Discover the ultimate creamy fruit salad recipe that will become the star of every potluck, picnic, and family gathering. This isn’t just any fruit salad; it’s a vibrant medley of fresh, juicy fruits tossed in a luxuriously smooth and tangy dressing that perfectly balances sweetness. Forget watery, bland fruit salads. We’re diving into a recipe that is rich, refreshing, and incredibly simple to whip up. It’s the perfect make-ahead side dish or light dessert that everyone will ask you for.
Whether you need a quick dish for a summer BBQ or a festive addition to your holiday table, this recipe is your new go-to. It’s colorful, packed with flavor, and has a delightful texture that is simply irresistible. Let’s make the best fruit salad you’ve ever had!
Why This Is The Best Creamy Fruit Salad Recipe
There are countless fruit salad recipes out there, but this one truly stands out. The secret is in the dressing. It’s a perfectly balanced blend of creamy, sweet, and tangy notes that elevates the fresh fruit without overpowering it. This recipe is designed for maximum flavor and perfect texture, ensuring it’s a crowd-pleaser every single time.
- Perfectly Balanced Dressing: The dressing is the heart of this recipe, made with a simple base that’s both rich and refreshing. It coats every piece of fruit beautifully.
- Incredibly Versatile: Use your favorite in-season fruits! This recipe works wonderfully with a mix of berries, melons, and tropical fruits.
- Quick and Easy to Make: With minimal prep and no cooking required, you can have this stunning salad ready in just 15 minutes.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: This is the perfect dish to prepare in advance, making party planning a breeze. We’ll share the best tips to keep it fresh.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this creamy fruit salad recipe lies in its simplicity and flexibility. Here’s what you’ll need for the classic version, but feel free to customize based on what’s fresh and available.
For the Fruit Salad:
- Grapes: 2 cups, red and green, halved
- Pineapple: 1 can (20 ounces) pineapple tidbits, drained very well
- Mandarin Oranges: 2 cans (11 ounces each), drained very well
- Strawberries: 1 pound, hulled and quartered
- Blueberries: 1 cup, fresh
- Mini Marshmallows: 1 ½ cups
For the Creamy Dressing:
- Cream Cheese: 8 ounces, softened to room temperature
- Powdered Sugar: ½ cup
- Vanilla Extract: 1 teaspoon
- Reserved Pineapple Juice: 2 tablespoons (from the canned pineapple)
How to Make Creamy Fruit Salad Step-By-Step
Ready to assemble the most delicious fruit salad? Just follow these simple steps. The key is to handle the fruit gently and ensure your dressing is smooth before combining.
- Prepare the Dressing: In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and reserved pineapple juice. Use an electric hand mixer to beat the mixture on medium speed until it’s completely smooth and creamy. This step is crucial for avoiding lumps.
- Combine the Fruits: In a separate, even larger bowl, gently add the halved grapes, drained pineapple tidbits, drained mandarin oranges, quartered strawberries, and fresh blueberries.
- Add the Dressing: Pour the prepared creamy dressing over the fruit. Using a rubber spatula, gently fold everything together until all the fruit is evenly coated in the dressing. Be careful not to mash the softer fruits like the strawberries and oranges.
- Fold in Marshmallows: Gently fold in the mini marshmallows until they are just combined.
- Chill Before Serving: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour. This allows the flavors to meld together and the salad to chill properly. For best results, chill for 4 hours.
Pro Tips for the Perfect Fruit Salad
Want to take your fruit salad from great to absolutely unforgettable? Here are a few expert tips to ensure success every single time.
- Drain Fruit Thoroughly: To prevent a watery salad, make sure you drain the canned pineapple and mandarin oranges extremely well. You can even pat them gently with a paper towel.
- Soften the Cream Cheese: Room temperature cream cheese is essential for a smooth, lump-free dressing. Take it out of the fridge at least an hour before you start.
- Add Bananas Last: If you want to add bananas, slice and fold them in just before serving to prevent them from browning and getting mushy. A little lemon juice can also help.
- Gentle Folding is Key: Use a large spatula and a gentle hand when combining the fruit with the dressing to keep the delicate pieces intact.
Delicious Variations to Try
One of the best things about this creamy fruit salad recipe is how easy it is to customize. Try some of these popular variations to make it your own!
Add a Little Crunch
For a delightful textural contrast, consider adding a handful of chopped pecans, walnuts, or toasted shredded coconut. Fold them in just before serving to keep them crunchy.
Tropical Twist
Introduce more tropical flavors by adding diced mango, kiwi, or passion fruit. You can also swap the vanilla extract for a teaspoon of coconut extract in the dressing for a piña colada vibe. If you love tropical flavors, you might also enjoy this Coconut Pineapple Rice recipe as a savory side.
Lighter Dressing Option
If you prefer a lighter dressing, you can substitute the cream cheese with an equal amount of full-fat Greek yogurt. You may need to adjust the powdered sugar to your desired sweetness level. This is a great way to add extra protein.
How to Store Creamy Fruit Salad
Proper storage is key to enjoying your fruit salad for more than a day. Due to the dairy-based dressing and fresh fruit, this salad must be kept refrigerated. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Keep in mind that the marshmallows may soften and the fruit will release more juices over time, so it’s best enjoyed within the first 48 hours. I do not recommend freezing this salad, as it will ruin the texture of the fruit and the dressing.
Serving Suggestions
This creamy fruit salad is a versatile dish that fits in anywhere. Serve it as a refreshing side dish at your next summer cookout, alongside main courses like Grilled BBQ Chicken Thighs. It’s also a fantastic addition to a holiday brunch spread or as a standalone light dessert. For dessert lovers, it pairs wonderfully with simple treats like our Easy Thanksgiving Cookies.
FAQs About This Recipe
Yes! This recipe is perfect for making ahead. You can prepare it up to 24 hours in advance. For the best texture, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The flavors will meld together beautifully.
While the cream cheese dressing is classic, you can make a lighter version using Greek yogurt or a dressing with a vanilla pudding base. However, the cream cheese base provides the richest flavor and texture.
The key is to drain your canned fruits (like pineapple and mandarin oranges) very thoroughly. You can even gently pat them dry with a paper towel before adding them to the bowl. Also, add fruits with high water content, like watermelon, just before serving.
Properly stored in an airtight container, this fruit salad will last for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. The texture is best within the first 48 hours as the fruit will release more juices over time.
This recipe is very versatile! You can add other fruits like sliced bananas (add just before serving), kiwi, mango, or halved cherries. Just be mindful of using fruits that hold their shape well.
Enjoy This Crowd-Pleasing Recipe!
This creamy fruit salad recipe is a guaranteed hit for any occasion. It’s refreshing, delicious, and so easy to prepare. Give it a try, and let me know how you liked it in the comments below. For more amazing recipes, be sure to follow us on Pinterest!
Creamy Fruit Salad Recipe
Creamy Fruit Salad Recipe (Quick & Easy)
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and reserved pineapple juice. Use an electric hand mixer to beat the mixture on medium speed until it's completely smooth and creamy.
- In a separate, even larger bowl, gently add the halved grapes, drained pineapple tidbits, drained mandarin oranges, quartered strawberries, and fresh blueberries.
- Pour the prepared creamy dressing over the fruit. Using a rubber spatula, gently fold everything together until all the fruit is evenly coated.
- Gently fold in the mini marshmallows until they are just combined.
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least one hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
Notes
For best results, let the salad chill for at least 4 hours before serving.
Add bananas or chopped nuts just before serving to maintain the best texture.
