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Watermelon Fruit Salad

May 29, 2022 by Great Grub, Delicious Treats

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This watermelon fruit salad is a light and refreshing mixture of watermelon, strawberries, pineapple, grapes, blueberries, and more mixed in a delicious cool whip mixture that tastes amazing. A very light, healthy, and delicious fresh summer fruit salad recipe the whole family will enjoy.

A close-up picture of Watermelon Fruit Salad in a bowl with fruit in the background and the title at the top.

Fruit salad is one of the best sweet treats to serve during the summer months. It’s so refreshing on a hot day and so satisfying after enjoying burgers, dogs, steaks, or chops. It’s just so satisfying and delicious. Over the years, I’ve made all kinds of fruit salads but one of my favorite ways to make it is with watermelon. It’s the classic summer fruit, and it pairs so well with all the other delicious flavors that you traditionally find in a sweet fruit salad. The watermelon fruit salad I’m sharing today is one of my favorite variations on this theme. It’s delicious, refreshing, and I never have to worry about bringing home leftovers when I take it to any gathering. It’s always gone by the end of the party!

Watermelon Fruit Salad

This delicious fruit salad is loaded with sweet flavors that everyone always loves. Watermelon, coconut, strawberries, grapes, pineapple. blueberries, marshmallows, and pecans are combined with a delicious, sweet and creamy base made with whipped cream, sour cream, and powdered sugar to create a fruit salad that takes you to a tropical paradise with every bite. It’s so delicious that even picky eaters love it. In fact, I’ve never had anyone turn it down!

A horizontal picture of Watermelon Fruit Salad in three different bowls with fresh fruit in the background.

Why You’ll Love This Watermelon Fruit Salad

  • This salad is loaded with all your favorite fruits like watermelon, strawberries, pineapple, blueberries, and grapes.
  • It’s light, refreshing, and super easy to make.
  • It’s a delicious fruit salad recipe perfect for backyard BBQs, picnics, parties, or just an afternoon snack.

Watermelon Fruit Salad Tips and Variations

This recipe is so simple that I only have a couple of tips for it. They’re important ones, however, so don’t skip over them. I also have some great variations you can try, as well.

Tips

  • Always fold in the fruit, never stir. Folding helps ensure that the fruit remains intact rather than getting squished.
  • Let your fruit salad chill fully before serving. It gives the flavors a chance to meld together.

Variations

  • For a healthier version, use full-fat Greek yogurt in place of sour cream. They taste virtually the same.
  • You can use homemade whipped cream for an even richer flavor.
  • Use your favorite fruits in this salad. They all work well.
A close-up picture of Watermelon Fruit Salad in a red and white bowl.

How to Pick the Perfect Watermelon

There are a few things to remember when picking a watermelon. A ripe watermelon should have a dark green color with creamy, light yellow stripes. The rind should also be dull, not shiny. In addition, when you press on the rind, it shouldn’t give to the pressure, and you shouldn’t be able to scratch it with your fingernail. Some key things to remember are:

  • Watermelons with shiny rinds are underripe.
  • Rinds that give to pressure or that can be scratched with a fingernail are overripe.
  • Watermelons with dark green rinds that are dull-looking and don’t give to pressure are perfectly ripe.

What to Serve with Watermelon Fruit Salad

This classic summer treat pairs extremely well with all sorts of dishes. In general, if you can serve it at a backyard party, it will go with this fruit salad.

  • BBQ chicken
  • Brisket
  • Ribs
  • Pulled pork
  • Fried chicken
  • Baked beans
  • Potato salad
  • Pasta salad
  • Mac and cheese
  • Coleslaw

Watermelon Fruit Salad FAQ

If you have questions about this recipe, then I have the answer. The following FAQ answers the most commonly asked questions about fruit salad.

What is fruit salad?

Fruit salad is a dish made with various fruits combined in either a liquid or creamy base and served as a dessert or appetizer.

Who invented fruit salad?

Ambrosia, the creamy, sweet fruit salad we most commonly think of when we think of this kind of salad originated in the southern USA.

A picture of a spoonful of Watermelon Fruit Salad over a bowl of fruit salad with fresh fruit and additional fruit salad in the background.

What fruit goes well with watermelon?

A variety of fruits are wonderful when paired with watermelon.

  • Strawberries
  • Banana
  • Mango
  • Pineapple
  • Cherries
  • Blueberries
  • Raspberries
  • Blackberries
  • Peaches
  • Plums
  • Cantaloupe
  • Honeydew melon
  • Apples
  • Oranges
  • Grapes

When does watermelon come into season?

It can range from May to September. The exact time frame depends on where you live.

Can fruit salad with cool whip be made in advance?

Absolutely. The longer fruit salad sits, the more delicious it is. Make it the night before you plan to serve it.

How long will fruit salad last in the fridge?

It will keep in an air-tight container for up to 5 days, although, it’s best when eaten within 3 days.

Can you freeze watermelon fruit salad?

I don’t recommend it. Watermelon can be frozen, but it loses its texture when defrosted. While that’s not an issue if you’re making smoothies with it, it’s definitely a problem when you use it in fruit salad.

A close-up picture of Watermelon Fruit Salad in a bowl.

How to Store Watermelon Fruit Salad

Store your leftover fruit salad in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. For the best flavor, eat it within 3 days.

Watermelon Fruit Salad Ingredients

You’ll only need a few basic ingredients to make this recipe. You’ll find them all easily at your local grocery store.

  • Cool Whip
  • Powdered sugar
  • Sour cream
  • Shredded coconut
  • Lime juice
  • Watermelon, cut into bite-size pieces
  • Strawberries, quartered
  • Green grapes
  • Pineapple, cut into bite-size pieces
  • Blueberries
  • Mini marshmallows
  • Chopped pecans

How to Make Watermelon Fruit Salad

Making this fruit salad is even easier than buying the ingredients. It only takes two steps!

Step 1: Make the Creamy Base

Combine the Cool Whip, sour cream, powdered sugar, coconut flakes, and lime juice in a large bowl and stir to combine.

Step 2: Fold in the Remaining Ingredients

Gently fold in the fruit, mini marshmallows, and pecans. Cover and chill until ready to serve.

A double picture of Watermelon Fruit Salad with the title in the middle.

Try This Delicious Watermelon Salad Today

This watermelon fruit salad is super easy to make and loaded with delicious, sweet, fresh fruit. It comes together in just minutes, and it’s always a great addition to any party and is definitely a crowd pleaser. Give this recipe a try, and I know you’ll find yourself making it again and again. With all those sweet, classic flavors and its easy recipe, there’s no reason not to give it a try. You’re going to love it.

A three-picture collage of Watermelon Fruit Salad with the title at the top left.

More Delicious Fruit Recipes to Try

Pineapple Pretzel Salad – This delicious pineapple dessert is a light and airy dessert that is loaded with pineapple and a sweet cream cheese mixture with a savory pretzel crust.

Blueberry Cobbler Frozen Dessert – Loaded with fresh blueberries in a cream cheese mixture and sprinkled with graham cracker crumbs, this dessert is perfect for summer.

Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp – This easy and delicious dessert recipe is made with strawberries, rhubarb, and a sweet and buttery crumble topping that is baked until golden brown.

Also, try this Banana Parfait Recipe from Deliciously Seasoned. Made with banana cream pudding, fresh banana slices, fresh strawberries, homemade whipped cream and a graham cracker crust layer.

Watermelon Fruit Salad

Great Grub, Delicious Treats
This is a light and fluffy fruit salad recipe that is loaded with 5 different fruits, mini marshmallows, and chopped pecans tossed in sweet cream cheese coolwhip mixture.
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 30 mins
Cook Time 0 mins
Total Time 30 mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 8 Servings
Calories 345 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 12 ounces Cool Whip
  • ½ cup powdered sugar
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • ½ cup shredded coconut
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • 5 cups watermelon cut into bite-size pieces
  • 4 cups strawberries quartered
  • 2 cup green grapes
  • 2 cups pineapple cut into bite-size pieces
  • 1 cup blueberries
  • 2 cups mini marshmallows
  • ½ cup chopped pecans

Instructions
 

  • In a large bowl combine cool whip, sour cream, powdered sugar, coconut flakes, and lime juice. Stir until combined.
  • Gently fold fruit, mini marshmallows and pecans into cool whip mixture until combined.
  • Cover with plastic wrap, place in the fridge to chill, then enjoy.

Notes

Nutritional values are approximate.
 
Please note that these values can change with different brands and any modifications made to the recipe. For the most accurate information, use a nutritional calculator with the exact brands and measurements.
 
Recipe inspired from our local grocery store: H.E.B.

Nutrition

Calories: 345kcalCarbohydrates: 60gProtein: 4gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 63mgPotassium: 462mgFiber: 4gSugar: 46gVitamin A: 777IUVitamin C: 74mgCalcium: 95mgIron: 1mg
Keyword Fruit Salad, Fruit Salad with Sour Cream, Watermelon Fruit Salad
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Here are a few pics that are perfect to save to your favorite dessert board on Pinterest. Also, you can follow us on Pinterest, Facebook and Instagram. Remember to “like” or “follow” us on all social media.

Enjoy, Terri

A spoonful of Watermelon Fruit Salad held over a bowl of fruit salad with more fresh fruit in the background.
A close-up picture of Watermelon Fruit Salad in a blue bowl with fruit in the background and the title at the top.
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Filed Under: All Recipes, Desserts, Side Dishes, Snacks Tagged With: Fruit Recipes, Fruit Salad, Summer Recipes, Watermelon Fruit Salad

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Welcome to Great Grub, Delicious Treats! Hello, my name is Terri and I'm so glad you stopped by. I'm a self taught cook/foodie at heart, mom to three kids, photographer and have a love for amazing food. I left my full time job of being a hospice admissions RN, which was super tough and extremely sad, and at times, very rewarding to be there for the patients and families to blog full time which I absolutely love. I hope you enjoy, and check out, all of the delicious recipes on my site while you're here! And don't forget to sign up to receive every new recipe right to your email. Thanks again for stopping by! :)

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Welcome to Great Grub, Delicious Treats! Hello, my name is Terri and I'm so glad you stopped by. I'm a self taught cook/foodie at heart, mom to three kids, photographer and have a love for amazing food. I left my full time job of being a hospice admissions RN, which was super tough and extremely sad, and at times, very rewarding to be there for the patients and families to blog full time which I absolutely love. I hope you enjoy, and check out, all of the delicious recipes on my site while you're here! And don't forget to sign up to receive every new recipe right to your email. Thanks again for stopping by! :) Read More…

Two slices of breakfast pizza on a white plate.
6 tomatillos 4 jalapenos, stems removed 3 serranos, stems removed 2 cloves garlic, roasted ¼ onion ¼ cup water 2 teaspoons salt 2 avocado, diced ⅓ cup cilantro In a medium saucepan, add oil and heat over medium heat. Add garlic cloves and roast until soft. Remove and add to blender or Vitamix. In the same saucepan, add tomatillos, jalapenos, serranos and onion. Cover with cold water and bring to a boil over medium high heat until soft and the color has changed to a pale green. Remove tomatillos and continue boiling the peppers until pale green, if needed. Drain water, reserving ¼ cup. Add the cooked ingredients, salt and ½ cup water. Blend until combined and smooth. Lastly, add avocados and cilantro and blend until smooth. Serve with your favorite chips or top tacos, burritos, beef, chicken or your favorite Mexican recipes.

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