This Summer Berry Salad is the perfect recipe when warm weather hits! Made with a handful of whole food ingredients, it comes together in minutes for an allergy-friendly recipe the whole family will love. Serve it on its own as an appetizer, side dish, or dessert!

A Better Berry Salad

During the summer months, we find ourselves craving all things fresh! With recipes like frozen fruit smoothies, pineapple watermelon salsa, and grilled marinated shrimp skewers with veggies, we do our best to take advantage of all the amazing produce with every meal.

And one of our favorite ways to do so is with big bowls of salad like this mixed berry salad. A better-for-you twist on classic fruit salad recipes, it’s sweet, refreshing, and perfect for every occasion. Whether you’re hosting a backyard bbq, holiday gathering, or just looking for a new side dish for dinner, this berry salad always hits the spot.

Close up image of a bowl of summer berry fruit salad with fresh herbs.

Gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free, and refined sugar-free-friendly, it’s amazing on its own and can easily be bulked up with extra greens and protein for a complete meal. We’ve been making it on repeat and know you’re going to love it, too!

Key Ingredients You’ll Need

Just a few simple ingredients you can find at your local grocery store or farmer’s market combine to make this easy summer berry salad recipe. Be sure to check the recipe card below for the complete ingredient list, but here are the primary ingredients you’ll need:

Ingredients to make a fresh summer berry salad including fruit, honey, limes, and herbs.

Fresh Berries – We include a combination of fresh blueberries and strawberries. Blackberries and raspberries can be included, too. However, they don’t hold up as well and need to be eaten right away.
Summer Fruit – Any combination of additional summer fruit can be included! For instance, we love watermelon, kiwi, cantaloupe, honeydew, and cherries.

Ingredient Note: If needed, this summer berry salad can be made low FODMAP by using melon like cantaloupe or honeydew (NOT watermelon).

Raw Sugar, Honey, or Maple Syrup – Sweetener is used to enhance the natural flavor of the fruit. We prefer to use honey because it also prevents mold thanks to its antimicrobial properties. If preferred, use raw sugar or pure maple syrup instead.
Fresh Mint Leaves – Their bright, zingy flavor balances out the sugar for a refreshing, well-rounded salad.
Lime Juice and Zest – This adds a refreshing citrus flavor to the dressing and also helps keep the berries fresher for longer.

Health Benefits of Berries

Not only are berries super tasty and versatile but they’re also loaded with health benefits, too!

For instance, they’re:

A great source of inflammation-fighting antioxidants.
An excellent source of fiber.
Contain a variety of vitamins and minerals like vitamin C, manganese, vitamin K1, and copper.

Close up image of strawberries and blueberries in summer berry salad.

How to Make a Simple Summer Berry Fruit Salad

This summer berry salad is so simple we almost can’t call it a recipe. However, it’s so good it would be rude not to share! Follow the steps below, and it’s ready in minutes.

Prepare the Fruit. Rinse and dry the berries. Then, place them in a large bowl along with the other fruit, and gently toss to combine.
Make the Dressing. In a second, small bowl, whisk the remaining ingredients except for the mint together until smooth.

A hand pouring honey over strawberries and blueberries in a bowl.

A large glass bowl with blueberries, strawberries, watermelon, and fresh mint.

Toss. Pour the dressing over the fruit, and toss to combine. Sprinkle the mint on top, and toss again.
Chill. Enjoy your summer berry fruit salad right away, or place it in the fridge to chill.

Two hands using wooden spoons to toss summer berry salad in a bowl.

Variations

There are endless ways to mix and match ingredients to make this berry salad your own! Feel free to experiment with your favorite flavor combinations. However, to get you started some of our favorite variations include:

Toss in Crumbled Cheese – Goat and feta cheese both make for great additions for a hint of tang and extra creaminess.
Adding Nuts and Seeds – Candied nuts, walnuts, almonds, cashews, pistachios, and sunflower seeds are a great way to add a bit of crunch and healthy fats.
Incorporating Avocado – There’s never a bad time for avocado! This superfood fruit is an excellent source of nutrients and healthy fats to make this summer berry salad even more filling.
Using a Different Dressing – We kept the dressing simple to allow the flavor of the fruit to shine through, but any dressing like a poppy seed, raspberry vinaigrette dressing, strawberry vinaigrette, or balsamic vinegar can be used.
Using Greens – Transform this simple recipe into a filling salad with a base of greens like Romaine, kale, spinach, arugula, or mixed greens.
Using Grains – A great way to add extra bulk and healthy carbohydrates, grains like quinoa, buckwheat, and millet all taste great.
Make into a Dessert – Mix in Greek yogurt or vegan yogurt, coconut marshmallows, and extra fruit such as pineapple for a creamy fruit salad.

Serving Suggestions

We’ve been known to dig into a big bowl of this berry salad on its own. However, it also makes for a great side with recipes like our vegan veggie burgers, green goddess chicken salad wraps, or mini frittata egg muffins.

Two hands holding a bowl of summer berry fruit salad.

Or, enjoy it topped with a scoop of dairy-free ice cream or coconut whipped cream!

Can I Make This Recipe In Advance?

Once combined, this summer berry salad recipe is best enjoyed within a day or two. Any longer than that, and the fruit is likely to become a bit soggy. For the best results, give it a gentle toss to distribute the dressing before digging in.

If you plan on making this recipe ahead of time, store the dressing in a separate airtight container in the fridge for up to 1-2 days. Then, give it a gentle toss to redistribute the ingredients before adding it to the salad.

More of Our Favorite

Summer Salad Recipes

If you enjoy this summer berry fruit salad, you won’t want to miss out on more of our warm-weather salad recipes below!

Do you have questions, feedback, or tips about this recipe? Leave a comment below with any questions or feedback you’d like to share!

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Summer Berry Salad