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Easy Autumn Fruit Salad with Honey Lime Dressing

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A simple yet elegant autumn fruit salad featuring crisp apples, juicy pears, and pomegranate arils, all tossed in a light honey lime dressing with warm spices. Perfect for fall gatherings or a quick, healthy side dish.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 medium apples, cored and diced (Honeycrisp or Fuji recommended)
  • 2 medium Bosc pears, cored and diced
  • 1 cup pomegranate arils (from about 1 large pomegranate)
  • 1 cup red seedless grapes, halved
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries (unsweetened if preferred)
  • 1/4 cup chopped pecans, toasted (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice (for tossing fruit)
  • 3 tablespoons honey (mild variety like clover or orange blossom)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (for dressing)
  • 1 teaspoon lime zest
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • Pinch of sea salt

Instructions

  1. Wash all fruit thoroughly. Core and dice apples into 1/2-inch cubes (skin on or off as desired). Do the same with pears. Place diced apples and pears in a large mixing bowl and immediately toss with 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice to prevent browning.
  2. Halve grapes lengthwise. If using a whole pomegranate, score the skin around the middle, break apart over a bowl of water, separate arils (they sink, pith floats), and drain. Add arils, dried cranberries, and halved grapes to the bowl. If using pecans, toast in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes until fragrant, then let cool before adding.
  3. In a small bowl or mason jar, combine honey, 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice, lime zest, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, and a pinch of sea salt. Whisk or shake until honey is fully incorporated and dressing is smooth. Taste and adjust sweetness or tang as desired.
  4. Pour dressing over fruit mixture. Gently fold with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula until all fruit is evenly coated. Be careful not to break pomegranate arils or mush pears.
  5. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 15-20 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld. Do not let sit longer than 2 hours to maintain texture.
  6. Just before serving, give salad a gentle stir. Garnish with reserved pomegranate arils and toasted pecans if desired. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Notes

For a vegan version, substitute honey with maple syrup or agave nectar. To keep fruit from browning, toss apples and pears immediately with lime juice. Toast nuts for best flavor. Dressing can be made ahead and stored at room temperature; combine with fruit no more than an hour before serving. For a lower-sugar option, use sugar-free honey substitute and reduce dried cranberries to 1/4 cup.

Nutrition

Keywords: autumn fruit salad, honey lime dressing, fall salad, fruit salad recipe, easy fruit salad, Thanksgiving side dish, healthy fruit salad

Find it online: https://lucastable.com/easy-autumn-fruit-salad-with-honey-lime-dressing/