Apple Pear Berry Salad
Crisp apples, juicy pears, and sweet-tart mixed berries tossed in a light honey-lemon dressing with fresh mint. A refreshing, colorful fruit salad that comes together in 15 minutes — perfect for brunch, picnics, or a healthy dessert.
For 4 servings
- prep · ~8 min
Wash and prep all the fruit.
1.Rinse apple, pear, strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries under cool water.2.Core the apple and pear, then dice into bite-sized cubes (about ½-inch pieces).3.Hull the strawberries and cut into quarters.4.Pat raspberries gently with a paper towel — they're delicate. - mix · ~1 min
Make the honey-lemon dressing.
In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, honey, and a pinch of salt until the honey dissolves completely.
- mix · ~2 min
Toss the salad together.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the diced apple, diced pear, strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries. Pour the dressing over the fruit and gently toss with a spatula until everything is evenly coated.
TIPUse a rubber spatula instead of a spoon — it's gentler on the raspberries and keeps the fruit intact. - garnish · ~1 min
Finish with fresh mint and serve.
Sprinkle the chopped mint over the salad and give it one last gentle toss. Transfer to a serving bowl or individual cups.
- serve
Serve immediately or chill briefly.
This salad is best fresh but can be chilled for 15-20 minutes to let the flavors meld. Serve cold.
What to keep in mind.
6 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.
- 1Use a mix of ripe and slightly firm pears so the salad has contrasting textures that hold up better after dressing.
- 2Dice apples and pears to roughly the same size (½-inch) so every spoonful has a balanced bite.
- 3Toss the diced apple in a little lemon juice immediately after cutting to prevent browning.
- 4If you're short on time, skip peeling the fruit — the skin adds color, fiber, and a pleasant chew.
- 5For the best flavor, let the dressed salad rest in the fridge for 10-15 minutes before serving to let the honey-lemon dressing soak into the fruit.
- 6Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 day, but expect softer fruit and some juice pooling at the bottom.
Adapt it for your goals.
Low-oil
This recipe is already virtually fat-free; simply omit the optional pinch of salt if you prefer a purely fruit-sweet dressing, making it even lighter.
veganVegan
Swap the honey for an equal amount of maple syrup or agave nectar — the salad stays just as sweet and glossy, and becomes fully plant-based.
herb swapHerb-swap
Replace the mint with an equal amount of fresh basil or lemon balm; basil adds a peppery-sweet note, while lemon balm reinforces the citrus character.
spicedSpiced
Add ¼ teaspoon of ground cinnamon or a tiny pinch of cardamom to the dressing — those warm spices pair beautifully with apples, pears, and berries.
Why this is on our healthy list.
Rich in Vitamin C
Strawberries and lemon juice provide a generous dose of immune-supporting vitamin C, and eating the fruit raw preserves the nutrient.
Good Source of Fiber
Apples, pears, and berries all contain soluble and insoluble fiber, which aids digestion and helps you feel full longer.
Naturally Low in Fat
This salad contains almost no fat, making it a light, refreshing option for weight-conscious eaters or those on a low-fat diet.
Antioxidant-Rich Berries
Blueberries and raspberries are packed with anthocyanins and ellagic acid, compounds that help combat oxidative stress in the body.
Frequently asked questions
It's best eaten within a few hours of assembly, but you can prep the ingredients in advance — dice the apple and pear, wash the berries — and toss everything together just before serving.
