Light, refreshing, and bursting with seasonal flavors, Italian Fruit Salad, or Macedonia di Frutta, is the perfect end to any meal. This simple yet beautiful dessert brings together ripe, juicy fruits with a splash of citrus to enhance every bite.
If you like this recipe you might like my Chicken Avocado Salad and my Italian Tuscan Bread Salad.
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Jump To
- 🛒 Simple Ingredients
- Variations
- 💖Why you'll love this recipe
- Equipment you need to make this recipe
- 🍽️ How to make Italian Fruit Salad
- Serving Bowl
- What to serve with Italian Fruit Salad
- 🫙 How to Store Leftover Fruit Salad
- ☑️ Our Top Tips
- FAQ's
- Some other recipes you'll love:
- 📖 Recipe
- Quick Italian Fruit Salad (Macedonia di Frutta)
Whenever I'm craving something light, refreshing, and naturally sweet, I turn to this Quick Italian Fruit Salad, also known as Macedonia di Frutta. It's a classic dessert you'll find all over Italy, especially in the warmer months.
Made with juicy strawberries, bananas, plums, blueberries, kiwis, and crisp apples, tossed simply with lemon juice, it's a vibrant, healthy treat that's perfect for any occasion. Whether you're hosting a summer lunch or looking for a no-fuss dessert, this Italian Fruit Salad recipe brings a burst of seasonal flavor to the table.
🛒 Simple Ingredients
What makes Macedonia di Frutta special is its simplicity and focus on ripe, quality fruits.
Here's what you'll need:
- Strawberries - Fresh and sweet, hulled and sliced.
- Bananas - Ripe but firm, sliced.
- Plums - Pitted and chopped for a juicy, tangy bite.
- Blueberries - Washed and whole.
- Kiwis - Peeled and sliced into half-moons.
- Apple - Crisp and diced; leave the peel on for color.
- Lemon Juice - Freshly squeezed to prevent browning and add brightness.
Optional Add-ins: A sprinkle of sugar for extra sweetness or a splash of orange or limoncello for a more indulgent twist.
Variations
Italian Fruit Salad is highly customizable depending on the season and your preferences.
- Seasonal Fruit: In summer, add peaches, apricots, or cherries. In winter, mix in pomegranate seeds or citrus segments.
- Herbs: Add a few fresh mint leaves for an extra burst of freshness.
- Liqueur: For a traditional adult twist, a splash of Marsala wine, limoncello, or rum can elevate the salad.
- Sweetener: Sprinkle a teaspoon of sugar or drizzle honey if your fruits are a little tart.
💖Why you'll love this recipe
- Quick and Easy: This Quick Italian Fruit Salad comes together in under 15 minutes with no cooking required.
- Healthy and Fresh: Packed with vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants, it's a naturally sweet dessert or snack.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it's a casual picnic, a summer BBQ, or a festive dinner, Macedonia di Frutta fits right in.
- Customizable: Use whatever seasonal fruits you have on hand to make it your own.
- Naturally Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free: A great option for guests with dietary restrictions.
- Authentic Italian Touch: Brings a little taste of Italy to your table, simple and elegant just like the best Italian recipes.
Equipment you need to make this recipe
- Cutting Board: A sturdy surface for chopping fruits.
- Paring Knife: Ideal for peeling and slicing fruits like kiwis and apples.
- Chef's Knife: Useful for cutting larger fruits such as melons or pineapples.
- Mixing Bowl: A large bowl to combine all the chopped fruits.
- Citrus Juicer or Reamer: To extract fresh lemon juice efficiently.
🍽️ How to make Italian Fruit Salad
Here is how to make this Italian Fruit Salad (the full recipe is below!):
Prep the fruit: Wash, peel (if needed), and chop all the fruit into bite-sized pieces.
Toss gently: Place the fruit in a large bowl. Drizzle with fresh lemon juice to keep the fruits vibrant and flavorful.
Chill: Let the salad sit in the fridge for about 30 minutes before serving to let the flavors meld.
Tip: Gently mix the salad with a large spoon to avoid bruising softer fruits like bananas and strawberries.
Serving Bowl
Presentation matters! Serve your Macedonia di Frutta in a clear glass bowl to show off the vibrant colors. For individual servings, use small glass dessert cups or mason jars for a charming touch.
📃 NOTE: Recipe card with detailed instructions are below! Print it out for later!
What to serve with Italian Fruit Salad
Chicken piccata is total comfort food and it goes really nicely with any roasted vegetable, side dish, pasta, or bread.
- 🍰 Sweet Pairings
- Strawberry Panna Cotta: A creamy Italian dessert topped with fresh strawberries, offering a smooth contrast to the fruit salad's freshness.
- Easy Italian Plum Cake: A soft, dairy-free cake made with seasonal plums, perfect for pairing with the vibrant flavors of the fruit salad.
- Mixed Berry Strata: A custard-soaked bread pudding featuring mixed berries, adding a comforting texture alongside the lightness of the fruit salad.
- 🥗 Savory Pairings
- Sicilian Fennel and Orange Salad: Combining crunchy fennel, juicy oranges, and pomegranate arils, this salad offers a refreshing and slightly tart complement to the sweet fruit salad.
- Italian Cucumber and Tomato Salad: A crisp mix of cucumbers and tomatoes tossed in a homemade vinegar dressing, providing a savory balance to the fruit salad's sweetness.
🫙 How to Store Leftover Fruit Salad
- Refrigerate: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. Best enjoyed within 1-2 days.
- Avoid Freezing: Freezing is not recommended as the fruit's texture will change upon thawing.
Note: The lemon juice helps preserve the fruit, but bananas may brown slightly over time.
☑️ Our Top Tips
- Choose ripe but firm fruit to avoid a mushy texture.
- Cut fruits uniformly for a consistent bite and better presentation.
- Toss with lemon juice immediately after cutting to prevent discoloration.
- Don't overmix to keep delicate fruits like bananas intact.
- Serve chilled but not frozen for the best flavor.
FAQ's
Yes! Prep it a few hours before serving. Add the bananas just before serving to keep them from browning.
The best combination uses a variety of textures and flavors: sweet strawberries and bananas, tart plums and kiwis, juicy blueberries, and crisp apple.
Sometimes! A sprinkle of sugar is traditional, but with ripe fruits, it's often unnecessary.
You can, but traditionally Macedonia is served on its own or with a splash of liqueur.
Some other recipes you'll love:
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📖 Recipe
Quick Italian Fruit Salad (Macedonia di Frutta)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 ripe bananas sliced
- 2 apples diced (leave peel on if preferred)
- 2 kiwis peeled and sliced
- 3 plums pitted and chopped
- 1 cup strawberries hulled and sliced
- 1 cup blueberries
- Juice of 2 lemons
Instructions
- Prepare all the fruits by washing, peeling (if necessary), and cutting them into bite-sized pieces.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the bananas, apples, kiwis, plums, strawberries, and blueberries.
- Drizzle the fresh lemon juice over the fruit and gently toss to combine.
- Refrigerate for about 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Serve chilled and enjoy!
Nutrition Disclaimer
Please keep in mind that the nutritional information presented below is an approximation and may vary depending on the exact ingredients used.
Notes
- Prepare all the fruits by washing, peeling (if necessary), and cutting them into bite-sized pieces.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the bananas, apples, kiwis, plums, strawberries, and blueberries.
- Drizzle the fresh lemon juice over the fruit and gently toss to combine.
- Refrigerate for about 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Serve chilled and enjoy!
Elizabeth says
This fruit salad was so easy to make and tasted great! Perfect for my brunch with girlfriends, everyone loved it!
Greta says
Reminds me of my childhood. I remember my mom making this fruit salad. Love it!
Leslie says
Perfect summer side recipe! This fruit salad has the best flavors mixed together. It's delicious!
Nora says
This Italian fruit salad looks like sunshine in a bowl! I love how simple and elegant it is—such a refreshing way to enjoy seasonal fruits.
Liz says
So delicious and refreshing! This is a salad I'll be making again and again this summer!
Paula says
This was a delicious fruit salad! I added everything you suggested and a few more things that I happened to have on hand and it was a huge hit.