Festive Fruit Salad Recipe for Thanksgiving Dinner
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This Thanksgiving, impress your guests with a vibrant and delicious fruit salad. It’s made from scratch, with no artificial ingredients. It’s a perfect side dish for your feast.
This recipe uses natural flavors, not Jell-O or Cool-Whip. You’ll enjoy pineapple, mandarin oranges, cherries, grapes, and bananas. These fruits make your dinner table festive and fresh.
The salad also has marshmallows for a unique twist. Overnight, they become soft and sponge-like. This adds a delightful texture.
There’s also a pineapple custard that makes the salad creamy. It perfectly complements the fresh fruit.
This fruit salad is not just tasty but also beautiful. Its colors and aroma are sure to capture attention at any Thanksgiving dinner.
Looking for a standout fruit salad for Thanksgiving? This recipe combines amazing flavors and textures. It’s sure to be a hit every Thanksgiving.
Ingredients and Preparation
To whip up this festive fruit salad, gather a bunch of tasty ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need for the fruit mix:
- Pineapple tidbits
- Jarred cherries
- Mandarin oranges
- Grapes
- Marshmallows
- Whipped cream
- Bananas
- A green apple
The highlight of this salad is the homemade pineapple custard. For the custard, gather these items:
- Pineapple juice
- Lemon juice
- Sugar
- Egg yolks
- Cornstarch
- Butter
Got everything? Great! Let’s start putting our fruit salad together.
Step 1: Mix pineapple juice, lemon juice, sugar, egg yolks, and cornstarch in a saucepan. Whisk everything until it’s smooth.
Pro tip: Use freshly squeezed pineapple juice and lemon juice for maximum flavor.
Step 2: Cook over medium heat, stirring non-stop. Keep going until the mix thickens and starts to boil.
Step 3: Once thick, take the saucepan off the heat. Mix in the butter until it’s all smooth.
Step 4: Let the pineapple custard cool down completely before you do anything else.
Step 5: Take a large bowl and mix in the pineapple tidbits, cherries, mandarin oranges, grapes, and marshmallows.
Step 6: Next, blend in the cool pineapple custard and whipped cream gently. Make sure it’s all evenly mixed.
Step 7: Cover the bowl with plastic and chill the fruit salad. Keep it in the fridge overnight or for at least 6 hours.
Step 8: Before serving, slice the bananas and chop up the green apple. Add these to the salad and gently mix.
Your festive fruit salad is now ready to enjoy! It’s packed with juicy fruits, rich pineapple custard, and fluffy whipped cream. It’s perfect as a refreshing side or a yummy dessert for Thanksgiving dinner.
Tips and Variations
Creating a festive fruit salad for Thanksgiving dinner is fun. There are many tips and variations to explore. Whether you need fruit salad tips, a recipe, or info on calories and nutrients, we’ve got you covered.
Adding marshmallows to your fruit salad makes it sweeter and more festive. For the best flavor, let the salad sit for at least 6 hours. This allows the marshmallows to soften and blend with the other ingredients.
Use jarred or canned cherries in juice instead of cherry pie filling. The juice adds a burst of flavor that complements the other fruits.
This versatile recipe lets you use any fruit you have. While it suggests apples like Honeycrisp and Gala, feel free to try other kinds. Adding pears like Bosc and D’Anjou brings a nice texture and subtle sweetness.
Adding grapes, both red and green, brings a refreshing flavor and color to the salad. Oranges, especially Navel oranges, add a citrusy tang. They can be used in segments and in the dressing.
Don’t forget to add pecans in halves for a crunchy, nutty flavor. They go well with the fruits and enrich the salad.
The dressing is crucial. It uses honey, apple pie spice, and Maldon sea salt flakes. These enhance the fruit’s flavors, adding sweetness and a hint of warmth.
Feel free to add your own twist. Substitute walnuts for pecans, try mandarin oranges instead of Navel, or add dried cranberries for more flavor. The possibilities are limitless.
This recipe makes about 8 servings, each with around 166 calories. It’s a healthy, tasty addition to your Thanksgiving.
For more fruit salad ideas, visit these links:
With these tips, you can make a vibrant, delicious fruit salad for Thanksgiving. Enjoy!
Conclusion
Make your Thanksgiving dinner special with this bright, flavorful fruit salad. It’s super easy to make. You’ll add a fresh, light touch to your meal. Sweet pineapple, tangy mandarin oranges, juicy grapes, and creamy bananas blend for a tasty treat. Your guests will love it when you serve this fruit salad with your holiday favorites.
This fruit salad shines with its bright colors and tasty flavors. The fruit’s freshness and sweet marshmallows are a great mix. It’s a beautiful, healthy choice among the rich holiday foods.
It’s really simple to prepare this side dish. Just cut the fruits, mix, and add the marshmallows. You’ll get a vibrant, delicious salad that lights up your table. Feel free to add your favorite fruits or try new mixes.
This Thanksgiving, try something new with this fruit salad. It’s easy to make and really tasty. Your guests will love its colors and the blend of flavors. This fruit salad is a refreshing addition to your holiday feast. Try making it, and your family will surely compliment its yummy taste!
FAQ
Can I use fresh fruit instead of canned fruit in this fruit salad recipe?
Yes, you can totally use fresh fruit instead of canned. Just swap the canned fruit for the same amount of your favorite fresh fruit. Remember to give the fruit some time to soften a bit.
Can I make this fruit salad in advance?
Indeed, making the fruit salad ahead of time is best. Let it sit in the fridge overnight or for a minimum of 6 hours. Toss in the sliced bananas and apples right before serving to keep them fresh.
Can I substitute the whipped cream with a non-dairy alternative?
Yes, for those avoiding dairy or with dietary limits, a non-dairy whipped cream works. Try coconut milk whipped cream or almond milk whipped cream found in stores. Just whip it according to the package and then add it in as the recipe suggests.
Can I add nuts to this fruit salad?
Yes, nuts can be a good addition for extra crunch and flavor. Consider chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds. You can mix them in or sprinkle on top right before you eat.
How long does this fruit salad stay fresh?
The fruit salad will be good for up to 2 days in the fridge. Just cover it well with plastic wrap or put it in an airtight container. This keeps it from drying out or picking up smells from other food.