Thanksgiving Fruit Salad Recipe

Introduction

Thanksgiving is a time for delicious comfort foods, hearty meals, and unforgettable family gatherings. One of my favorite parts of the holiday season is the variety of side dishes that make the meal even more special. This Thanksgiving Fruit Salad recipe holds a special place in my heart. It’s the perfect balance of sweet and savory, with the richness of toasted pecans, the burst of citrusy freshness, and the sweetness of dried cranberries. Whenever I serve this vibrant fruit salad at our Thanksgiving dinner, it never fails to impress. My family raves about the bright, refreshing flavors, and it’s always one of the first dishes to be completely devoured! Whether served as a refreshing side or a light dessert, this fruit salad is sure to bring a festive touch to any holiday meal.

Why You’ll Love This Thanksgiving Fruit Salad Recipe

This Thanksgiving Fruit Salad is everything you could want in a holiday side dish. The combination of crisp green apples, juicy red apples, and citrusy navel oranges creates a satisfying mix of textures and flavors that are both refreshing and comforting. The addition of dried cranberries gives the salad a pop of tartness, while the toasted pecans add a delightful crunch. The warm spiced dressing made with orange juice, lemon zest, and apple pie spice brings it all together in a way that feels both festive and comforting. It’s not only visually stunning with its mix of bright colors, but it’s also incredibly easy to make. In just 10 minutes, you can prepare a show-stopping salad that will be the star of your Thanksgiving table.

Ingredients

For this Thanksgiving Fruit Salad, you will need:

For the Fruit Salad:

• 2 medium green apples
• 2 medium red apples
• ¾ cup dried cranberries
• 1 cup pecans
• 1 cup grapes (red or green, or a mix of both)
• 3 medium navel oranges
• 1 medium lemon (juiced)

For the Dressing:

• ½ cup orange juice
• ¼ cup white sugar
• ¼ tsp apple pie spice
• Zest of 1 lemon
• Zest of 1 orange

Instructions

1. Toast the Pecans

• Preheat your oven to 350°F.
• Spread the pecans on a baking sheet and place them in the oven while it’s heating up. Toast the pecans for about 5–7 minutes, or until they become fragrant.
• Remove the pecans from the oven and allow them to cool.

2. Prepare the Dressing

• In a small saucepan, combine the orange juice, sugar, apple pie spice, lemon zest, and orange zest.
• Heat the mixture over medium heat, whisking to combine.
• Once the mixture begins to bubble, reduce the heat and let it simmer for 3–4 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
• Strain the dressing through a fine-mesh strainer to remove the zest and any other solids. Let the dressing cool completely.

3. Prepare the Fruit

• Core and slice the apples into bite-sized pieces. To prevent browning, toss the apples with juice from half a lemon.
• Peel the oranges and cut them into bite-sized pieces, making sure to remove any seeds.
• Wash and slice the grapes into halves or quarters, depending on their size.

4. Assemble the Salad

• In a large bowl, combine the apple slices, dried cranberries, toasted pecans, grapes, and orange pieces.
• Drizzle the cooled dressing over the fruit mixture.
• Gently toss everything together until the dressing evenly coats the fruit.

5. Serve

• You can serve the salad immediately or refrigerate it for up to 1 hour before serving. Chilling it enhances the flavors and helps the dressing settle into the fruit.

Nutrition Facts

Servings: 8
Calories per Serving: 210 kcal
Carbohydrates: 30g
Sugar: 21g
Sodium: 15mg
Fat: 10g
Saturated Fat: 1g
Unsaturated Fat: 9g
Trans Fat: 0g
Fiber: 4g
Protein: 3g
Cholesterol: 0mg

Preparation Time

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 10 minutes

How to Serve

Here are a few ways you can serve this festive and vibrant fruit salad:

• As a Side Dish: Serve it alongside your main Thanksgiving dishes like turkey and stuffing. The refreshing, tangy flavors of the fruit salad provide a nice balance to the rich and savory foods.
• As a Dessert: You can serve the salad as a light, refreshing dessert at the end of the meal. Its sweetness and spice will complement your other desserts without being too heavy.
• As a Potluck Dish: Bring this fruit salad to a holiday gathering or potluck, and watch it disappear within minutes. It’s a crowd-pleaser and easy to prepare in advance.

Additional Tips

1. Use Fresh Citrus: For the best flavor, use fresh navel oranges and lemons. Their juiciness and zest provide a fragrant, zesty kick to the salad.
2. Make Ahead: You can prepare the fruit salad a few hours ahead of time. Just be sure to store it in the fridge, and toss it again before serving to redistribute the dressing.
3. Add Other Fruits: While this recipe calls for apples and oranges, feel free to get creative. Pears, pomegranates, or even a handful of fresh berries can add an extra burst of flavor.
4. Adjust Sweetness: Depending on the sweetness of your fruit, you may want to adjust the amount of sugar in the dressing. Add more or less based on your preference.
5. Toast the Pecans Carefully: Keep an eye on the pecans while toasting them in the oven to avoid burning. The moment they start to smell fragrant, they are ready to come out.

FAQ Section

1. Can I make this fruit salad ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare it up to 1 hour before serving. Just keep it in the fridge, and give it a gentle toss before serving.

2. Can I use different nuts in this recipe?
Absolutely! Walnuts, almonds, or even cashews can be used as substitutes for pecans.

3. Can I use a different type of apple?
Green apples are a classic choice for their tartness, but red apples like Fuji or Gala work well too. You can even mix different types of apples for added flavor.

4. Can I skip the pecans if I have nut allergies?
Yes, you can leave the nuts out entirely, or you can substitute them with toasted sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds for some crunch.

5. How do I prevent the apples from browning?
Toss the apple slices with lemon juice as soon as you cut them. This helps preserve their color and flavor.

6. Can I use frozen fruit?
It’s best to use fresh fruit for this recipe. Frozen fruit can release too much liquid and affect the texture of the salad.

7. Can I make this salad without sugar?
Yes, you can omit the sugar or use a natural sweetener like honey or maple syrup. Keep in mind that the flavor might be slightly different.

8. How long do leftovers last?
The fruit salad will stay fresh for about 1–2 days in the fridge. After that, the fruit may start to lose its texture.

9. Can I use a different dressing?
You can experiment with other dressings, such as a honey-lime dressing or a simple balsamic glaze, but the spiced orange dressing really enhances the holiday flavors.

10. Can I serve this salad warm?
It’s best served chilled, but you can warm the dressing slightly before pouring it over the fruit if you prefer a warm salad.

Conclusion

This Thanksgiving Fruit Salad recipe is a delightful and colorful addition to your holiday spread. The combination of crisp apples, juicy citrus, toasted pecans, and dried cranberries creates a flavorful and satisfying dish that is both refreshing and comforting. The spiced orange dressing adds an extra layer of flavor, making it a perfect complement to your Thanksgiving feast. With its beautiful colors and vibrant flavors, this fruit salad will not only impress your guests but will quickly become a holiday favorite. Easy to make, versatile, and delicious, it’s the ideal side dish or dessert for any occasion.

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