Name: Fruit and Vegetable Salad
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 2 medium cucumbers; 8 ounces strawberries; 8 ounces grapes; 1 small red bell pepper; 8 to 10 basil leaves ((cut into strips)); 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 lime; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 2 to 3 teaspoons sunflower seeds; romaine lettuce leaves ((optional, for serving))

Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

Not complicated, but so yummy! You only need 20 minutes to make this crunchy, tangy, and refreshing fruit and vegetable salad, which is delicious either as a side dish or a light entree on a hot summer evening!

Fruit and vegetable salad spooned into romaine lettuce leaves and served on a white platter.

For a pretty serving suggestion, spoon out the desired amount of the fruit and vegetable salad onto iceberg lettuce leaves.

Now that warmer weather is finally here, I am really in the mood for fresh produce. Basically this salad was created taking some of my family’s favorite fruits and vegetables, chopping them up, adding a citrus-y dressing and VOILA!

WHY I LOVE THIS RECIPE

So many reasons to love this recipe!

This recipe is guilt-free. So you can heap a big bunch on your plate and munch away!
The dressing is super easy to make without any weird components like some of the store-bought dressings. Only 3 ingredients!
It’s a great way to get your kids to eat fruits and veggies. (There are many variations so you can pick the ingredients your kids will be most likely to eat.)
The sunflower seeds add a nice nutty crunch, which I love!
It looks so colorful, fresh, and pretty, especially when served in a crisp, green romaine lettuce leaf.

The best part of this for me is that I can just keep munching and munching on it and not have to worry about consuming a lot of carbs or calories. It reminds me of one of my favorite snacks, Chipotle Lime Edamame, which has SO much flavor but is also really good for you (and also has sunflower seeds…hmmm, I am sensing a theme here!)

Another good-for-you snack that I love is my Raspberry Frozen Yogurt (no sunflower seeds in this one, LOL).

Close side view of finished veggie salad served on a white platter on a crisp green lettuce leaf.

This fruit and vegetable salad recipe is light and delicious. (Looking for a vegan salad? This recipe is for you!)

How to make Fruit and Vegetable Salad – Step by Step

Ingredients

You will need cucumbers, strawberries, grapes, a red bell pepper, fresh basil, olive oil, a lime, salt, and sunflower seeds. Optional is romaine lettuce leaves for serving.

Ingredients needed to make this fruit and vegetable salad.

Step 1.

Chop the cucumber and red bell pepper.

Process shot of the cucumber chopped into chunks on a cutting board with a knife.

Chop the cucumber into bite-sized chunks.

Process shot of the red bell pepper chopped into chunks for the fruit and vegetable salad.

Chop the red bell pepper into bite-sized chunks.

Step 2.

Slice the strawberries and halve the grapes.

Process shot showing the strawberries being sliced into bite-sized pieces on a cutting board.

Slice the strawberries into bite-sized chunks.

Process shot of slicing the grapes in half on a cutting board.

Slice the grapes in half to make them easier to eat!

Step 3.

Chop the basil leaves.

Process shot of the chopped basil and a knife on a cutting board.

Chop the basil into small piece or strips.

Step 4.

Juice the lime, and mix the juice with the olive oil and salt.

Process shot of olive oil, lime juice and salt mixed in a glass bowl with a fork.

Combine the olive oil, lime juice, and salt in a small bowl.

Step 5.

Place the fruits and veggies in a bowl, with the basil and sunflower seeds, and pour the dressing over it.

Process shot of dressing being poured into the bowl of chopped fruits and veggies.

Add the dressing to the fruit and vegetable mixture.

Step 6.

Mix thoroughly and spoon into romaine lettuce leaves for serving.

Process shot from above of finished salad nestled into three romaine lettuce leaves.

Your finished salad looks beautiful!

FAQs ABOUT FRUIT AND VEGETABLE SALAD

Is this really good for you? Don’t fruits have a lot of sugar?

Fruits do have sugar, but it is a natural sugar and not a processed sugar. Fruits are more satisfying in general than items containing processed sugar, so you are less likely to overeat them. And, they also contain fiber, vitamins, antioxidants!

Can I make this fruit and veggie salad ahead of time?

This recipe really tastes best when it is served immediately after preparing it. However, you can do the chopping ahead of time and store the piece in the refrigerator until ready to put it all together.

Can I use bottled lime juice?

Yes, I often use bottled lime juice because most of the time I forget to buy that lime, lol.

Can I make this into a pasta salad?

Absolutely! Rotini or penne work great. You will want to make some extra dressing to make sure everything gets well-coated!

MORE TIPS FOR MAKING FRUIT AND VEGETABLE SALAD

Don’t forget to wash your produce thoroughly and pat it dry. You don’t want any extra liquid in the finished salad, so patting dry is important.
If you are making the salad and then transporting it to a picnic, I recommend that you leave the sunflower seeds out until right before serving. That way they will still be nice and crunchy when everyone digs in.
If your family likes basil, go ahead and add more than called for in the recipe. I often add more basil because we all enjoy it so much.

Close overhead view of this summer salad served as a romaine lettuce boat with sunflower seeds and basil garnish.

You can serve this fruit and veggie salad as a side dish or as the main entree for a light, meatless, oven-free meal.

Variations for your Fruit and Vegetable Salad

Not a fan of red bell pepper? Substitute chopped or shaved carrot.
You don’t have a lime or lime juice handy? Go ahead and use lemon juice!
Forgot the cucumber? Substitute 4 stalks of celery, chopped into bite-sized pieces.
Slicing strawberries is too much work? Substitute raspberries.
Want to make the salad go farther? Add cooked chilled pasta, like rotini or penne, or even macaroni.

This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share some commission.

FRUIT AND VEGETABLE SALAD

This is a great side dish to serve with hotdogs and hamburgers, barbecued chicken, or any picnic food. You can serve this as a main entree for a light, meatless, oven-free meal. (Sometimes that’s the best kind of dinner on a hot summer day!)

If you love this recipe, please give it 5 stars!

And I also invite you to follow me on FACEBOOK, PINTEREST, or INSTAGRAM to keep up with what’s going on in my kitchen.

Fruit and Vegetable Salad

Print Recipe

Recipe Author: Kristin

Crunchy, tangy, and refreshing, this salad is delicious either as a side dish or a light entree on a hot summer evening!

CourseEntree

CuisineAmerican

Prep Time20 mins

Total Time20 mins

Servings