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This refreshing fruit salad is perfect as a side dish or a healthy dessert…and it has a secret ingredient that might surprise you! Perfect for summer, this fruit salad will win your backyard barbecues and picnics.
It’s summertime, and that means an abundance of fresh fruit just waiting to be turned into an amazing fruit salad! It’s the perfect summer side dish for backyard BBQs, picnics, and potlucks because it requires no cooking, just some cutting up and mixing in a bowl. Pair it with some of our other summertime favorites like BLT Turkey Wraps, Classic Macaroni Salad, and Bacon Ranch Chicken Pasta Salad.
This refreshing summer fruit salad recipe has tons of your favorite fresh fruit and a secret ingredient – Vanilla Pudding Mix! The dry mix is sprinkled on top of the fruit and combines with the juices to create a delicious sauce the covers each bite. Everyone loves it and is surprised when I tell them how to make it. I almost feel guilty because it’s so easy!
How to Make Fruit Salad
So to make this fresh fruit salad, you need lots of fresh fruit! There is just something about fresh fruit that is so beautiful, isn’t there?
You can totally use the fruits that I did, or you can choose your favorites and just use those. There is no right or wrong way to make this easy fruit salad!
Some of my favorite fruits to include in fruit salad are:
- Strawberries
- Kiwi
- Grapes
- Blueberries
- Pineapple
- Melon
- Mandarin oranges
The key is to pick juicy fruits because to make that luscious fruit salad dressing, you’re going to sprinkle on some vanilla pudding mix. When it hits those fruits the juices come out even more and they combine with the dry pudding mix to form a delicious fruit salad dressing that will surprise you by just how delicious it actually is!
I also like to take into account the color and pick a variety of colors the represent the rainbow.
How do you keep fruit salad fresh?
Fruit salad will stay at its optimum freshness for at most a day or two. To help it stay fresher longer, cut the fruit into larger chunks. The fruit will get mushy quicker if it’s in smaller pieces. Also, make sure there is no water on the fruit that could add unwanted liquid to the dish.
Prolong Freshness with Lemon Juice
To keep your cut fruit fresher longer, try tossing it with a little bit of lemon juice. The citric acid will help prevent oxidization and keep your salad fresh for up to three days. A little lime juice and lime zest works too.
How long will this fruit salad last?
Store your fruit salad in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Stir it up each time you serve to redistribute the dressing and you’re ready to serve.
Do I have to use pudding mix?
The pudding mix is what creates the dressing that coats the fruit salad. You can also just chop up your fruit and mix it in a large bowl and call it good!
More Fresh Fruit Salad Recipes
- Sour Cream Salad
- Cream Cheese Fruit Dip
- Creamy Grape Salad
- Tropical Fruit Salad with Honey Lime Dressing
Summer Fruit Salad
Ingredients
- 5 cups fresh fruit cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoon dry Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix
Instructions
- Place fruit in a medium sized bowl.
- Sprinkle dry pudding mix on top and stir gently to coat each piece.
- Refrigerate for at least two hours, or up to overnight.
Notes
Nutrition
Is it possible to use chocolate instant pudding?
I haven’t tried it with chocolate…I want to say yes but I also know that it will change the flavor. Maybe just try a little powder on a few pieces of fruit and ha ve vanilla as a back up?
Laura Jones. Jell-o has Candy Cane flavor out now, why don’t you try that instead and tell the rest of us how it goes?
Thanks Kristin for this magical secret ingredient!
ugh, why ruin fresh fruit with a powered pudding mix? seems contrary to the fresh fruit approach…
Hi Cat, Thanks for sharing your feedback.
Why do people have to make comments like that? Its a recipe!! I’m going to try it for a dinner I’m going to Saturtday. Said I’d bring a fruit dish and this sounds awesome… Thank you☺
Would banana pudding work?
Yes, but banana pudding does have a different flavor, and a more “artificial” flavor that I personally don’t care for. Just something to keep in mind.
Could I use lime instant pudding?
I think you could use any flavor you like!
How many servings does this make? I would like to make this for 50 people or maybe 75
It would serve 8-10, depending on the serving size. Estimate 1/2 cup per person.
Can you use frozen fruit
Yes, but thawed.
Thank you!!
You should make it clear that you use instant pudding. Until I read the comments, I wouldn’t have used instant. Thanks for the secret!
Good point – I updated the recipe. Thanks!
I went to a birthday party and was asked to bring a fruit salad. I used your recipe with the vanilla pudding mix and everyone loved it. It turned out great and people were definitely surprised with the pudding! Thanks
What about pineapple?
Pineapple would be delicious!
Hi–Ihave a question— I am making fruit salad for very large crowd. How much vanilla pudding should I use? And, can I use watermelon?
The amount of pudding depends on how much fruit you use. Just adjust the recipe. You could use watermelon, but it may be a little too juicy.
Is it alright to use sugar free pudding mix?
Sure!
Love the addition of the pudding mix!
Looks so refreshing. x
Do you use Instant Vanilla Pudding?
Yes it’s instant.
Amazing idea!!! Wow, clever girl! Have a great day!!!
Kristin this looks amazing! I love how simple it is!!
I never would have thought to put vanilla pudding mix on fruit salad! Who knew?! Looks delish!
I bet it tastes so delicious with that secret ingredient! Will have to give it a try!
Wow, I never knew about the secret pudding ingredient. Great tip!!
Kristin……….fruit salad is also excellent sprinkled with a little bit of lemon pudding, too. Even though I’ve never tried other flavors than vanilla and lemon, I’m thinking that other pudding mixes would taste good also.
what about cream cheese flavored instant pudding
Sure, you could use that.