Salads with Fruit: Crafting Perfect Salads with a Fruity Twist

1- Peach & Burrata Caprese Salad

A sweet and creamy twist on the classic Caprese, this salad swaps tomatoes for juicy peaches and mozzarella for burrata, making it perfect for summer gatherings.

Ingredients:

• 2 ripe peaches, sliced
• 1 ball of burrata cheese
• Fresh basil leaves
• ¼ cup candied pecans
• 1 tbsp honey
• ½ tsp chili flakes (optional)

Instructions:

1. Arrange peach slices on a serving plate.
2. Tear burrata cheese and place it between peach slices.
3. Scatter fresh basil leaves and candied pecans on top.
4. Drizzle honey and sprinkle chili flakes for a hint of spice.
5. Serve immediately.

2- Watermelon Quinoa Salad

Light and refreshing, this salad combines hydrating watermelon with protein-packed quinoa, accented by mint and a touch of balsamic.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup quinoa, cooked and cooled
• 2 cups watermelon, cubed
• ½ cucumber, sliced
• ¼ red onion, thinly sliced
• ¼ cup crumbled feta
• Fresh mint leaves
• Balsamic glaze for drizzling

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, combine the quinoa, watermelon, cucumber, red onion, and feta.
2. Tear mint leaves and add them in.
3. Toss gently to combine.
4. Drizzle with balsamic glaze just before serving.

3- Copycat Strawberry Poppyseed Salad

Inspired by Panera’s popular dish, this salad blends strawberries, blueberries, and pineapple with a tangy poppyseed dressing for a fruity, fresh bite.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup fresh strawberries, sliced
• ½ cup blueberries
• ½ cup pineapple chunks
• 1 small can mandarin oranges, drained
• 6 cups mixed greens
• ¼ cup sliced red onion
• Poppyseed dressing (store-bought or homemade)

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, combine mixed greens, strawberries, blueberries, pineapple, and mandarin oranges.
2. Add red onion slices.
3. Drizzle with poppyseed dressing and toss to coat.
4. Serve immediately.

4- Strawberry Spinach Salad

A sweet-savory combination of strawberries, tangy feta, and crunchy pecans on a bed of fresh spinach—ideal as a light meal or side dish.

Ingredients:

• 6 cups baby spinach
• 1 cup strawberries, sliced
• ½ cup crumbled feta
• ½ cup pecans, toasted
• 1 cup cooked and shredded herbed chicken (optional)
• Balsamic vinaigrette for dressing

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, layer spinach, strawberries, feta, and pecans.
2. Add chicken if using.
3. Drizzle with balsamic vinaigrette and toss lightly to combine.
4. Serve as a light meal or side salad.

5- Simple Fruit Salad

This fruit salad is elevated with a honey-orange glaze and lemon zest, adding brightness to a blend of berries and grapes.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup strawberries, halved
• 1 cup blueberries
• 1 cup grapes, halved
• 1 orange, juiced
• 1 tbsp honey
• Zest of 1 lemon

Instructions:

1. Combine strawberries, blueberries, and grapes in a mixing bowl.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together orange juice, honey, and lemon zest.
3. Pour the honey-citrus mixture over the fruit and toss to coat.
4. Chill for 10 minutes before serving.

6- Fish Taco Bowl with Mango Salsa

A deconstructed taco with crispy fish, creamy cabbage slaw, and sweet mango salsa, perfect for a tropical-inspired salad.

Ingredients:

• 4 oz white fish fillet (like tilapia or cod), seasoned and cooked
• 1 cup shredded cabbage
• ½ cup diced mango
• 1 avocado, sliced
• ¼ cup Greek yogurt
• 1 tsp hot sauce
• Lime wedges for garnish

Instructions:

1. Assemble the bowl with shredded cabbage as the base.
2. Top with the cooked fish, diced mango, and avocado slices.
3. In a small bowl, mix Greek yogurt and hot sauce to make a spicy crema.
4. Drizzle crema over the bowl and serve with lime wedges.

7- Balsamic Grilled Steak Salad with Peaches

This hearty salad pairs peppery arugula, juicy grilled peaches, and savory steak with a tangy balsamic vinaigrette.

Ingredients:

• 6 cups arugula
• 1 ripe peach, sliced
• ¼ cup crumbled blue cheese (or feta)
• 6 oz grilled steak, sliced thin
• Balsamic vinaigrette

Instructions:

1. Place arugula on a serving platter.
2. Arrange peach slices, blue cheese, and steak on top.
3. Drizzle with balsamic vinaigrette and toss gently.
4. Serve immediately for the best flavor.

8- Papaya Salad

A zesty Southeast Asian-inspired salad featuring shredded green papaya, tomatoes, and peanuts, with customizable spice levels.

Ingredients:

• 1 green papaya, shredded
• ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 carrot, julienned
• ¼ cup roasted peanuts
• 2 tbsp fish sauce (or soy sauce)
• 1 tbsp lime juice
• 1 tsp sugar
• Fresh chilies (optional)

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, combine shredded papaya, cherry tomatoes, carrot, and peanuts.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together fish sauce, lime juice, and sugar.
3. Pour dressing over the salad and toss to coat.
4. Add fresh chilies for extra spice if desired.

9- Caribbean Cobb Salad with Salmon

A colorful and filling Cobb salad with a tropical twist, featuring mango, avocado, and plantain chips topped with spiced salmon.

Ingredients:

• 4 oz salmon, cooked and seasoned
• 1 mango, diced
• 6 cups mixed greens
• ¼ cup crushed plantain chips
• 1 avocado, sliced
• Coconut dressing (or your favorite vinaigrette)

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, arrange mixed greens, mango, plantain chips, and avocado.
2. Flake the salmon over the salad.
3. Drizzle with coconut dressing and toss lightly.
4. Serve immediately.

10- Watermelon Feta Salad

The ultimate summer salad, this refreshing mix of watermelon, cucumber, feta, and mint is balanced with a light olive oil vinaigrette.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups watermelon, cubed
• ½ cucumber, sliced
• ¼ cup crumbled feta
• Fresh mint leaves
• ¼ red onion, thinly sliced
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp red wine vinegar

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, combine watermelon, cucumber, feta, mint, and red onion.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil and red wine vinegar.
3. Drizzle dressing over the salad and toss to coat.
4. Serve chilled.