Grandma’s Old Fashioned Fruit Salad
Grandma’s Old Fashioned Fruit Salad is a nostalgic, colorful mix of fresh or canned fruits, lightly dressed with either a creamy binder or fruit juice. Perfect for potlucks, family dinners, or summer gatherings, it’s refreshing, easy, and endlessly adaptable.
- Prep Time: 15–20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 30–45 minutes (including chilling)
- Yield: 8–10 servings
- Category: Side Dish, Dessert
- Method: No-cook
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 2 cups pineapple chunks (fresh or canned, drained)
- 2 cups seedless grapes
- 1 cup mandarin orange segments (drained if canned)
- 1 cup strawberries or cherries, halved
- 1 apple or pear, diced
- Optional: 1/2 cup maraschino cherries
- Optional: 1 cup mini marshmallows
- Binder options:
- 1 cup sour cream or mayonnaise mixed with 2–3 tbsp sugar and 1 tbsp lemon juice
- OR 1/2 cup fruit juice or simple syrup for a lighter version
Instructions
Prep fruit: Wash and slice fresh fruit; drain canned fruit well. Toss apples or pears in lemon juice to prevent browning.
- Combine: In a large mixing bowl, gently combine pineapple, grapes, oranges, berries, and optional cherries or marshmallows.
- Add binder: Stir in creamy mixture or drizzle with fruit juice/simple syrup. Fold gently to coat without crushing the fruit.
- Chill: Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to blend flavors.
- Serve: Transfer to a serving bowl; garnish with mint or a cherry if desired.
Notes
- For a fresher taste, use seasonal fruits and add softer items like bananas right before serving.
- Drain canned fruit thoroughly to avoid a watery salad.
- For a tangy twist, substitute plain or vanilla yogurt for the creamy binder.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 15mg
- Fat: 3g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
Find it online: https://thefamilycooking.com/grandmas-old-fashioned-fruit-salad/
