Go Back
Fresh Thanksgiving fruit salad with apples, grapes, and assorted colorful fruits

Fresh Thanksgiving Fruit Salad

A refreshing and colorful fruit salad combining sweet apples, juicy grapes, and crunchy walnuts with a creamy dressing, perfect for Thanksgiving.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Thanksgiving
Calories: 150
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Fruits and Nuts
  • 1 cup Granny Smith apples, diced Use the skins for extra color and crunch.
  • 1 cup Gala apples, diced Use a mix of sweet and tart apples for flavor.
  • 3/4 cup celery, finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup green grapes Rinse thoroughly and pat dry before use.
  • 1/2 cup red grapes Rinse thoroughly and pat dry before use.
  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts Reserve some for garnish.
Creamy Dressing
  • 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream, cold Ensure it's chilled.
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise Can substitute with Greek yogurt for a lighter option.
  • 1 tablespoon powdered sugar Optional, adjust sweetness to preference.
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice Helps prevent browning of the apples.
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract Optional, adds flavor.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Wash the Granny Smith and Gala apples thoroughly, remove the cores, and cut them into bite-sized cubes, leaving the skins on.
  2. Place the diced apples in a large mixing bowl and drizzle with lemon juice; toss gently.
  3. Wash the celery stalks and chop them into small pieces; add to the bowl with the apples.
  4. Rinse the green and red grapes, pat dry, and cut them in half if desired; add to the fruit mixture.
  5. Roughly chop the walnuts and add most of them to the bowl, reserving a few for garnish.
Making the Dressing
  1. In a separate chilled mixing bowl, pour in the cold heavy whipping cream and beat on medium-high speed until soft peaks form, about 2-3 minutes.
  2. In a small bowl, stir together mayonnaise, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth.
  3. Gently fold the mayonnaise mixture into the whipped cream until combined.
Assembly
  1. Spoon the creamy dressing over the fruit and nuts mixture.
  2. Gently toss together until all fruit and nuts are evenly coated.
  3. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
  4. Before serving, give the salad a gentle stir and garnish with reserved walnuts.

Notes

Adjust sweetness by adding more or less powdered sugar. Toast the walnuts for extra flavor. This salad can be made a few hours in advance; cover and refrigerate until serving.