There’s something so refreshing about a bright, tangy fruit salad in the middle of winter. That’s why I’m excited to share this Winter Fruit Salad with Citrus Dressing Recipe—it’s bursting with juicy apples, kiwi, clementines, and pomegranate, all coated in a lively fresh citrus dressing that wakes up your taste buds and feels like sunshine on a chilly day.

The image shows a white bowl full of colorful fruit salad placed on a white marbled surface. The salad has three main layers: the bottom layer is made of green kiwi slices with black seeds, the middle layer has segmented orange tangerines, and the top layer has white apple slices with red skins and scattered bright red pomegranate seeds. A silver spoon is inside the bowl at the bottom left. A white cloth is partly visible to the left side. Part of another white bowl with the same fruit salad is seen near the top right corner. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Winter Fruit Salad with Citrus Dressing Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Winter Fruit Salad with Citrus Dressing Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Winter Fruit Salad with Citrus Dressing Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This winter fruit salad is one of those recipes I turn to when I want something light yet satisfying. It’s colorful, easy to throw together, and the dressing makes all the flavors pop without overpowering the natural sweetness of the fruit. Plus, it looks beautiful on any table!

Bright and Refreshing: The fresh citrus dressing gives every bite a zesty lift that’s perfect for cold weather.
Simple and Quick: It comes together in no time, using straightforward ingredients you can find year-round.
Versatile and Healthy: Naturally gluten-free, vegan-friendly, and packed with vitamins and fiber.
Great Make-Ahead Option: It tastes even better after chilling, making it perfect for gatherings or meal prep.

A white bowl filled with a colorful fruit salad made of three main layers: bright orange tangerine segments, green kiwi slices with dark seeds, and white apple pieces with red skin edges, all mixed evenly. Scattered throughout the salad are shiny red pomegranate seeds adding small bursts of color. A silver spoon is partially inserted into the bowl on the right side. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface with a soft white cloth draped nearby. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The magic of this Winter Fruit Salad with Citrus Dressing Recipe lies in the combination of tart and sweet fruits paired with a naturally sweet and tangy citrus dressing. When you pick ripe but firm fruit, everything holds up beautifully and blends into a perfect balance.

Flat lay of two fresh red apples, a small white ceramic bowl filled with bright orange clementine slices, a simple white bowl holding halved and sliced vibrant green kiwi, a white ceramic dish heaped with glossy red pomegranate arils, and a small white bowl containing golden honey, alongside another small white bowl with fresh orange juice, all arranged in perfect symmetry, fresh and natural, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Apples: Choose crisp varieties like Fuji or Honeycrisp so they don’t turn mushy too quickly and add a nice crunch.
Clementines: These sweet, easy-to-peel citrus segments add juicy bursts and a vibrant color contrast.
Kiwi: Their tart sweetness and unique texture make the salad exciting—and they're packed with vitamin C.
Pomegranate Arils: These jewel-like seeds add a beautiful pop of color and a little crunch that balances the softness of other fruits.
Orange Juice: Fresh-squeezed is best here for a bright, natural flavor, but bottled high-quality juice works too.
Honey or Agave: Just a touch of sweetener brings harmony to the dressing—use agave if you want a vegan option.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love how flexible this Winter Fruit Salad with Citrus Dressing Recipe is—you can switch up fruits and adjust the sweetness to match your taste or whatever you have on hand. Personalizing it makes the experience even more fun!

Add Some Spice: I sometimes sprinkle a pinch of cinnamon or ground ginger on top for a cozy, warming twist that pairs wonderfully with the citrus notes.
Go Nuts or Seeds: Toss in toasted walnuts or pumpkin seeds for extra crunch and a nutty flavor that compliments the fruit well.
Swap Fruits: If kiwi isn’t your thing, sliced pear or pomegranate seeds work beautifully too, and you’ll still get that vibrant color and texture.
Adjust the Sweetness: Play with honey/agave amounts based on how tart your fruit is or your personal preference—you’ll quickly learn what level feels just right.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Winter Fruit Salad with Citrus Dressing Recipe

Step 1: Prep the Fruit with Care

First things first, slice your apples into bite-size pieces. I find slicing them thinly then chopping helps keep things even and easy to eat. Next, peel and separate your clementines, then halve and slice your kiwi lengthwise before cutting into smaller pieces. Remove the pomegranate arils carefully to avoid smashing — I like to do this over a bowl of water to separate the seeds from the pith easily.

Step 2: Whisk Up the Citrus Dressing

In a small bowl, whisk together your fresh orange juice with honey or agave until smooth. This simple dressing is the real hero here—it adds a lovely zing that coats the fruit and brings out each flavor without feeling heavy.

Step 3: Combine Gently to Preserve Texture

Pour the dressing over the fruit mixture and use a large spoon to gently fold everything together. Be careful not to mash the softer fruits — you want everything coated and shiny without turning into mush. Taste as you go, and add a bit more sweetener or orange juice if it feels like it needs a little boost.

Step 4: Let It Chill and Marinate

I recommend letting your Winter Fruit Salad with Citrus Dressing sit covered in the fridge for at least 15-30 minutes before serving—this lets the flavors bond and the juice soften the fruit just enough. It makes it taste even fresher and more vibrant.

Top Tip

Over time, I’ve learned that handling the fruit gently and taking the time to chill the salad makes all the difference between a good fruit salad and a great one. Here are some of my best tips for success.

Choose Firm Fruit: Soft or overripe fruit breaks down too quickly and changes the salad’s texture unpleasantly.
Prep Pomegranate Carefully: Removing arils over a bowl of water helps avoid the bitter white parts mixing in.
Dress Just Before Serving: Coat the fruit gently and give it time to soak, but don’t make it hours ahead or the salad can get watery.
Taste as You Go: The dressing is very forgiving, so adjust sweetener and citrus balance to your liking before serving.

How to Serve Winter Fruit Salad with Citrus Dressing Recipe

Garnishes

I’m a sucker for adding a little fresh mint or finely chopped basil on top—it adds a lovely herbal note and brightens up the salad even more. Sometimes I sprinkle in some toasted coconut flakes or a handful of edible flowers for an extra pop of color and texture.

Side Dishes

This salad pairs wonderfully with simple breakfasts like warm oatmeal or yogurt bowls, and it’s equally at home alongside holiday brunch fare like quiches or savory scones. I’ve also brought it to potlucks where it was a refreshing contrast to heavier mains.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I like serving this Winter Fruit Salad with Citrus Dressing Recipe in individual glass jars or clear bowls so everyone can see the beautiful layers. Another idea is to hollow out citrus halves and use them as natural serving bowls—that always impresses guests and keeps things festive.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover salad in an airtight container in the fridge and try to eat it within 2-3 days. The fruit will continue to soften as it absorbs the dressing’s juice, which is great if you like a very juicy salad, but too long and it can get mushy, especially the apples.

Freezing

This salad doesn’t freeze well because the fruit’s texture changes dramatically when thawed. I recommend enjoying it fresh or refrigerated rather than freezing.

Reheating

This dish is best served cold or at room temperature, so I simply take leftovers out of the fridge about 15 minutes before serving to take the chill off. Reheating isn’t necessary or recommended for fruit salads.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use other fruits in the Winter Fruit Salad with Citrus Dressing Recipe?

Absolutely! This recipe is very flexible. Try adding pears, oranges, or even pomegranate seeds to suit your taste and what’s in season.

How long can I store this fruit salad?

You can keep the salad refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 2-3 days. After that, the fruit may start to soften too much and release extra juice.

Can I make this recipe vegan?

Yes! Simply use agave syrup or another plant-based sweetener instead of honey to keep the salad vegan-friendly.

Should I peel the kiwi for the salad?

Most people prefer peeling the kiwi for a smoother texture and more pleasant eating experience, but if you enjoy the skin’s texture and nutrients, you can leave it on after washing the fruit well.

Final Thoughts

This Winter Fruit Salad with Citrus Dressing Recipe is one of my all-time favorites for bringing fresh, healthy brightness to the winter table. I know you'll appreciate how easy it is to make, how fresh the flavors taste, and how versatile it is for any occasion. Give it a try—you might just make it a new seasonal staple too!