Name: Sparkling Christmas Fruit Salad with Citrus Drizzle
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: Base Fruits for a Festive Salad:; Strawberries: (1 lb) Their vibrant red is just essential for that holiday feel! I always grab the freshest ones I can find; nobody wants mushy berries in their beautiful salad.; Green Grapes: (2 cups, halved) A lovely pop of green and so juicy. I tried red grapes once, but the green ones really give that classic Christmas contrast.; Mandarin Oranges: (2 cans, 15 oz each, drained) Easy peasy, and their sweetness is just right. Fresh oranges are great too, but peeling a dozen when you’re busy? Nah, canned is my secret weapon.; Kiwi: (4-5, peeled and sliced) That vibrant green and tiny black seeds? So pretty! Just make sure they’re ripe, not rock hard, or they’ll be too tart.; Zesty Citrus Dressing:; Orange Juice: (1/4 cup, freshly squeezed) The heart of our light dressing. Freshly squeezed is my jam, but good quality store-bought works too if you’re in a pinch.; Lime Juice: (2 tbsp, freshly squeezed) Adds that little zing! Don’t skip it; it brightens everything up and cuts through the sweetness.; Honey: (2 tbsp) A touch of natural sweetness. I tried maple syrup once, but honey just blends better with the citrus flavors here.; Festive Finishing Touches:; Pomegranate Arils: (1/2 cup) Honestly, they’re a bit of a pain to get out, but that jewel-like sparkle? Worth it for the visual appeal!; Fresh Mint Leaves: (2 tbsp, chopped) A little burst of freshness and color. I didn’t expect that it would make such a difference, but it truly elevates the whole dish!

Description

Whip up a vibrant Christmas Fruit Salad! Fresh berries, juicy oranges, and a bright citrus drizzle make this festive dish a holiday favorite.

Ingredients

Base Fruits for a Festive Salad:
Strawberries: (1 lb) Their vibrant red is just essential for that holiday feel! I always grab the freshest ones I can find; nobody wants mushy berries in their beautiful salad.
Green Grapes: (2 cups, halved) A lovely pop of green and so juicy. I tried red grapes once, but the green ones really give that classic Christmas contrast.
Mandarin Oranges: (2 cans, 15 oz each, drained) Easy peasy, and their sweetness is just right. Fresh oranges are great too, but peeling a dozen when you’re busy? Nah, canned is my secret weapon.
Kiwi: (4-5, peeled and sliced) That vibrant green and tiny black seeds? So pretty! Just make sure they’re ripe, not rock hard, or they’ll be too tart.
Zesty Citrus Dressing:
Orange Juice: (1/4 cup, freshly squeezed) The heart of our light dressing. Freshly squeezed is my jam, but good quality store-bought works too if you’re in a pinch.
Lime Juice: (2 tbsp, freshly squeezed) Adds that little zing! Don’t skip it; it brightens everything up and cuts through the sweetness.
Honey: (2 tbsp) A touch of natural sweetness. I tried maple syrup once, but honey just blends better with the citrus flavors here.
Festive Finishing Touches:
Pomegranate Arils: (1/2 cup) Honestly, they’re a bit of a pain to get out, but that jewel-like sparkle? Worth it for the visual appeal!
Fresh Mint Leaves: (2 tbsp, chopped) A little burst of freshness and color. I didn’t expect that it would make such a difference, but it truly elevates the whole dish!

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Prep Your Fruits, Darling:: First things first, get all your beautiful fruits washed and prepped. Hull those strawberries and slice them into halves or quarters, whatever looks pretty to you. Pluck the grapes from their stems. Peel and slice your kiwi; I usually go for little half-moon shapes. Drain those mandarin oranges well; nobody wants watery fruit salad, trust me. I always make sure everything is dry before it goes into the bowl, or the dressing just slides right off.
Whisk Up That Zesty Dressing:: In a small bowl, combine your fresh orange juice, lime juice, and honey. Give it a good whisk until the honey is fully dissolved. You want a smooth, slightly tangy dressing here. I usually taste it at this point – sometimes the oranges are super sweet, so I might add a tiny splash more lime. Don’t be shy with tasting; it’s your kitchen, hon! This dressing is what ties your fruit salad together.
Combine and Gently Toss:: Now for the fun part! In a large, lovely mixing bowl, gently combine all your prepped fruits: the strawberries, green grapes, mandarin oranges, and kiwi. Pour that zesty dressing all over them. Use a large spoon or spatula to gently toss everything together. You want every piece of fruit to get a little kiss of that citrusy goodness. Be gentle, though; we don’t want mushy fruit!
Add Those Festive Jewels:: Once your fruits are dressed, it’s time for the pomegranate arils. Sprinkle them over the top and gently fold them in. Their vibrant red adds such a gorgeous holiday pop, truly making it a festive fruit salad. I once got a bit overzealous and crushed a bunch of arils, turning my salad a slightly pinkish hue. Still tasty, but not as pretty!
Chill Out, Little Salad:: This step is crucial, honestly. Cover your bowl with plastic wrap and pop it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. An hour is even better! This chilling time allows all those beautiful flavors to meld together, and the fruit gets nice and cold, which is how a fruit salad should be served. I sometimes forget this step in the holiday rush, and it’s just not quite the same.
Garnish and Serve Your Christmas Fruit Salad:: Right before serving, give your salad one last gentle toss. Then, sprinkle with the fresh chopped mint leaves. The mint adds such a refreshing aroma and another layer of color. Serve it up in a pretty bowl, perhaps with a little serving spoon. It’s ready to brighten up any holiday table! Just seeing all those colors makes me happy, and it’s always a hit.