Think Fruit Salad Is Boring? You’re Just Doing Them Wrong—Try These 8 Recipes Instead

When you think of fruit salad, you might picture a simple bowl of chopped berries and melon, maybe even topped with a helping of cream. While there’s nothing wrong with that classic version, it’s not exactly thrilling. Fortunately, there are many ways to elevate your fruit salad game. The recipes below will have you craving all kinds of fruit salads, perfect for lunch, dinner, or even dessert. Spoiler alert: fruit salad doesn’t have to be just sweet!

RELATED: Juicy, Sweet, and Full of Flavor: The Best Summer Fruit (Plus Recipes!)

How to spruce up a fruit salad

There are many ways to make fruit salads more interesting and delicious. Combining fruits with vegetables like bell peppers and cucumbers can add a refreshing twist. Incorporating fresh herbs such as mint, basil, and cilantro can elevate the flavor profile, too. Adding extra texture is another way to enhance your fruit salad—ingredients like nuts and seeds not only provide a satisfying crunch but also increase the nutritional value of your dish.

A zesty dressing is always a welcome addition, and if you’re feeling adventurous, you can experiment with spices. Sprinkle a bit of chili powder, cayenne pepper, or a dash of hot sauce for an extra kick. Mango, for example, is a great fruit to combine with a little heat—its natural sweetness and juicy texture complement the spice perfectly. Tangy pineapple is another great choice.

If you need more practical tips, we’ve got you covered. Below, you can find some of our favorite recipes that prove that fruit in a salad is far from boring.

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8 fruit salad recipes that definitely aren’t boring

Whip up these bright and tasty fruit salads all summer long. 

Ooh La La, It’s Vegan

1 Easy Fruit Salad with Balsamic-Maple Dressing

This delicious salad from Ooh La La, It’s Vegan is perfect for enjoying al fresco on a beautiful summer’s day. Fresh berries, peaches, nectarines, and bananas really shine when they’re combined with a balsamic-maple dressing and a hint of mint, too. You’ll want to make this fruit salad again and again, there’s no question.
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Erin Scott

2 10-Minute Refreshing Vegan Watermelon and Cucumber Salad

You might not expect it, but the sweetness of the watermelon in this recipe from the Eat Plants Every Day cookbook balances well with the savory and slightly pungent flavor of red onion. Plus, watermelon and cucumber are both high in water content, which makes this salad a supremely juicy and refreshing treat on hot days.
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JB Douglas

3 Mandarin Kohlrabi Salad With Poppy Seeds

Thanks to its slightly earthy flavor, kohlrabi (also known as a German turnip) pairs well with ingredients like nutty poppy seeds and zesty mandarin and lime juice. The texture profile in this salad is also spot on: Kohlrabi is satisfyingly crunchy, while the mandarin segments are pleasantly juicy.
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Minimalist Baker

4Spicy Fruit Salad

In this recipe, Minimalist Baker combines mangoes and chili powder for a “serious flavor bomb.” Add in some ripe summer fruit, lime juice, maple syrup, and just a small pinch of sea salt, and you’ve got yourself the perfect spicy-sweet summer dish.
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Kylie Perrotti

5 Vegan Summer Nectarine and Chickpea Salad

Chickpeas, nectarines, and tomatoes are the golden salad trio you didn’t know you loved. They work together beautifully—Nectarines provide a sweet flavor, while tomatoes add a tangy note, and chickpeas bring a nutty, creamy texture—and this recipe from The Plant-Based 5 Ingredient Cookbook is the proof. 
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Natalie Norman

6 Easy Vegan Pomegranate Salad

This salad recipe was initially created for the holidays, but it tastes delicious all year round. With just a few ingredients and minimal preparation required, it’s easy to make, bursting with flavors and colors and can be prepared 24 hours in advance. What’s not to love?
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8 Vegan Shaved Fennel and Pink Grapefruit Salad With Cashew Dill Yogurt Dressing

This salad recipe from The Low-Carbon Cookbook & Action Plan combines sweet, tangy, and refreshing grapefruit with shaved fennel and radish and a creamy dill cashew yogurt dressing with delicious results. It looks great, tastes great, and it’s great for you, too. Fennel, in particular, is known for its anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties, while grapefruit is high in vitamin C.
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Desiree Nielsen

9 Vegan Plum and Radicchio Salad With Tahini Yogurt Dressing

Trust us: bitter radicchio and tart plums are a truly dynamic flavor combination, especially when they’re combined with sweet chopped Medjool dates, walnuts, and slightly spicy tahini yogurt dressing. The latter also contains ​​lemon juice, which adds a bright, zesty flavor that keeps the salad from the Good For Your Gut cookbook light and refreshing.
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