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.

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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
Nutrition
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Enjoy, Terri