colors and flavors.

The best part about this recipe is its use of accessible and affordable produce. Unlike tropical fruit salads that feature exotic fruits with limited seasonal availability (depending on your region), this one uses a blend of canned and fresh fruits that typically can be found year-round at your local supermarket.

Brunch Fruit Salad Ingredients

• Canned pineapple
• Bananas
• Green grapes
• Canned mandarin oranges
• Red apple
• Green apple
• Sugar
• Cornstarch
• Orange juice
• Lemon juice

Directions

Step 1: Combine the fruit

Drain the pineapple, reserving the juice. In a large bowl, combine the pineapple, bananas, grapes, oranges and apples. Set aside.

Step 2: Make the dressing

In a small saucepan, combine the sugar and cornstarch. Add the orange juice, lemon juice and reserved pineapple juice.

Stir until smooth, then bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes.

Step 3: Toss it all together

Pour the dressing over the fruit and mix gently.

Cover and chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

How to Store Brunch Fruit Salad

Brunch fruit salad should be stored in an airtight food storage container (or in a serving bowl covered tightly with storage wrap). It’s the best way to keep fruit salad fresh.

Brunch Fruit Salad Tips

What is the secret to a good brunch fruit salad?

One little-known fact about summer fruit salads is that they can benefit from a dressing just like their green salad counterparts. Not only does a dressing add a burst of additional flavor complexity, it can also help preserve the color and freshness of the fruit. Fruit salad dressing can be juice-based, as in this recipe, or creamy, like the one used in our top-rated company fruit salad.

Is fresh or canned fruit better for fruit salad?

We think fresh and canned fruit both have a place in a fruit salad recipe. While fresh fruit salads are a great way to celebrate the bounty of the season, canned fruit can add extra color, texture and variety to a fruit salad in the dead of winter when fresh produce options may be more limited.

No matter the route you take, knowing when summer produce is in season and selecting high-quality canned fruit will help you take your fruit salad to the next level.

What do you serve with brunch fruit salad?

We love serving this brunch fruit salad with heavier breakfast offerings. It complements the richness of a hearty farmhouse breakfast, classic quiche Lorraine or a stack of stuffed French toast.

You can also keep your meal on the lighter side by serving this fruit salad with a scoop of Greek yogurt or a sprinkle of homemade granola.