Playful Fruit & Nut Salad with Honey-Lemon Dressing
A colorful medley of seasonal fruits and nuts tossed in a bright honey-lemon dressing. This mediterranean-inspired salads (gluten-free) ready in about 15 minutes pairs mixed seasonal fruit, walnuts, feta cheese into a side that holds its own next to almost any main — bright, balanced, and quick enough to slot into a weeknight plate. Each serving lands at about 295 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 cups (melon, berries, kiwi) mixed seasonal fruit
- 1/4 cup, toasted and chopped walnuts
- 1/2 cup, crumbled feta cheese
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp, finely chopped fresh basil
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Combine 2 cups mixed seasonal fruit (melon cubes, berries, kiwi slices) in a large bowl.
- Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 1 tbsp honey, and 2 tbsp chopped basil until emulsified and slightly thickened.
- Step 3: Drizzle the dressing over the fruit mixture and toss gently until evenly coated, ensuring the fruit is lightly glistening.
- Step 4: Top with 1/4 cup toasted chopped walnuts and 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese, then serve immediately for optimal freshness and texture.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Playful Fruit & Nut Salad with Honey-Lemon Dressing take to make?
Total time is about 15 minutes (15 min prep + 0 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Playful Fruit & Nut Salad with Honey-Lemon Dressing?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep mixed seasonal fruit from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Playful Fruit & Nut Salad with Honey-Lemon Dressing?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Playful Fruit & Nut Salad with Honey-Lemon Dressing for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Playful Fruit & Nut Salad with Honey-Lemon Dressing gluten-free?
Yes — this recipe is tagged gluten-free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Perfect salads recipe for a weeknight dinner.
- ★★★★★
Doubled the garlic (as one does) and it was amazing.
- ★★★★★
Swapped butter for olive oil to keep it lighter. Still delicious.








