How do I choose a ripe dragon fruit?

Look for fruit with bright, even-colored skin that gives slightly when gently pressed — avoid any with soft spots or wrinkling.

Can I make this salad a day ahead?

It's best eaten within 4 hours, as the fruit will release juice and the cucumber may soften. For meal prep, store dressing separately and combine just before serving.

What can I substitute for honey to make it vegan?

Use agave syrup or maple syrup in equal measure — both dissolve easily and complement the tropical flavors.

Why does the recipe call for peeling and deseeding the cucumber?

Peeling removes the waxy skin, and deseeding prevents excess moisture from diluting the dressing and making the salad watery.

Home / Recipes / thai / Refreshing Dragon Fruit Salad

thaiEasyvegetariangluten freedairy freenut free

Refreshing Dragon Fruit Salad

RATING

0.0/5

TASTE SCORE

8/10

A vibrant, juicy salad starring sweet dragon fruit tossed with fresh citrus, crisp cucumber, and aromatic mint. Every bite bursts with tropical flavor, balanced by a zesty lime-honey dressing. Ready in minutes, it's the perfect light dessert or cooling side for warm days.

PREP

15m

COOK

SERVES

1 CUP

151 cal

SERVINGS

INGREDIENTS

For 4 servings

2 pcsdragon fruit · medium, peeled and cut into bite-sized cubes1 pcscucumber · small, peeled, deseeded and diced1 pcsorange · medium, peeled, segmented and chopped2 tbspmint · fresh leaves, roughly torn1 tbsphoney2 tbsplime juice · freshly squeezed1 pinchsalt

NUTRITION · PER SERVING

151

CALORIES · 1 CUP

Protein3g · 8%

Carbs34g · 90%

Fat1g · 6%

Fiber7g

Sugar23g

Saturated fat0g

Cholesterol0mg

Sodium40mg

Potassium660mg

Phosphorus26mg

How we calculate →

METHOD · 5 STEPS

prep · ~8 min
Prep the fruit and cucumber.
1.Slice dragon fruit in half lengthwise and scoop out the flesh with a spoon. Cut flesh into bite-sized cubes.
2.Peel cucumber, slice in half lengthwise, scoop out the seeds with a spoon, and dice into small pieces.
3.Peel orange, separate into segments, and chop each segment into bite-sized pieces.
TIPChoose dragon fruit that gives slightly when pressed — it should feel like a ripe avocado.
mix · ~1 min
Make the lime-honey dressing.
1.In a small bowl, combine honey and fresh lime juice.
2.Whisk vigorously until honey dissolves completely into the lime juice.
3.Add a pinch of salt and mix again.
TIPWarm honey briefly if it's too thick to whisk easily.
mix · ~2 min
Toss the salad together.
1.Add cubed dragon fruit, cucumber, and orange pieces into a large mixing bowl.
2.Drizzle the lime-honey dressing over the fruit mixture.
3.Toss gently with a large spoon until evenly coated.
4.Scatter torn mint leaves over the top and fold through lightly.
TIPToss very gently to keep the dragon fruit cubes whole and intact.
rest · ~10 min
Chill the salad briefly.
Cover the bowl with a lid or cling wrap and refrigerate for 10 to 15 minutes to let the flavors meld and the salad turn refreshingly cold.
TIPDon't skip chilling — cold fruit salad tastes noticeably brighter and more refreshing.
serve
Serve the dragon fruit salad chilled.
Give the salad a final gentle toss, spoon into individual serving bowls or cups, and serve immediately while cold. Garnish with extra mint leaves if desired.

PRO TIPS

What to keep in mind.

6 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.

1
Use dragon fruit that yields slightly when pressed, like a ripe avocado, for maximum sweetness.
2
Scoop dragon fruit with a spoon after halving to easily separate flesh from the skin.
3
Seed the cucumber thoroughly to prevent the salad from becoming watery.
4
Toss the salad very gently with a large spoon to keep dragon fruit cubes intact.
5
Chill the salad for at least 10 minutes to let the flavors meld and enhance freshness.
6
Serve the salad in chilled bowls for an extra-refreshing experience on hot days.

RECIPE VARIATIONS