Winter Fruit Salad with Orange Poppy Seed Dressing

Tangy citrus and other seasonal fruit are tossed in a sweet dressing made with fresh squeezed orange juice and just a touch of honey! It’s a refreshing change of pace from all those hearty winter meals!

Just because these winter months are cold and gloomy, doesn’t mean we can’t have a fresh and bright fruit salad, right?! My thoughts exactly! Which is why I’ve been loving this winter fruit salad with orange poppy seed dressing so much lately! It’s so light and refreshing and such a great contrast to those hearty meals we all love during this time of the year. Plus it’s a piece of cake to put together too!

Ingredients

• Oranges: I love using navel or heirloom navel oranges for this salad because they’re so sweet and juicy! (You can also replace them with mandarins too!)
• Strawberries: I love using strawberries that have a dark red color to them because they tend to be much sweeter.
• Kiwis: Look for kiwis that are slightly soft when you give them a gentle squeeze. If they’re too hard then they’re under ripe and can be very sour.
• Blueberries: Look for blueberries that are plump and slightly firm. (We want them to a little bit to them so make sure they aren’t mushy!)
• Pomegranate seeds: Can use fresh or prepackaged seeds. If using fresh, look for pomegranates that have a smooth skin with a deep dark red color. (If the skin is wrinkly that means they’re getting old.)
• Fresh orange juice: I wouldn’t suggest using store-bought orange juice for this because they tend to have a lot of added sweetener. For the best results, I would use the same oranges that you’re actually putting in your salad.
• Honey: Adds a little bit of sweetness and ties all of your fruit flavors together!
• Poppy seeds: Adds a very subtle flavor to your salad and makes it look so pretty too!

I always love citrus season at Sprouts because they have such a large variety of unique citrus that I can’t find anywhere else. Just like these vintage heirloom navel oranges! They’re a little sweeter in flavor and easier to peel than most oranges which makes them perfect for snacking and adding to salads!

How to make winter fruit salad

1. Whisk your orange juice, honey and poppy seeds together in a small bowl. Then place it in the fridge to chill while you make the rest of your salad.
2. Cut all of your fruit and add it to a large bowl.
3. Drizzle your desired amount of dressing over the top and toss your salad until it’s completely coated.
4. Serve immediately or place it in the fridge to chill until you’re ready to eat.

How easy is that right?!

Can I use frozen fruit?

I wouldn’t suggest using frozen fruit for this because it contains A LOT of moisture. When your fruit thaws it can be very mushy which wouldn’t hold up well when it’s mixed with the other ingredients. Fresh fruit is always the best option for a fruit salad!

Can I make this in advance?

Absolutely! Usually if I’m making this ahead of time I’ll keep the fruit and dressing separate so the salad doesn’t get too “soggy”. (Your fruit flavors can get a little “muddled” if they’ve been sitting in your dressing for a few days.) For the best results, try having this salad as close to preparing it as possible!

More recipes you might like:

• Citrus & Pomegranate Kale Salad (One of my most popular recipes on the blog!)
• Chopped Apple & Mandarin Salad with Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing
• Avocado, Tomato & Mozzarella Salad
• Strawberry Kale Salad with Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing
• Watermelon, Blueberry & Feta Salad
• Summer Corn Salad with Avocado

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