Name: Easy Tropical Fruit Salad
Prep time: 15 min
Ingredients: 2 cups papaya, 1/2" pieces; 2 cups watermelon, 1/2" pieces; 2 cups pineapple, 1/2" pieces; 1/2 cup blueberries; 1/2 cup grapes

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Summer is just around the corner and with it all of the backyard barbecues and casual entertaining. Nothing says summer like the sweet burst of fresh fruits. Easy Tropical Fruit Salad is the quick, healthy, and delicious dish you’ll be serving all season long.

Whether you’re looking for something to serve up alongside your Smoked Texas Style Brisket or addition to your brunch table, this is it. Sweet, refreshing, and impossibly easy to throw together, this is a colorful addition that will be the star of any meal.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Easy Process – If you are looking for a dish to bring to a party that requires no cooking, this is it. All you have to do is chop your fruit and mix in a pretty serving bowl.
Balance of Flavors – The combination of flavors in this fruit salad recipe is sweet, tangy, and completely refreshing
Accessible Ingredients –
Meal Prep – As the fruit salad refrigerates, their juices come out and they slightly marinate. Make this for a party and then enjoy snacking on it throughout the week.

Ingredients

Easy Tropical Fruit Salad combines just a few simple, fresh fruits for a vibrant and refreshing bowl you will be diving into. The combination of fruits brings their own unique textures and levels of sweetness.

Papaya – Papaya has a creamy, soft, and juicy texture. The flavor is similar melons and less tart than a mango.
Watermelon – Juicy, refreshing, and sweet, this is the ultimate taste of the summer.
Pineapple – A little sweet and a little tart, this pairs well with the tropical papaya.
Blueberries – Juicy and mildly sweet, these balance the sweeter fruits while adding texture.
Grapes – Crisp yet juicy with a bright sweetness, these add texture and flavor.

How to Make Easy Tropical Fruit Salad

If you are looking for a recipe with absolutely no cooking required, this is it. Perfect for Mother’s Day brunch or a backyard barbecue, it really goes with anything. Pack it in your lunches for the week or pull it out when you want an easy, refreshing, and light snack.

Time needed: 1 hour and 15 minutes

A vibrant array of fresh fruit come together for an elegant, easy, and refreshing dish perfect for any occasion.

Mise en Place
Cut up your fruit. Cut the papaya, watermelon, and pineapple into 1/2″ pieces. Cut the grapes in half.
Mix
Add the fruit to a bowl and gently toss to combine.
Chill
Let the fruit salad refrigerate for an hour. You can make this the day before or earlier in the day.
Serve
Serve as is or as a colorful and fun side.

Substitutions for Easy Tropical Fruit Salad

This combination of fruit works well together for the balance of both flavors but also sweetness. However you can swap out the fruit for different varieties that have a similar flavor profile. Here are some ideas.

Melon – Use your favorite melon such as cantaloupe or honeydew in place of the watermelon.
Mango – Instead of papaya, use a ripe mango.
Blackberries – No blueberries? No problem! Blackberries are a great alternative.

Storage

This salad is best served chilled. Keep it covered in an airtight container in the refrigerator and it will last for up to four days. It does become more watery as it sits but is still incredibly delicious.

How to Pick and Cut a Papaya

Touching and appearance are the easiest ways to tell if your papaya is ripe. Look for papayas with skin that is turning from green to yellow. When you press gently on the skin, you should be able to press into the flesh.

To cut your pineapple, cut it in half. Use a spoon or melon baller to carefully remove the seeds. The seeds are actually edible, having a spicy flavor similar to mustard or peppercorns, and can be added to things like salad.

Use a sharp knife or vegetable peeler to remove the skin from the papaya. Slice your papaya into slices like an avocado, or for this recipe into chunks.

Top Tip for Easy Tropical Fruit Salad

If your fruit isn’t quite sweet enough, give it a little drizzle of honey and toss to combine. If it’s a little too sweet, add a squeeze of fresh lime juice to balance the flavors.