If you’re looking for a refreshing, vibrant side that perfectly complements your holiday feast, this Thanksgiving Fruit Salad is an absolute must-try. Juicy apples, zesty citrus, toasted pecans, and sweet dried cranberries come together with a warm spiced dressing that brings out the very best of fall flavors. It’s not just a fruit salad; it’s a celebration of textures and tastes that brighten up any Thanksgiving table and leave everyone asking for seconds.

Thanksgiving Fruit Salad Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of this Thanksgiving Fruit Salad lies in its wonderfully simple and wholesome ingredients. Each one plays a crucial role in creating the balance of sweetness, crunch, and tang that makes this dish so irresistible.

Green apples: Crisp and slightly tart, they add a refreshing crunch to the mix.
Red apples: A sweeter counterpart to green apples, enhancing color and flavor variety.
Dried cranberries: Their chewy texture and tartness are essential for that festive pop.
Pecans: Toasted to perfection, these nuts add a rich nuttiness and satisfyingly crunchy bite.
Grapes: Bursting with juicy sweetness, they keep the salad lively and fresh.
Navel oranges: Their bright segments bring juicy citrus notes and great color contrast.
Lemon (juiced): Prevents the apples from browning and adds a subtle tang.
Orange juice: Forms the base of the lightly sweetened, spiced dressing.
White sugar: Balances the tartness and lifts the flavors in the dressing.
Apple pie spice: A delicate blend that hints at cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves for warmth.
Lemon zest: Bright fragrance that enhances the citrusy freshness.
Orange zest: Adds depth and a lovely aromatic touch to the dressing.

How to Make Thanksgiving Fruit Salad

Step 1: Toast the Pecans

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and spreading the pecans on a baking sheet. Toasting them releases their oils and intensifies their flavor, giving your salad an irresistible nutty aroma and crunch. Keep an eye on them and remove once you start to smell their toasty goodness, then let them cool before adding.

Step 2: Prepare the Spiced Citrus Dressing

In a small saucepan, combine the orange juice, sugar, apple pie spice, lemon zest, and orange zest. Warm this mixture over medium heat, whisking frequently until it comes to a gentle boil. Allow it to simmer for a few minutes so the flavors meld into a harmonious, aromatic dressing. Strain it through a fine-mesh sieve to remove zest bits and cool completely for the best texture.

Step 3: Prepare and Toss the Fruit

Core and slice both green and red apples into bite-sized pieces. To keep them fresh and prevent browning, toss the apples with lemon juice. Peel the oranges carefully, removing all white pith, and segment into similarly sized pieces. In a large bowl, combine the apples, dried cranberries, toasted pecans, grapes, and orange pieces, creating a beautiful autumnal blend of color and texture.

Step 4: Dress and Combine

Once your spiced citrus dressing has cooled, drizzle it evenly over the fruit and nut mixture. Gently toss everything together so each bite is perfectly coated in that cozy, flavorful dressing. Serve immediately to enjoy the fresh crunch or let it chill slightly to let the flavors marry — either way, this Thanksgiving Fruit Salad is destined to be a star.

How to Serve Thanksgiving Fruit Salad

Garnishes

Adding a few thoughtful garnishes can take your Thanksgiving Fruit Salad to the next level. Consider sprinkling fresh chopped mint or a light dusting of cinnamon for an extra burst of holiday spirit. For a touch of elegance, a handful of pomegranate seeds or a few whole pecans on top add beautiful color and texture contrast.

Side Dishes

This salad pairs beautifully with classic Thanksgiving dishes. Its bright, fresh flavors balance out richer mains like roast turkey or ham, and its refreshing bite complements creamy mashed potatoes or buttery dinner rolls. It’s also a vibrant contrast to heavier dishes, bringing brightness to the plate and seasonality to your meal.

Creative Ways to Present

Want to impress your guests? Serve the Thanksgiving Fruit Salad in hollowed-out oranges or clear glass bowls to showcase the beautiful colors. Individual mason jars are perfect for a casual gathering or buffet. You could even layer the salad with dollops of whipped cream or vanilla yogurt to transform it into a festive parfait that’s as delightful visually as it is delicious.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftovers (which is more common than not), store the Thanksgiving Fruit Salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It’s best enjoyed within two days to preserve the fresh textures and flavors, especially the crunch of the apples and pecans.

Freezing

Freezing this fruit salad isn’t recommended because the fresh fruit tends to become mushy once thawed, and the nuts can lose their crunch. For best results, make it fresh or store leftovers in the fridge only.

Reheating

This salad is best served cold or at room temperature and isn’t intended for reheating. The dressing and fruit shine brightest when fresh, so skip the microwave and enjoy it chilled or just out of the fridge for the perfect balance of flavor and texture.

FAQs

Can I substitute other nuts for pecans?

Absolutely! Walnuts or almonds can work great if pecans aren’t your favorite or if you’re looking for a different crunch and flavor profile. Just toast them similarly to bring out their best flavor.

Is this salad suitable for a vegan diet?

Yes, the Thanksgiving Fruit Salad is naturally vegan since it contains only fruit, nuts, and a simple spiced dressing made without animal products.

Can I prepare this salad a day ahead?

You can prepare most of it a day ahead, but to keep apples from browning, toss them with lemon juice right before combining everything. Store the dressing separately and add it just before serving for the freshest taste.

What if I don’t have apple pie spice?

No worries! You can make a quick blend of ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of cloves to mimic the warmth of apple pie spice in the dressing.

Can I add yogurt or whipped cream to this salad?

Definitely, adding a dollop of vanilla yogurt or lightly sweetened whipped cream can turn it into a creamy, dessert-like treat that complements the crisp fruit perfectly.

Final Thoughts

This Thanksgiving Fruit Salad is one of those dishes that effortlessly brings warmth, color, and joy to your holiday table. Its perfect balance of textures and flavors makes it a crowd favorite, whether as a side dish or a light dessert. Give this recipe a try—your taste buds and your guests will thank you for it.

Thanksgiving Fruit Salad Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

5.3 from 19 reviews

A refreshing and vibrant Thanksgiving fruit salad combining crisp apples, juicy oranges, sweet grapes, tart dried cranberries, and toasted pecans, all tossed in a spiced citrus dressing. This salad brings a perfect balance of sweet, tart, and nutty flavors to your holiday table and is a delightful, healthy addition to any festive meal.

Author: Lena
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Category: Side Dish
Method: Toasting, Mixing, Simmering
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale

Fruits

2 medium green apples, cored and sliced into bite-sized pieces
2 medium red apples, cored and sliced into bite-sized pieces
1 cup grapes, halved if large
3 medium navel oranges, peeled and cut into bite-sized pieces
¾ cup dried cranberries

Nuts

1 cup pecans

Dressing

½ cup orange juice
¼ cup white sugar
¼ teaspoon apple pie spice
Zest of 1 lemon
Zest of 1 orange
Juice of 1 medium lemon (used partly to toss apples)

Instructions

Toast Pecans: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Place pecans evenly on a baking sheet and put them in the oven as it heats. Toast them until fragrant, about 5-7 minutes, then remove and let cool.
Prepare Dressing: In a small saucepan, combine orange juice, sugar, apple pie spice, lemon zest, and orange zest. Place over medium heat and whisk to blend all ingredients smoothly. Bring to a low boil and let simmer for 3-4 minutes to meld flavors.
Strain and Cool Dressing: Remove the saucepan from heat and strain the dressing through a fine mesh strainer to remove zest and spice bits. Allow the dressing to cool completely.
Prepare Apples: Core and slice both green and red apples into bite-sized pieces. Toss the apple slices with juice from half the lemon to prevent them from browning and maintain freshness.
Prepare Oranges: Peel the oranges carefully, removing all white pith, and cut the segments into bite-sized pieces.
Combine Fruit and Nuts: In a large mixing bowl, combine the prepared apples, dried cranberries, toasted pecans, grapes, and orange pieces.
Dress and Toss: Drizzle the cooled spiced citrus dressing over the fruit and nuts. Gently toss everything together until evenly coated with the dressing.
Serve: Transfer the fruit salad to a serving dish or individual bowls and serve immediately or chill briefly before serving for extra refreshment.

Notes

Toast the pecans carefully to avoid burning — they should be aromatic and slightly darker, not blackened.
Lemon juice on apples is crucial to prevent browning and keep the salad looking fresh.
The apple pie spice in the dressing adds warmth and a subtle autumn flavor; you can substitute with a mixture of cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice if unavailable.
For a vegan version, ensure the sugar used is vegan-friendly.
To make ahead, prepare and chill the dressing separately and toast the pecans in advance; assemble just before serving.