Winter Fruit Salad with Honey-Citrus Dressing
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Today, I’m sharing with you a bright and colorful Winter Fruit Salad with kiwi, mandarin oranges and pomegranate, drizzled with a light honey-citrus dressing. Perfect for brunch or an easy lunchbox addition, this jewel-toned fruit salad is as beautiful as it is tasty, while adding some much-needed fibre and vitamins to your winter diet.
Kiwi Fruit Salad Recipe
Winter fruit tends to be overlooked with all of the abundant summer produce and fun family traditions surrounding fall apples and pumpkins, but today’s winter fruit salad is here to prove that you can eat seasonally all year round.
Where I live, citrus fruits like oranges, grapefruits and lemons abound in the winter and it’s also the best time of year to enjoy tropical fruits because they are in season in the warmer climates and ship well during our winters. (Fruits like pineapple, mango, papaya, passionfruit, bananas, guava and kiwi.)
I decided to combine a little of both worlds (mine and the tropics) to make a flavorful fruit salad that is hardy enough to get banged around in a lunch box while still being juicy and colorful.
Sometimes, to bring this easy winter fruit salad over the top, I add a simple dressing of honey and orange juice. You can alternatively combine honey with lime juice, or a combination of orange and lime, for a bit more depth of flavor.
Add some brightness and freshness to your winter lunches with juicy mandarin segments, tart kiwi and ruby pomegranate seeds, combined to make a jewel-toned fruit salad that’s both beautiful and beautifully balanced.
Kiwi Fruit Salad Variations
- Minted Citrus Salad: Add a few torn mint leaves for a burst of freshness that complements the honey dressing.
- Winter Yogurt Parfait: Serve over a cup of Greek yogurt (and optionally, top with a couple tablespoons of granola).
- Ginger-Lime Dressing: Swap the orange juice for lime juice and whisk in a pinch of grated fresh ginger for a spicier dressing.
- Tropical Winter Salad: Add cubes of pineapple or mango to introduce even more tropical flavors.
- Coconut Crunch: Sprinkle lightly toasted coconut flakes on top for texture and a hint of warmth.
- Chia Seeds Crunch: Add a tablespoon of chia seeds for crunch and some added fibre and protein.
Winter Fruit Salad FAQs
Can I make this fruit salad ahead of time? Yes, while the kiwi will soften with time, I often prepare enough salad to spread out over a couple days of lunches without issue.
How do I keep the kiwi from turning mushy? Use ripe but firm kiwis and avoid overmixing the salad. Toss gently with a spoon or rubber spatula. (Also, avoid adding the citrus-honey dressing in advance if planning on storing the fruit salad for a couple days.)
What other fruits work well in winter salads? Grapefruit, cranberries or blood oranges can be lovely additions, provided their flavors stay balanced with the kiwi and mandarin.
Tip for Balancing Acidity: If your fruit leans tart, stir an extra teaspoon of honey into the dressing before tossing.
Kitchen Tip: The Fastest Way to Seed a Pomegranate
Skip the tedious picking – this method of removing seeds from a pomegranate keeps the mess minimal and gets every jewel-like seed loose in minutes. Cut the pomegranate in half crosswise (not from stem to tip), hold one half over a large bowl with the cut side facing down, and give the back a few firm whacks with a wooden spoon. Rotate as you go, tapping evenly until the seeds fall free. Remove any bits of white pith, and you’re done.
While not completely necessary, I tend to fill the bowl halfway with water to catch any splashes of juice and prevent the pomegranate tendrils from bouncing out of the bowl.
Ingredients for Winter Fruit Salad
- Kiwi, peeled and quartered
- Mandarin oranges, peeled and segmented
- Pomegranate tendrils
Optional Citrus Dressing:
Scroll down to the printable recipe card for full measurements.
Tip: For a clean presentation, remove all the white pith from the mandarins; it can add bitterness to the salad.
Kitchen Tools You May Find Helpful
- Sharp Kitchen Knife
- Wooden Spoon (for the pomegranate trick)
- Mixing Bowl
- Large Spoon
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
How to Make a Winter Fruit Salad
Peel and chop up kiwi and mandarins. Deseed pomegranate.
Combine kiwi, oranges and pomegranate seeds in a medium bowl.
If using the dressing, drizzle the honey and orange juice over the prepared fruit and toss to coat.
Grab your free printable recipe card for our winter fruit salad recipe:
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Winter Fruit Salad
A flavorful winter fruit salad that is hardy enough to get banged around in a lunch box while still being juicy and colorful. Optionally, add a simple dressing of honey and orange juice to take this winter fruit salad over the top.
Ingredients
- 9 kiwi, peeled and quartered
- 4 mandarin oranges, peeled and segmented
- 1/4 cup pomegranate tendrils
Optional Citrus Dressing:
- 1 Tablespoon honey
- 1 Tablespoon fresh-squeezed orange juice
Instructions
- Peel and chop up kiwi and mandarins. Deseed pomegranate.
- Combine kiwi, oranges and pomegranate seeds in a medium bowl.
- If using the dressing, drizzle the honey and orange juice over the prepared fruit and toss to coat.
Notes
Kitchen Tip: The Fastest Way to Seed a Pomegranate
Skip the tedious picking - this method of removing seeds from a pomegranate keeps the mess minimal and gets every jewel-like seed loose in minutes. Cut the pomegranate in half crosswise (not from stem to tip), hold one half over a large bowl with the cut side facing down, and give the back a few firm whacks with a wooden spoon. Rotate as you go, tapping evenly until the seeds fall free. Remove any bits of white pith, and you’re done.
While not completely necessary, I tend to fill the bowl halfway with water to catch any splashes of juice and prevent the pomegranate tendrils from bouncing out of the bowl.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 32Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gSodium: 0mgCarbohydrates: 8gFiber: 1gSugar: 6gProtein: 0g
Sugar, Spice and Glitter uses an auto-generate nutrition calculator. Nutrition information isn’t always accurate unless analyzed in a scientific lab, so these should be considered more of a guideline than medical information.
I hope your family loves this easy winter fruit salad recipe as much as mine does!
For more delicious salads, check out our full salad recipe collection here:
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What a gorgeous winter fruit salad – the vibrant citrus tones and sweet honey dressing really bring that fresh, wholesome feel. Its the kind of recipe that aligns perfectly with the wellness lifestyle promoted by Jacana Wellness – simple, nourishing, grounded in nature https://jacanawellness.com