July 4 Fruit Salad

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As you prepare for your 4th of July celebrations, you might be looking for a delicious and festive dish to share with your friends and family. A colorful, patriotic July 4 fruit salad is the perfect way to incorporate the holiday spirit into your menu.

Combining seasonal fruits in red, white, and blue hues, this delightful dish is not only visually appealing but also packed with nutrients and bursting with flavor. The perfect July 4 fruit salad.

Healthy Fruit Salad served in a glass bowl on the table.

Creating a 4th of July fruit salad is as simple as choosing a mix of your favorite fruits that represent the iconic colors of the American flag. For the red fruits, consider using watermelon, strawberries, or raspberries. For white, you can incorporate peeled and cubed apples or sliced bananas.

This was inspired by my July 4 Fruit Kabobs and July 4 Fruit Platter recipes on this site and pairs well with this air fryer candied walnut recipe.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

Easy to prepare: This salad doesn't require any complicated steps or cooking techniques, making it a quick and simple dish to create.
Patriotic theme: With red, white, and blue colors represented by a variety of fruits, this salad is a perfect addition to your Independence Day celebration.
Customizable: You have the freedom to choose your favorite fruits and adjust the ingredients to cater to your taste preferences and dietary needs.
Crowd-pleaser: This recipe is sure to be a hit with both kids and adults. The combination of juicy, sweet fruits will make everyone keep coming back for more.
Adaptable for other occasions: You can easily swap out fruits to match the theme of different holidays or celebrations, ensuring that this recipe remains a go-to favorite all year round.

Ingredients

It only takes a few simple ingredients to make this recipe. It just takes a quick trip to the produce and refrigerated sections of your grocery store.

Strawberries
Blueberries
Raspberries
Blackberries
Mini marshmallows
Vanilla yogurt

Substitutions and Variations

Try adding apples, pears or bananas for a pop of white in this patriotic fruit salad instead of marshmallows.
You can add any of your favorite fruits to this recipe.
Try adding nuts and/or cheese like feta or goat cheese.
Add chopped fresh mint or citrus zest for an added burst of flavor.
Layer your fruit in a glass serving bowl, alternating between red, white, and blue layers before adding yogurt.
Try using star cookie cutters to shape watermelon or other fruits. Make sure to choose a cookie cutter that is about 1" thick for the best visual effect. First, slice the fruit into thin pieces, and then use the cookie cutter to cut out stars.

Instructions

This healthy fruit salad only takes a few minutes from start to finish. You'll be in and out of the kitchen in no time! The highlights are here, but you'll find the exact instructions in the recipe card at the end of the post.

1: Mix the fruit and marshmallows together.

Fresh fruits placed inside a large glass bowl.

Marshmallows added to the fruits inside the large glass bowl.

2: Mix in the yogurt. Enjoy!

Fruits and marshmallows gently mixed using a grey spatula.

Yogurt added to the fruit and marshmallow mixture inside the glass bowl.

Hint: Be gentle when mixing so you don't smush your berries.

If you love recipes like this, you may also enjoy this old fashioned fruit salad.

Closeup photo of the completed Healthy Fruit Salad served inside a white bowl.

Storage

Refrigerator: Store for up to 2 days in an air-tight container.

Freezer: This fruit salad won't freeze well.

Make Ahead: This fruit salad is best when served the same day, but you can make it in the morning and serve it later in the day, adding yogurt right before serving.

Leftovers: Blend fruit and yogurt together to make a smoothie, add to fruit cup, or put on top of cereal or ice cream.

What to Serve with Fruit Salad

Fruit salad is wonderful when served with nuts or granola. It's also a wonderful dessert to pair with almost any dish you'll find at any backyard BBQ, cookout, or potluck.

Tips

Pick fruits that are in season so they look and taste great and usually cost less
Balance your fruit salad with a mix of colors, flavors, and textures.
Make sure to wash and dry your fruits thoroughly JUST BEFORE you make the fruit salad.
Fruit salad is best served cold, so be sure to refrigerate it for at least an hour before serving.
If using fruit that oxidizes quickly, like apples or bananas, toss them in a bit of lemon juice to prevent browning.
Serve your fruit salad in a patriotic bowl or platter, or use a hollowed-out watermelon.

FAQ

Are there keto-friendly options for a 4th of July fruit salad?

Yes, there are keto-friendly fruit salad options for your 4th of July celebrations. Focus on low-carb fruits like raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries, and avoid high-carb options like pineapple or grapes. You can also include real whipped cream instead of yogurt as a dressing for this fruit salad.

What ingredients can make a fruit salad festive for Independence Day?

In addition to using red, white, and blue fruits, consider adding star-shaped cutouts of watermelon or apple slices for a patriotic touch. You could also sprinkle the salad with edible star-shaped glitter or incorporate festive skewers for serving individual portions.

How long should I refrigerate the fruit salad before serving?

Ideally, keep your fruit salad chilled for at least an hour, no more than 2 before adding yogurt and serving. This will allow the flavors to blend and the fruits to stay fresh.

How can I prevent fruit from browning?

To keep cut fruit looking fresh, toss it with a bit of lemon, lime, or orange juice, which contains citric acid that helps prevent browning. Alternatively, you can combine the fruit with a citrus dressing to keep it looking great.

Which fruits should I avoid in my fruit salad?

It's best to avoid fruits that brown quickly, such as apples and pears, or fruits with a high water content that can make your salad soggy, like ripe peaches or plums.

Closeup photo of a spoonful of Healthy Fruit Salad.

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