How to Make Mexican Fruit Salad – Easy and Delicious

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Learn how to make Mexican fruit salad with this great recipe that combines tropical fruits with chili lime seasoning, creating a sweet fruit salad with a hint of spice that will have everyone coming back for more!

Everyone will enjoy this delicious Mexican fruit salad for its unique flavor and refreshing qualities. It’s an easily customizable fresh fruit salad using in-season fruit perfect for various gatherings from a BBQ to a Cinco de Mayo celebration.  It’s a great side dish that appeals to your taste buds and eyes, making it a hit at any event.

Reader Review of the Best Mexican Fruit Salad Recipe

“I took this fruit salad to a work event and everyone loved it!” – Barb

Why this is the Best Mexican Fruit Salad

• Vibrant and Contrasting Flavors: The combination of tropical fruits with chili lime seasoning creates the best flavor and is a perfect addition to meals.

• Refreshing and Light: This fruit salad is a refreshing option, perfect for hot summer days or any time of year with its juicy fruits and tangy dressing.

• Eye-Catching and Versatile: This spicy fruit salad’s colorful presentation and the option to serve it in a pineapple or mini watermelon rind make it visually appealing. It’s also versatile, allowing for customization with different fruits and seasonings, making it suitable for summer gatherings.

Before I lost 125  lbs I used to eat those fruit cups thinking I was eating healthy. Now that I have lost weight I read labels and know that even though they claim no added sugars they typically have 15-20 grams of sugar which equals nearly 4 teaspoons per serving. Of course, the fruit has natural sugar, but the fruit cups are processed so they lose fiber and have added fruit juices that increase the amount of sugar. 

This simple Mexican fruit salad is much healthier than fruit cups bought at your local grocery store. Plus you can enjoy your favorite variety of fresh fruits and it’s more cost effective and a great way to meal prep for a yummy treat.

This dairy-free Capriotada is a yummy treat, too!

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Complete List of Ingredients for Mexican Fruit Salad

You can find the full printable recipe card including ingredient quantities, full step-by-step instructions, and nutritional information below.

You can use a variety of fruits, but these are the ones I used for this perfect side. Regardless of which fruit you use make sure you have ripe fruit for best results.

• Pineapple
• Watermelon
• Papaya
• Mango
• Oranges
• Grapes
• Fresh Lime Juice – you could also use lemon juice
• Chili Powder – or try this Copycat Old El Paso Taco Seasoning
• Fresh Mint or Cilantro
• Optional – depending on the sweetness of the fruit you could add a liquid sweetener like maple syrup, orange juice, or agave sweetener.

How to Make Mexican Fruit Salad

This is a good fruit salad regardless of the type of fruit you choose to use. I combined watermelon, papaya, mango, grapes, oranges, and pineapple in this recipe, but feel free to mix and match your favorite sweet fruits. Cantaloupe, honeydew melon, dragon fruit, berries, or kiwi would be great additions too! 

You can follow these simple steps to make this Mexican fruit salad. You could use a melon baller and shape the watermelon, cantaloupe, or honeydew into balls for a fancier presentation.  You could also arrange the fruit in a hollowed-out pineapple half, watermelon rind, or big serving bowl and finish with a drizzle of chili-lime seasoning. 

1. Prepare the Fruits:
   • With a sharp knife on a cutting board cut the watermelon in half and use a melon baller to scoop out small balls. If you don’t have a melon baller, simply cut the watermelon into bite-sized cubes. Save the watermelon shell for serving if desired.
   • Peel the papaya, remove the seeds, and cut into bite-sized pieces.
   • Peel the mango, remove the pit, and cut into small cubes.
   • Peel and core the pineapple, then cut it into bite-sized pieces. Save the hollowed-out pineapple half for serving if desired.
   • Peel, segment, and cut orange slices.
   • Remove grape stems and cut in half if desired.
2. Combine the Fruits:
   • In a large bowl, combine all the prepared fruits.  
3. Season with Fresh Lime Juice and Chili Powder:
   • Squeeze the juice of one or two limes over the fruit salad. This adds a bright, tangy flavor to the fruits.
   • Sprinkle chili lime seasoning generously over the top of the fruit salad. The amount is based on personal preference, but it adds a little kick and is a great addition to the salad.
   • Gently toss to combine.
4. Chill and Serve:
   • Refrigerate the fruit salad for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together and the fruit to chill.
   • Serve the fruit salad chilled as a refreshing and vibrant side dish to Mexican food like Taco Salad Casserole Recipes or a delicious dessert to any meal.

FAQ’s

What is Mexican Fruit Salad Called?

There are many different ways to create this salad. This variation can sometimes be referred to as “Tajin fruit salad” due to the use of the spice brand Tajin. It contains chili peppers, dehydrated lime juice, citric acid, sea salt, and silicon dioxide. I’m using fresh lime juice and chili powder instead of purchasing Tajin. You could use this Mexican Fruit Seasoning Recipe, a copycat Tajin spice recipe.

During the holidays this fruit salad is sometimes known as “Ensalada Navideña” which translates to “Christmas Salad” in English. It is a traditional holiday salad commonly served in Latin American countries, especially in the Caribbean and Central America. This creamy fruit salad is a festive and colorful dish that often includes a mix of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and a creamy dressing.

Another variation of this salad is a Bionico salad. It’s a Mexican fruit bowl and is a popular Mexican dessert originating in Guadalajara, Jalisco. The word “bionico salad ” doesn’t have a direct translation, but it is essentially a term coined to describe this particular type of fruit salad. The salad typically consists of fresh fruits, usually topped with granola, shredded coconut, and a sweet cream sauce consisting of sweetened condensed milk, or crema (Mexican sour cream). Here’s an incredible non-dairy bionico recipe.

How Many Calories in Mexican Fruit Salad?

The number of calories in this tropical fruit salad can vary based on the specific fruits used and the amounts of added ingredients like granola, coconut, and sweetened condensed milk or crema. However, here’s an approximate calorie breakdown for a typical serving (about 1 cup) of Mexican fruit salad without additional toppings:

• Fresh fruits (such as oranges, watermelon, mango, and papaya): Approximately 80-100 calories
• Granola (1/4 cup): Approximately 100-150 calories
• Shredded coconut (1 tablespoon): Approximately 50-60 calories
• Sweetened condensed milk or crema (1 tablespoon): Approximately 60-80 calories

So, a Mexican fruit salad with these ingredients might contain roughly 270-370 calories per serving. It’s important to note that these are estimated values and the actual calorie content can vary based on the specific brands and measurements used. This recipe has 152 amount of calories.

How to store Mexican Fruit Salad

Transfer the fruit salad to an airtight container or cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap. This helps prevent the fruits from absorbing odors from the refrigerator and keeps them from drying out.

Refrigerate the salad promptly after making or serving since bacteria can grow quickly at room temperature, so it’s best to refrigerate within two hours of preparation.

For more info regarding food safety, click here.

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Recipe for Mexican Fruit Salad

If you like this recipe, please leave a 5-star rating and tell me how it went in the comments below. I love hearing from you!

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​Disclaimer: Please note that I am not a medical professional. The information provided on this blog is based on my personal experiences and research as a vegan recipe enthusiast. While I strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, it is important to consult with a qualified healthcare professional or a registered dietitian before making any significant changes to your diet, especially if you have any underlying health conditions or concerns. The recipes and tips shared on this blog are meant for general informational purposes and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice. Always prioritize your health and well-being by seeking personalized guidance from a qualified healthcare provider.