Looking for a refreshing and simple brunch side dish? This Mixed Berry Fruit Salad with a honey lime dressing is the perfect combination of sweet and tangy, just right for breakfast, brunch, or a midday pick-me-up.
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If you are looking for the easiest way to brighten up your breakfast or brunch plate, my Mixed Berry Fruit Salad with Honey Lime Dressing is the answer. Fresh berries are tossed with a tangy dressing made in seconds, giving you a fruit salad that will definitely wake up your taste buds. Make this simple recipe today and see how fast it disappears.
This fresh fruit salad is one of those recipes that feels fancy but could not be easier. A quick shake of honey, lime juice, zest, and thyme transforms even a bowl of out-of-season berries into something delicious. Whether you want to add fruit to a weekday breakfast or brighten up a holiday brunch, this fruit salad is ready in minutes and always a hit.
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Why you'll love this recipe
- Quick - Comes together in just a few minutes with no cooking required.
- Fresh - Bursting with flavor from juicy berries.
- Light - Honey and lime dressing gives sweetness without being heavy.
- Versatile - Perfect for breakfast, brunch, picnics, or as a dessert topper.
- Pretty - A naturally colorful dish that makes any plate look more enticing.
In short, everybody loves a mixed berry salad, and my honey lime dressing is so tangy it will brighten up even out of season fruit. Put the ingredients below on your shopping list now!
This fruit salad would be so good for brunch with a cold glass of this non-alcoholic mint julep on the side.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Check out everything you need to prepare this easy fruit salad recipe, then let me go over the ingredients and how they can be substituted if needed:
- Honey - I always have plenty of honey on hand to make my honey whole wheat bread, but you can use maple syrup or agave nectar if you want a vegan option.
- Lime - Lemon works in a pinch, though lime adds more zing. Orange juice would be delightful!
- Thyme - Fresh mint or basil also pair beautifully with berries.
- Strawberries - Swap with fresh or frozen cherries or peaches if strawberries are not available.
- Mixed Berries - Although frozen berries won't work, any combination of fresh blueberries, blackberries, or raspberries will do the job. You can even add cut pineapple, bananas, or grapes.
See recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
Cynthia's Recipe Review
This fruit salad recipe is my favorite kind of recipe: fresh, simple, and gorgeous. It looks like something you would see on a fancy brunch menu but takes less time than making toast. The honey lime dressing is insane and I cannot get over how the thyme makes everything pop. This is a recipe you will want on repeat all year long.
Quick Recipe Video
Step-by-Step Instructions
Do not stress about making this recipe. It is as simple as shaking up a quick dressing and tossing it with fruit. Just follow these steps and you will be set.
Step 1: Add honey to a small jar. Warm in the microwave for 8 to 10 seconds until it flows easily. Add lime zest, lime juice, and thyme leaves.
Step 2: Place the lid on the jar and shake well until combined.
Step 3: Place strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries in a large mixing bowl.
Step 4: Gently toss with a spatula until everything is coated.
Step 5: Allow to marinate for at least 15 minutes, and no longer than an hour, gently tossing every 5 minutes. Transfer to a serving bowl, garnish with more thyme, and serve.
Cynthia's Helpful Tips
- Choose your fruit carefully - Look for berries that are plump, sweet, and not mushy. Blackberries and raspberries are best when still a little firm. They will take up the dressing and become very flavorful.
- Warm the honey - Just a few seconds in the microwave makes it easier to whisk or shake.
- Be gentle - Raspberries and blackberries are delicate, so toss lightly to avoid crushing them.
- Make ahead - Prep the dressing up to 24 hours ahead and keep chilled. Microwave for a few seconds and then toss with berries right before serving.
- Garnish well - A sprinkle of fresh herbs makes this salad extra beautiful and really does add to the flavor.
Serving suggestion
This fruit salad is the life of the brunch party, but it really shines when it has a few tasty friends. Pile it next to creamy avocado toast, add a side of crispy bacon (because brunch without bacon is just breakfast), and slide in a fluffy French omelette. Together, it is the brunch dream team.
Recipe FAQs
Yes. The salad will be softer and more juicy, but still delicious. Frozen cherries and peaches are amazing in this fruit salad, but thaw them first and drain well.
Make the dressing ahead, but do not toss with berries until right before serving or the fruit will release too much liquid and become mushy.
Absolutely. Mint and basil are wonderful alternatives to thyme and I've even used rosemary, but only the softest you can find and well chopped.
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 day. The berries will soften but still taste great. Bonus: the juices that are released are amazing in iced tea or with sparkling water.
Yes, it is wonderful with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. My Grandma used to serve a dish called Ambrosia that had fruit salad mixed with whipped cream, sweetened coconut flakes, and mini marshmallows. We Southerners are a weird bunch 🤣
Did you try this recipe?
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I appreciate it so much!
-Cynthia
📖 Recipe
Mixed Berry Fruit Salad with Honey Lime Dressing
Recommended Equipment
- Small jar with lid
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons honey warmed
- Zest and juice of 1 lime
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme chopped, plus more for garnish
- 2 cups strawberries halved or quartered
- 1 cup blackberries
- 1 cup raspberries
- 1 cup blueberries
Instructions
- Warm honey in a small jar (one that has a lid) in the microwave for 8 to 10 seconds until fluid.
- Zest and juice the lime into the jar.
- Add thyme and place the lid on the jar. Shake until blended.
- Place strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, and blueberries in a large bowl.
- Pour the dressing over the fruit and gently toss with a spatula. Allow to marinate for at least 15 minutes, up to one hour.
- Garnish with extra thyme and serve immediately.
Save This Recipe! 💌
I'll email this recipe to you, so you can come back to it later, plus you'll get great new recipes from me every week!
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