Red, White and Blue Fruit Salad
Celebrate summer with this Red, White and Blue Fruit Salad! Fresh strawberries, crisp apples, and juicy blueberries are tossed in a sweet orange dressing for the perfect patriotic side dish.
Meet the new star salad that will become a staple at all of your summer celebrations: Red, White, and Blue Fruit Salad. This colorful fruit salad is as beautiful as it is delicious. Fresh, juicy strawberries, sweet blueberries, and crisp apples create the classic red, white, and blue color combination, while a bright citrus dressing made with fresh lemon and orange adds a refreshing burst of flavor. Made with Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, and Pioneer Day parties in mind, this festive side dish will please everyone. It pairs well with grilled mains and other summer sides.
Hosting a party? Find more popular sides and desserts here!
RED, WHITE, AND BLUE FRUIT SALAD
This patriotic fruit salad couldn’t be any simpler to prepare, making it an excellent choice for a last-minute party dish. Plus, the mini-star shapes are perfect for a star-spangled party spread! This easy fruit salad is made by combining fresh strawberries, blueberries, and Honeycrisp apples. The apples are soaked in lemon water to prevent browning, then added to the berries. A simple dressing of fresh orange juice, orange zest, brown sugar, and a pinch of salt is whisked together and drizzled over the fruit before gently tossing to combine. Serve immediately or chill until ready to enjoy.
Find my expert tips on how to make simple red, white, and blue fruit salad below! Don’t forget to tag me in all of your creations @lifeinthelofthouse on Instagram and Facebook. Let’s stay connected. ❤️
Why You’ll Love This Easy Red, White, and Blue Fruit Salad Recipe:
- Fresh & Sweet: The fresh fruits offer a refreshing and light side to other heavy dishes in the summer.
- Patriotic Side Dish: Make it for backyard barbecues, picnics, and potlucks to celebrate the 4th of July and American holidays.
- Great For Any Occasion: Serve it all summer long, even when it isn’t a holiday. This fruit salad pairs well with everything.
Ingredients
Fruit Salad
- 1-pound strawberries
- 1-pint blueberries
- 3 Honey Crisp apples
- 1 Tablespoon of fresh lemon juice mixed with 1 cup of water (for submerging apple slices to prevent browning)
Dressing
- 1 Tablespoon orange juice (fresh from an orange)
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- 1 Tablespoon light brown sugar
- pinch of salt
Instructions
For The Fruit Salad
Remove the stems from the strawberries and cut them into bite-sized pieces (about 4 pieces per strawberry). Place the strawberries in a large serving bowl.
Add the blueberries to the bowl with the strawberries.
Wash and core the Honeycrisp apples, then slice them into approximately ¼-inch-thick slices.
Place the apple slices in the bowl of lemon water to prevent the apples from browning. When ready to serve, remove the apple slices from the lemon water. Pat dry. Then use a small star-shaped cookie cutter to cut stars from the apple slices. Add the apple stars to the fruit mixture.
For The Dressing
Whisk together the orange juice, orange zest, brown sugar, and a pinch of salt in a small bowl until well combined.
Drizzle the dressing over the fruit and gently toss to coat. Serve immediately, or chill until ready to serve. Enjoy!
Servings
Serves 4 to 6
Storage
Store the fruit salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. For best results, keep the dressing separate and add the apple stars just before serving to maintain their texture and color.
Holly’s Tips for The Best Red, White, and Blue Fruit Salad:
- Use Fresh, High-Quality Fruit: For the sweetest and most flavorful red, white, and blue fruit salad, select ripe strawberries, firm Honeycrisp apples, and plump blueberries. Fresh, in-season fruit provides the best texture and natural sweetness.
- Use A Star Cookie Cutter: A mini star-shaped cookie cutter creates festive apple stars that make this patriotic fruit salad perfect for Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, and Labor Day celebrations.
- Make The Dressing Ahead: The orange dressing can be prepared up to 24 hours in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Give it a quick whisk before drizzling over the fruit.
- Add Dressing Just Before Serving: For the freshest texture, toss the fruit with the citrus dressing shortly before serving. This keeps the berries firm and prevents excess juices from accumulating in the bowl.
- Best Served Chilled: Serve this summer fruit salad cold for the most refreshing flavor. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving, if time allows.
- Customizable: While the classic red, white, and blue combination is perfect for patriotic holidays, you can also add raspberries, watermelon, pears, or bananas for extra variety.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes! You can prepare the strawberries, blueberries, and orange dressing up to 24 hours in advance. For the freshest presentation, cut the apple stars and add them just before serving to prevent browning and maintain their crisp texture.
Soak the apple slices in a mixture of lemon juice and water until you’re ready to assemble the fruit salad. The lemon juice helps slow oxidation, keeping the apples bright and fresh-looking.
Honeycrisp apples are an excellent choice because they’re sweet, crisp, and hold their texture well. Other good options include Gala, Fuji, Pink Lady, or Ambrosia apples.
Absolutely. You can replace the orange dressing with a honey-lime dressing, a simple citrus syrup, or even serve the fruit salad without dressing if you prefer a lighter option.
Yes! Raspberries, watermelon, pears, bananas, and cherries are great additions. Just keep in mind that adding additional fruits may alter the classic red, white, and blue color theme.
This refreshing summer fruit salad pairs well with grilled burgers, hot dogs, barbecue chicken, pulled pork, sandwiches, and other picnic favorites. It also makes a colorful addition to holiday brunches and dessert tables.
Similar Recipes
Craving something similar? Try my Summer Fruit Salad.
Wanting something a little different? This Red, White, and Blue Berry Trifle is a beautifully layered patriotic dessert!
Looking for more festive 4th of July recipes? No party is complete without The Best Ever Cheeseburgers, Pudding Pops, and Easy Berry Crisp.
Have you made this Red, White, and Blue Fruit Salad recipe? 🇺🇸
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Red, White and Blue Fruit Salad
Ingredients
Fruit Salad
- 1 pound fresh strawberries
- 1 pint fresh blueberries
- 3 Honey Crisp apples
- 1 Tablespoon of fresh lemon juice mixed with 1 cup of water (for submerging apple slices to prevent browning)
Dressing
- 1 Tablespoon orange juice (fresh from an orange)
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- 1 Tablespoon light brown sugar
- pinch of salt
Instructions
For The Fruit Salad
- Remove the stems from the strawberries and cut them into bite-sized pieces (about 4 pieces per strawberry). Place the strawberries in a large serving bowl.
- Add the blueberries to the bowl with the strawberries. Wash and core the Honeycrisp apples, then slice them into approximately ¼-inch-thick slices.
- Place the apple slices in the bowl of lemon water to prevent the apples from browning. When ready to serve, remove the apple slices from the lemon water. Pat dry. Then use a small star-shaped cookie cutter to cut stars from the apple slices. Add the apple stars to the fruit mixture.
Dressing
- Whisk together the orange juice, orange zest, brown sugar, and a pinch of salt in a small bowl until well combined.
- Drizzle the dressing over the fruit and gently toss to coat. Serve immediately, or chill until ready to serve. Enjoy!
Notes
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