Description
This Peach Berry Fruit Salad is a vibrant and refreshing summer recipe that combines ripe peaches and a variety of fresh berries with a light honey-lime dressing and fresh mint. Perfect as a healthy dessert or a side dish, it’s quick to prepare and bursting with flavor and color.
Ingredients
Scale
Fruit
- 4 ripe peaches, pitted and sliced
- 1 pint fresh blueberries
- 1 pint fresh raspberries
- 1 pint fresh strawberries, hulled and halved (or quartered if large)
- 1/2 cup fresh blackberries
Dressing
- 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 2 tablespoons honey (adjust to taste)
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1/2 teaspoon lime zest
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Other
- 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, chopped
- Optional: 1/4 cup toasted slivered almonds for garnish
Instructions
- Wash the Berries: Gently rinse all the berries (blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, and blackberries) under cool water to clean them without bruising.
- Prepare the Strawberries: Hull the strawberries by removing the green tops, then halve or quarter them depending on size for bite-sized pieces.
- Slice the Peaches: Pit the peaches and slice them into wedges or thin slices to complement the berries.
- Chop the Mint: Rinse, dry thoroughly, and chop the fresh mint leaves to add a refreshing herbal note.
- Combine Dressing Ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together fresh lime juice, honey, water, lime zest, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt until smooth.
- Taste and Adjust: Taste the dressing and adjust sweetness or tartness by adding more honey or lime juice as preferred.
- Combine the Fruit: In a large bowl, gently combine the sliced peaches with the blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, and blackberries, mixing carefully to avoid crushing the berries.
- Add the Mint: Sprinkle the chopped mint leaves evenly over the mixed fruit for aroma and flavor.
- Drizzle with Dressing: Pour the honey-lime dressing evenly over the fruit mixture.
- Toss Gently: Gently toss the fruit salad using a large spoon or spatula to coat all the fruit with the dressing without breaking the berries.
- Chill (Optional): Cover and refrigerate the fruit salad for at least 30 minutes to let flavors meld and serve chilled.
- Garnish (Optional): Just before serving, sprinkle toasted slivered almonds over the salad for a crunchy texture contrast.
Notes
- Use ripe, fresh fruit for the best flavor and texture.
- Gently handle the berries to prevent bruising and mushiness.
- Chilling the salad allows the dressing flavors to meld nicely, but it can also be served immediately.
- Almond garnish is optional and can be omitted or substituted with other nuts or seeds for allergy considerations.
- This salad is best enjoyed within a day of preparation to maintain fruit freshness.
