13 Fruits That Will Seriously Upgrade Your Salads

If salads aren't your cup of tea, you might just need some direction when it comes to the toppings. Much of a salad's worth comes from the ingredients you mix in, not the greens themselves. The combination of sweet fruit and lettuce might seem like a strange concept if you've never tried it. However, including the right fruit in the mix enhances the favorable qualities of leafy greens. 

Not to mention, fruit also complements the tangy, spicy, or creamy toppings in the salad. Aside from their delicious flavor, fruit can serve a textural function in a salad. Some are crisp, like fresh apples, and others are fleshy, like peaches. Then, there are dried fruits which offer a unique and chewy consistency.

Finally, berries, citrus, and other fruits give the dish a pop of color. Yes, a colorful dish isn't mandatory, but we eat with our eyes, and vibrant foods don't go unnoticed. Now that we've established that you should include fruit in your salad, let's discuss the specifics. Read on for a list of the best fruits to upgrade your salads, so you never have to eat a dreary plate of greens again.

Oranges are a splendid addition to salads for a few reasons. Firstly, their orange hue contrasts with the leafy greens to make the salad more eye-catching. Their pulpy and succulent texture is distinct and offers the perfect balance of sweet and tart flavors. 

Not to mention, there are numerous types of oranges that vary in taste, so it won't be challenging to find one you like. Try Cara Cara, navel, or even a Seville orange — the latter is quite sour but tastes much better once you cook it. Blood oranges or tangerines have a pleasant bitterness, but you can use mandarins if you prefer something sweeter.  

Mandarins are also convenient because they're available pre-sliced, so you don't need to worry about peeling the fruit and separating the segments. If you choose to peel the oranges yourself, you can make candied orange peels and toss them in the salad. Or, try grilling the orange pieces to make a charred citrus salad recipe for a unique approach.

Another reason you should add oranges to your salad is their incredible nutritional value. You've likely heard that they are a fantastic way to introduce vitamin C into your diet, but they also contain a significant amount of fiber (via Healthline).

If you like fruit that has a nice crunch to its bite, toss some grapes in with your greens. Not only are grapes scrumptious, but they're also beneficial to your immune and respiratory systems by reducing inflammation, according to Georgia State University. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reports that grapes provide vitamins A, K, and C, so eating grapes every day can positively impact your health. While they're suitable to snack on by themselves, they're a great touch to add to a salad full of veggies, nuts, and protein.

Try to make a spinach salad with caramelized onions, roasted red grapes, and spiced almonds. The sweetness of the caramelized onion and grapes paired with the spicy nuts creates the ultimate contrast of flavors. Alternatively, use green grapes for a tart undertone. Be sure to rinse the grapes before you use them in the salad, without doing so too far in advance or they will get soggy. Keep small grapes whole and cut larger ones in half.

Everyone loves sweet and juicy strawberries. You can munch on them, throw them in smoothies, or use them to enhance desserts. So, why not liven up your salad with them too? The best way to add them to your dish is to chop off the ends and slice them into quarters first (if the berries are medium to large-sized). And while we're on the topic of strawberry sizes, you should choose smaller strawberries over larger ones because the tiny ones typically pack more flavor. 

Strawberries are the perfect berry to experiment with in your salads because they pair well with different foods. Go the simple route and create a strawberry spinach salad or construct an entirely customized bowl with all your favorite goodies. Try including pecans, avocado, blue cheese, chicken, cucumbers, or pork. The tasty fruit is also a good match for grains like quinoa, brown rice, and couscous. Whichever route you take, the bright berries will improve the salad because of their luscious flavor and firm texture.

If you haven't used fresh pears in your salads then you are missing out. No matter which greens you use for the base, they will complement the fruit's consistency and subtly sweet taste. Furthermore, since pears are not overpowering in flavor, they don't clash with typical salad toppings. 

Specific ingredients that taste heavenly in a pear salad include chicken, duck, cheese, pecans, onions, cabbage, and bacon. Knock yourself out with your favorite combination, or follow the steps to build a spinach salad with pears, walnuts, and goat cheese. 

To make the most use of fresh pears, slice them thinly and don't worry about removing the skin. Also, you can use canned pears if you don't have fresh ones on hand. They are typically softer, but if you include crispy or chewy accompaniments for contrast you'll be pleasantly surprised. Be sure to drain the canned ones first to avoid waterlogging the dish.

Blueberries are arguably one of the most advantageous types of fruit to use in salads because they require minimal preparation. Also, for people who don't like fruit seeds, blueberries are exceptionally terrific because their seeds are so tiny that they're virtually unnoticeable. All you need to do before tossing them into a salad is to give them a quick rinse.

Another solid reason to consider adding blueberries to your salads is the fact that they're abundant in antioxidants which promote a healthy heart and prevent cancer (via National Foundation for Cancer Research). Notably, the fruit keeps cholesterol levels at bay, too, according to WebMD. So, blueberries are not only delectable but popping them into your salad could potentially improve your well-being if you consume them regularly. 

Some suggestions for salad toppings that are an excellent match for blueberries include feta cheese, red onions, dried cranberries, avocado, walnuts, and chicken. As far as the dressing goes, lemon vinaigrette will undoubtedly enhance the flavor of the blueberries. Meanwhile, if you want a creamier sauce, try blue cheese dressing.

Like oranges, apples come in numerous varieties and flavors, which you can use to your advantage (yes, we just compared apples and oranges). Flavorwise and texturally, you'll find a range from sour to sweet and soft to crispy. So, when it is time to choose an apple for your salad, it all comes down to preference. 

Some of the most popular apple varieties in the U.S. include Fuji, Gala, Granny Smith, Golden Delicious, and Red Delicious. Granny Smith, for instance, is known for being quite tart and makes a pleasant addition to a vegetable salad. Another popular type is Honeycrisp, which works flawlessly in an apple beet ginger salad recipe because it is incredibly juicy and delightful. Not to mention, the ginger provides a hint of spiciness that brings out the sweetness of the apples and beets. 

To use apples in a salad, simply rinse, core, and chop them. Peeling them isn't necessary, and the skin adds some color so you might as well keep it intact. Some folks prefer to cut slices, while others prefer small cubes. Whichever way you cut them, just ensure the pieces are small enough for an easy bite.

Once you mix raspberries into your greens, you'll see why they aren't exclusively for desserts. Unlike other fruits on this list, raspberries are quite soft and have a hint of tanginess without being overly sweet. The vivid red berries are hard to miss, especially when plated with greens. 

They don't have a long life span once picked, so be sure you're aware of the best ways to store raspberries. Start by choosing a package that doesn't already have discolored or soft-looking berries. Once you get home, wash them in water with a bit of vinegar. Then, allow the berries to dry on paper towels before transferring them to your refrigerator. This way, when it is time to assemble your salad, you won't need to wash them.

For an easy option with delicious results, try making a raspberry salad with baby greens and raspberry-golden balsamic vinaigrette. Provided that you're fond of the taste, try a raspberry vinaigrette on the salad too. Otherwise, a classic balsamic vinaigrette is always a strong candidate. Onions, nuts, farro, steak, and goat cheese are other pairings to try with raspberries.

There are many clever ways to use cranberries, and adding them to a salad is one of the absolute best. In this case, we suggest using dried fruit because fresh cranberries are exceptionally tart. It can be hard to get past the pungency sometimes, whereas the dried fruit is sweeter. While a dried cranberry doesn't have the snappy texture of a fresh one, its chewy texture and taste are both extraordinary and a great ingredient for salads. 

Moreover, if you purchase dried fruit, it is ready to use without any special preparation. Simply open a bag of dried cranberries and pop a handful onto the salad. One of our favorite combinations is a cranberry and feta salad with a Dijon vinaigrette. Other ingredients to pair with dried cranberries are cucumber, walnuts, green onions, pepitas, and turkey. As far as the greens go, try using kale, spinach, arugula, or a mix of various greens.

Mangoes are magnificent because they are creamy, fruity, and floral at the same. If you've been avoiding using the fruit in recipes because you don't know how to cut a mango, it's actually fairly straightforward. Since the fruit has a large seed in the center, you can't cut it directly in half. Instead, stand the fruit up, place the knife on the center, then move it ¼-inch outward and slice down. Repeat the process on both sides to bypass the pit. Once you split it, you'll have two large chunks of flesh that you can score in a crisscross fashion. Stop slicing each time the knife hits the skin, and you'll end up with small diced pieces you can scoop out with a spoon.

Enjoy mango with tropical flavors, such as in a mango avocado salad recipe along with shrimp, arugula, and avocado. Pair it with a fruity dressing made with orange juice, rice wine vinegar, olive oil, and seasonings. If you don't want to deal with slicing the fruit yourself, grocery stores often sell pre-sliced mango, but it is more expensive and won't stay fresh as long. Nevertheless, if you plan to use it soon after you buy it, it's a great solution.

Consider incorporating fresh peaches into your salad the next time you need a touch of sweetness. For a particularly tasty experience, try a grilled peach salad recipe. Grill the fruit and pair it with mozzarella, mixed greens, basil, mint, and pine nuts. Or, assemble a grilled peach, feta cheese, arugula, and dandelion green salad for a unique option. You'll need to remove the peel and pit from the fleshy fruit first and slice it thinly. Peaches are soft enough as it is, so it won't take much time to grill them, but be sure to imprint some char marks for aesthetics.

Canned peaches are a suitable alternative if fresh peaches aren't available in the produce section. The canned fruit is pre-sliced, which is a time-saver. Yet, producers typically can the fruit in liquid (often syrup) which affects the consistency and flavor. Nevertheless, they can still supply your salad with a pleasant taste. Be sure to drain the slices first and add them immediately before you serve the salad to avoid a watery result.

If you enjoy pomegranate seeds as a snack, then an arugula, orange, and pomegranate salad is likely right up your alley. We would even suggest this dish for folks unfamiliar with pomegranates because throwing them into a salad is a great starting point. As with many other fruits on this list, you can purchase a whole pomegranate and dissect it yourself, or buy it prepared so the gleaming arils are ready to use. 

Pomegranates are bursting with vitamins and nutrients, as reported by Healthline. Specifically, vitamin C outshines all the others. Potassium, folate, and fiber are also present in notable amounts, so when you enjoy these glossy red seeds, you are doing your body a favor.

In addition, the arils are crunchy and offset the soft ingredients in your salad. Citrusy ingredients, meat, or creamy cheeses especially complement this delicious fruit. Next time you make a salad, keep pomegranate seeds in mind. Their fun appearance and zesty taste deserve a spot in your salad lineup.

Goji berries are a superfood you should consider including in your diet and adding them to a salad is an optimal way to do so. There are numerous types of berries with their own unique qualities, but goji berries have an herbal undertone and a noticeable tang. On the subject of nutritional value, Healthline reports they hold a significant amount of protein, iron, and fiber — all positive elements to supply your body with. They also have especially high levels of vitamin A (500% of your daily intake in five tablespoons!) and moderate quantities of vitamin C.

The reddish berries are safe to eat both fresh or cooked, but you can enjoy them dried (the texture is similar to a raisin). You'll also have an easier time sourcing dried ones from the grocery store or natural food shops. We recommend using dried goji berries in salads; simply sprinkle a few over your greens to add some pizzazz and instant nutrition.

Grapefruit is one of the most nutritious fruits you can eat. Therefore, it is a superb way to add more substance to your salads. Whether you use red, white, or pink grapefruit pieces is up to you. Per the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, all types of grapefruit provide you with your daily recommended vitamin C intake and simultaneously add color to your dish. For both a vibrant appearance and added health benefits, consider adding grapefruit with colorful pulp to make your salads extra appealing.

If you have never cut a grapefruit, just work with it like an orange. The sections are visible once you peel off the skin, so simply use a paring knife to follow the membrane lines and divvy up the segments. Try making a radicchio, spinach, and grapefruit salad to give this ingredient a go. The grapefruit tastes phenomenal alongside fresh greens, fruits, and veggies.