From Ambrosia to Layered Jello Salads and festive bowls of sliced fruit tossed in honey or orange juice dressings, a classic fruit salad has an important place on every holiday table. This list of easy holiday fruit salad recipes has everything you need to round out your brunch, party and Christmas dinner menu this year!
Fruit salads are a sacred tradition on the Southern holiday table. We serve them for Christmas and Thanksgiving dinners, at brunches, for parties and eat the coveted leftovers for breakfast or the first chance we get!
Their sweet and sometimes fruity tartness are the perfect change of pace from the all the rich, savory holiday dinner selections. And let’s face it, for brunch and parties, we all just feel a little better about ourselves when we eat a little bit of fruit amongst the cheese grits and cookies and cups of punch.
How to Make a Simple Fruit Salad
Fruit salads are easy to make. Below are a few rules of thumb I always employ when planning and prepping a fruit salad.
Which Fruit To Use
I usually use cheaper fruits like apples, bananas, grapes, even canned pineapples to make up the bulk, or base, of the salad and then fill in with either my favorite fruits (or the favorite fruits of my guests) or something seasonal or special.
For instance, during the holidays, pomegranate arils and dried cranberries are a festive addition, as well as pears, kiwi, dates and oranges. And of course, you can never go wrong with piles and piles of berries no matter the season.
Size
Also, when slicing, chopping and dicing larger fruits like apples and pears, even strawberries, I try to make all the fruit in my salad approximately the same size. This makes the salad easier to eat, more balanced in taste and more attractive.
Color
Lastly, consider not peeling apples and pears. After all, it’s the color of fruit that makes it so attractive to the eye and the taste buds. Wash your fruit well and keep as much of that color as you can!
Classic Holiday Fruit Salads
Ambrosia Fruit Salad with Whipped Cream Dressing
This heavenly fruit salad is wrapped in a light and fluffy whipped cream dressing with a secret ingredient that makes it absolutely the best! Toasted coconut, pineapples, mandarin oranges, strawberries, grapes and bananas become a “to die for” side dish or dessert in this Ambrosia Fruit Salad recipe that’s perfect for holidays, family dinners, showers, even brunch!
Cranberry Jello Salad
Deliciously sweet and festive, cranberry jello salad is filled with little mandarin orange slices, crushed pineapple, the crunch of chopped pecans and tart whole berry cranberry sauce suspended in a vibrant black cherry jello. Top it with a dollop of sweetened sour cream for the perfect holiday side dish or dessert!
Red & Green Fruit Salad with Cinnamon Orange Dressing
This easy winter fruit salad is filled with apples, dried cranberries, green grapes, kiwi and strawberries for a cheerful red & green, festive look! Tossed in a simple cinnamon orange honey dressing, this crisp and sweetly tart salad appeals to the senses and celebrates all the right flavors of the season.
Strawberry Jello Salad: A Southern Tradition
Layered Strawberry Jello Salad with its dreamy sour cream layer surrounded by crushed pineapple, bananas, pecans and, of course, loads of strawberries has made its required appearance in a 9×13 glass baking dish on our family tables for as long as I can remember.
Crunchy Broccoli Salad with Strawberries
This fresh take on classic Crunchy Broccoli Salad is loaded with 2 kinds of broccoli, plump strawberries, sweet dried cranberries, tart green apples and a simple homemade dressing that is both creamy and tangy. Perfect for making ahead, you’ll love serving this salad side dish at the holidays!
Apple, Cheese, Celery Salad
Every table needs a simple salad. This Apple, Cheese, Celery Salad has graced our family table for as long as I can remember. One of my mamaw’s favorites, this salad plays off the classic pairing of sweet apples and mildly salty cheese with the crisp crunch of celery and a sprinkling of walnuts.
Cherry Coca-Cola Jello Salad
Cherry Coca-Cola Jello Salad is a sparkling dessert fruit salad with delightfully intense flavors of a cherry coke float. Punctuated with juicy, tart cherries, bright pineapple, crunchy pecans and light flakes of sweetened coconut with a pop of fizzy Coca-Cola & a cream cheese whipped topping, jiggly jello has never been so fun… or delicious!
Classic Fruit Salad with Old Fashioned Cream Sauce
A classic salad filled with sliced fruit, coconut and walnuts or pecans always hits the spot! This one is tossed in an easy old fashioned cream sauce that's made on the stove top. It's elegant, colorful and tastes just like Christmas is supposed to.
Tropical Orange Jello Salad
Light & refreshing, this Tropical Orange Jello Salad is loaded with mandarin oranges, pineapple, bananas and topped with a cloud of coconut flavored, sweetened sour cream. Sprinkle on a few sliced almonds and you have a delicious fruit salad or layered dessert that is stunning on any holiday table.
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