Description
This Thanksgiving Fruit Salad is a vibrant and refreshing mix of apples, oranges, grapes, dried cranberries, and pecans, all tossed in a sweet and tangy citrus dressing infused with apple pie spice and citrus zest. Perfect as a light side dish or healthy dessert for your holiday table, it offers a perfect balance of sweetness and tartness with a delightful crunch.
Ingredients
Scale
Fruits
- 2 medium green apples
- 2 medium red apples
- 1 cup grapes
- 3 medium navel oranges
Dried Fruits & Nuts
- ¾ cup dried cranberries
- 1 cup pecans
Dressing
- 1 medium lemon (juiced)
- ½ cup orange juice
- ¼ cup white sugar
- ¼ tsp apple pie spice
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Zest of 1 orange
Instructions
- Prepare the fruit: Core and dice the green and red apples into bite-sized pieces, ensuring you keep the skin on for texture and color. Peel the navel oranges, removing all pith, and segment them or cut into chunks. Wash and halve the grapes as desired.
- Mix the dressing: In a small bowl, combine the fresh lemon juice, orange juice, white sugar, and apple pie spice. Whisk the mixture until the sugar dissolves completely. Stir in the zest of the lemon and orange to infuse fresh citrus aroma and flavor.
- Combine all ingredients: In a large salad bowl, gently toss together the diced apples, orange segments, grapes, dried cranberries, and pecans. Pour the prepared citrus dressing over the fruit mixture and gently fold to coat evenly without bruising the fruit.
- Chill before serving: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the fruit to chill. Serve cold as a refreshing side dish or dessert.
Notes
- For a crunchy texture, toast the pecans lightly before adding to the salad.
- You can substitute pecans with walnuts or almonds depending on preference or allergies.
- Use honey or maple syrup instead of sugar for a natural sweetener alternative.
- This salad is best served the same day but can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
- Adjust the amount of apple pie spice to suit your taste for a milder or stronger warm spice note.
