Mexican Fruit Salad (Ensalada de Frutas)
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This Mexican Fruit Salad (Ensalada de Frutas) combines a variety of fresh, juicy fruits with a sweet and tangy dressing for a burst of natural flavor and refreshing texture. It’s quick and easy to make in just 10 minutes and perfect for any gathering!
Serve with my Pollo Asado Recipe for Cinco de Mayo or on hot summer days as a refreshing treat. You will also love this Italian Fruit Salad recipe!
Quick Look: Mexican Fruit Salad (Ensalada de Frutas)
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Servings: 8 people
- Dietary Info: Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Vegan
- Method: No-cook
- Technique: Chop fresh fruit into bite-size pieces, then toss gently with lime juice, a sweetener, and chili powder until evenly coated and chilled.
- Flavor & Texture: Bright, juicy, and refreshing with natural sweetness, zesty citrus, and a light chili kick.
Simple, Fresh, And Delicious
On a recent trip to Mexico, I fell in love with the vibrant tropical fruits and couldn’t wait to recreate the refreshing fruit salad we enjoyed there. This simple recipe is inspired by the fresh cups of fruit sold by street vendors and in local markets—always juicy, colorful, and bursting with flavor.
Serve it in individual cups or a large bowl for summer gatherings, barbecues, or an easy dessert everyone will love. It’s one of the most refreshing treats you can make in just minutes!
You’ll love my other fruit-based summer favorites, like Biscuit Strawberry Shortcake and Strawberry Crumble .
Made With Amore,
“This is a family favorite. I make it several times every summer. Always a huge hit!”
– Kathy
Table of Contents
- Quick Look: Mexican Fruit Salad (Ensalada de Frutas)
- Simple, Fresh, And Delicious
- Simple Ingredients
- Variations & Substitutions
- How to Make Mexican Fruit Salad (Ensalada de Frutas)
- Mexican Fruit Salad (Ensalada de Frutas) FAQs
- Serving Suggestions
- Recipe Tips
- More Cinco de Mayo Recipes
- Mexican Fruit Salad Recipe
Simple Ingredients
Ripe fruit will make this delicious Mexican fruit salad outstanding!
- Fresh Fruit (Mango, Papaya, Pineapple, Watermelon) – The star of the salad!
- Orange Juice – Adds natural sweetness and bright citrus flavor to the dressing.
- Fresh Lime Juice and Zest – Brings a zesty, tangy balance that enhances the sweetness of the fruit.
- Fresh Mint – Adds a cooling, refreshing finish.
- Honey – Lightly sweetens the dressing and ties all the flavors together.
See recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Variations & Substitutions
- Spicy Fruit Salad: Add some chopped jalapenos, chili-lime powder, or chili powder to the dressing for a little kick.
- Citrus Fruit Salad: Instead of using oranges and limes in the dressing, try using grapefruits or blood oranges for a tangy twist. Add pomegranate seeds for a burst of sweetness and crunch. Try my Italian Orange Fennel Salad for lunch!
- Berry Fruit Salad: Use a variety of fresh berries like strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries for a colorful and antioxidant-rich salad. You can also add some chopped nuts or granola for added texture. My Berry Goat Cheese Salad with Honey Citrus Dressing pairs great with this.
- Creamy Fruit Salad: Add Greek yogurt, sour cream, sweet cream sauce, sweetened condensed milk, or whipped cream to the dressing for a creamy and indulgent fruit salad.
How to Make Mexican Fruit Salad (Ensalada de Frutas)
The fruit is washed and chopped into bite-sized pieces to make the salad, then mixed together in a large bowl. Follow the step-by step photos and see the recipe card at the bottom for a printable version.
- Wash and chop your fruit into cubes or bite-sized pieces and place them in a large mixing bowl.
- In a separate small mixing bowl, whisk together the orange juice, lime juice and zest, honey, and cinnamon (optional) until well combined.
- Pour the dressing over the fruit and toss gently to combine. Add the chopped mint leaves and toss again.
- Transfer the fruit salad to a serving bowl and sprinkle with any optional toppings you like. You can also serve the fruit salad in a pineapple half for a pretty presentation.
Mexican Fruit Salad (Ensalada de Frutas) FAQs
Mexican fruit salad is also a healthy and nutritious dish, as it contains a variety of vitamins and antioxidants from fresh fruit. Overall, the combination of fresh and flavorful fruits with a sweet and tangy dressing, plus the addition of fresh herbs, make Mexican fruit salad a truly delicious and enjoyable dish.
You can use a variety of fruits in a Mexican fruit salad, such as oranges, pineapples, mangoes, kiwi, strawberries, and papaya. Choose fruits that are in season and ripe for the best flavor.
While fresh fruits are preferred, you can use canned fruits in a pinch. Just make sure to drain and rinse the fruits before using them in the salad.
To make ahead, prepare the dressing and store it separately from the fruit. When ready to serve, toss the fruit with the dressing. To store, cover the fruit salad with plastic wrap or an airtight container to prevent it from drying out or absorbing odors from other foods. It’s best eaten within a few days.
Serving Suggestions
I love serving this fresh and vibrant Mexican fruit salad as a light starter with my Jalapeno Corn Dip before enjoying dishes like Tacos al Pastor, Creamy White Chicken Enchiladas, or Shrimp Ceviche with Avocado. If you want to serve another sweet treat with your meal, try Crostata di Frutta for a beautiful, fruity dessert that keeps the fresh flavors going!
My Pro Tips
Recipe Tips
- Choose ripe and fresh fruits: For the best flavor and texture, choose ripe and fresh fruits. Fruits that are in season will be sweeter and juicier.
- Cut the fruit into bite-sized pieces: Cut the fruit into bite-sized pieces so they are easy to eat and mix with the dressing.
- Mix up the fruits: Mix up the fruits for a variety of colors, textures, and flavors. Some good options include oranges, pineapples, strawberries, kiwis, mango, and papaya.
- Chill before serving: Chill the fruit salad for at least an hour before serving. This will allow the flavors to meld and the salad to become even more refreshing.
More Cinco de Mayo Recipes
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Mexican Fruit Salad
Ingredients
- 2 cups mango, cut into cubes
- 2 cups papaya, cut into cubes
- 2 cups pineapple, cut into cubes
- 2 cups watermelon, cut into cubes
- 2 cups kiwis, sliced
- ½ cup fresh squeezed orange juice
- Juice and zest of 1 lime
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon fresh mint, cut into thin strips
- 1 teaspoon honey
Optional:
- ½ cup unsweetened coconut flakes
- Chile-lime salt, such as Tajin, to taste
- Chopped nuts, such as almonds or pecans, shredded coconut, or whipped cream
Instructions
- Wash and chop your fruit into cubes or bite-sized pieces and place them in a large mixing bowl.
- In a separate small mixing bowl, whisk together the orange juice, lime juice and zest, honey, and cinnamon (optional) until well combined.
- Pour the dressing over the fruit and toss gently to combine.
- Add the chopped mint leaves and toss again.
- Transfer the fruit salad to a serving bowl and sprinkle with any optional toppings you like. You can also serve the fruit salad in a pineapple half for a pretty presentation.
- Serve immediately and enjoy your delicious Mexican fruit salad!
Notes
- Choose ripe and fresh fruits: For the best flavor and texture, choose ripe and fresh fruits. Fruits that are in season will be sweeter and juicier.
- Cut the fruit into bite-sized pieces: Cut the fruit into bite-sized pieces so they are easy to eat and mix with the dressing.
- Mix up the fruits: Mix up the fruits for a variety of colors, textures, and flavors. Some good options include oranges, pineapples, strawberries, kiwis, mango, and papaya.
- Chill before serving: Chill the fruit salad for at least an hour before serving. This will allow the flavors to meld and the salad to become even more refreshing.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This is a family favorite. I make it several times every summer. Always a huge hit!
Yes! Always a hot hit when we make it as well. Have you tried the Italian fruit salad version? You will love it!
Fresh and tasty! You will love the tropical taste of this yummy fruit salad. Enjoy.