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Fresh Autumn Harvest Fruit Salad

Autumn harvest fruit salad - featured image
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A vibrant, easy fruit salad featuring apples, pears, grapes, cranberries, and a maple-cinnamon dressing. Perfect as a refreshing Thanksgiving side or potluck dish, it brings together the best flavors and colors of fall.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 medium apples (Honeycrisp or Fuji), diced
  • 2 medium pears, diced
  • 1 cup red grapes, halved
  • 2 mandarin oranges, peeled and segmented
  • 1/2 cup pomegranate arils (optional)
  • 1/2 cup fresh cranberries, chopped (or dried cranberries)
  • 1/3 cup walnuts or pecans, roughly chopped (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
  • Small handful mint leaves, chopped (optional)

Instructions

  1. Wash all fruit thoroughly and pat dry.
  2. Core and dice apples and pears into 1/2-inch chunks.
  3. Halve grapes and segment mandarins.
  4. Measure out pomegranate arils if using.
  5. Roughly chop cranberries and nuts. Toast nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3 minutes if desired.
  6. In a small bowl, whisk together maple syrup, lemon juice, cinnamon, and nutmeg until smooth.
  7. Place all chopped fruit and nuts (except mint) in a large chilled mixing bowl.
  8. Pour dressing over fruit and gently fold to coat.
  9. Chop mint leaves and sprinkle over salad. Toss gently again.
  10. Check for vibrant, glossy appearance with no pooling liquid. Drain excess juice or add more nuts if needed.
  11. Cover and chill for at least 30 minutes (up to 2 hours) before serving, or serve immediately if short on time.
  12. Transfer to serving bowl or platter and garnish with extra pomegranate arils and mint if desired.

Notes

For best texture, use firm apples and pears. Chill the mixing bowl and fruit before assembling. Add nuts and mint just before serving for maximum crunch and freshness. Lemon juice helps prevent browning. Salad can be made ahead, but add nuts and mint last. Easily adapted for nut-free diets by substituting seeds.

Nutrition

Keywords: fruit salad, autumn, Thanksgiving, easy, healthy, vegan, gluten-free, potluck, maple cinnamon, apples, pears, cranberries

Find it online: https://norasfoods.com/fresh-autumn-harvest-fruit-salad-recipe-easy-thanksgiving-side/