The perfect summer fruit salad with a surprise, secret ingredient. This delicious fruit salad is easy to make, delicious, and so refreshing.
The bright colors of a fruit salad are perfect any time of the year, so I love having a great fruit salad recipe at the ready. And while most fruit salads don’t really need a recipe, it’s always nice to have one to get the quantities of fruit right.
This Secret Ingredient Fruit Salad has been a family favorite ever since my sister-in-law introduced it to us quite a few years ago. It’s easy, quick, and affordable – because some fruit salads can cost a small fortune in fruit.
This fruit salad simply calls for blueberries, strawberries, green seedless grapes and that secret ingredient. (We’ll get to that big secret here in a sec…)
What is Fruit Salad?
Fruit salad is a dish typically made of a combination of various fresh fruits as a dessert, appetizer, or side dish. Not all fruit salads are the same but most commonly feature fresh fruits like grapes, blueberries, strawberries, apple slices, and pineapple slices. A refreshing and cold dish, fruit salad traditionally is mixed with honey, a yogurt-based dressing, or pie/fruit filling. It may be served on its own or over ice cream, yogurt, and pancakes or waffles. Fruit salad is a popular dish during the hot summer months at potlucks, parties, and picnics.
Fruit salad is beautiful, vibrant, and relatively affordable because of the ingredients. Other less common ingredients are raspberries, bananas, kiwi, and blackberries. Most recommend refraining from including apples and bananas because they can brown and darken the vibrancy of fruit salad! Enjoy!
What is the secret ingredient in this fruit salad?
Okay. I’ll let you in on the secret… Every fruit salad needs a great dressing, right? It adds a pop of flavor and a little sweetness to fruit that might not be at its peak. It also helps to pull it all together.
So what does that in this recipe? Simple. A can of peach pie filling. Seriously. The pie filling not only adds some delicious peaches (already peeled and sliced I might add), it also works perfectly as the sauce to make this simple salad sing!
I know! I was just as surprised the first time I had it, too! But it works beautifully and tastes amazing!
What fruits don’t go together in fruit salad?
While, I don’t like to tell people what they can’t put in their fruit salad, there are a few fruits, I would suggest you refrain from using. Truth is, some fruits are generally considered less suitable for fruit salads due to their texture, flavor, or tendency to overpower other fruits. Here are a few fruits I recommend you avoid using in your fruit salad:
Citrus fruits, likes oranges and grapefruits: Citrus fruits with membranes can make the texture of the fruit salad less appealing. It’s just not a texture I think goes well in a fruit salad.
Very ripe bananas: While I love a banana, ripe bananas can cause a mushy mess in a fruit salad. They can also turn brown and make it just look less pretty. And, you want a pretty fruit salad, am I right?!
Melons, like watermelon and cantaloupe: Now, don’t come at me! I love watermelon and cantaloupe. The issue here is that they have a high water content. This leads to the release of excess moisture, making the salad watery and diluted.
Can I use other pie fillings?
I often get asked about using other pie fillings and while I think they’d taste great, a blueberry or strawberry pie filling is going to turn the whole dish a different color because of the colored filling. Since the peach is relatively clear, you get to see all the pretty fruit colors through. And while apple would be pretty clear too, it’s going to have cinnamon in it, and that might not be the best flavor to add to your fruit salad.
What fruit can you cut the night before?
If you are following this exact recipe, then you can cut the strawberries the night before. You could even cut up the grapes. I don’t recommend cutting up blueberries. I really don’t know why you would want to, but also because they can get a little mushy when cut.
Ingredients
- 1 pint blueberries about 2 cups
- 1 lb strawberries
- 1 lb seedless green grapes about 3 cups
- 1 (21-ounce) can peach pie filling
Instructions
- Wash the fruit well and place it on paper towels to dry completely. Hull and slice the strawberries. Combine the fruit in a large bowl and pour the peach pie filling over. Stir gently to combine. Refrigerate for about an hour. Serve chilled.
Nutrition
* If nutritional values are provided, they are an estimate and will vary depending on the brands used. The values do not include optional ingredients or when ingredients are added to taste. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, I recommend grabbing your favorite brands and plugging those ingredients into an online nutritional calculator.
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Can I use kiwi and sliced apples
You can, but keep in mind some apples can turn brown pretty quickly.
Do you think cherries would be good in the salad?
I do!
I haven’t made this yet but I am going to make it very soon. It sounds delightful and delicious. My family loves fruit 🍉 salad and it’s healthy and refreshing
Sure hope you love this!
This sounds like a winner to me.Great idea! When I was 14, I was raving how great the fruit salad was we had received from our neighbour. Secret ingredient? Peach schnapps! It did not taste alcoholic. But it was fabulous! This sounds very much the same minus the alcohol.🙂
Hope you’ll enjoy this version, too!
I made this for a treat, heading down to my son and his wife’s home for the afternoon, who live one hour south of my hubby and I. All four of us just loved it so much!!! No one guessed the secret ingredient! It was so yummy!!!
That’s awesome! So glad y’all enjoyed it!
If peach pie filling isn’t available, can canned peaches in heavy syrup work?
I’ve not tried that to be able to say. My biggest concern would be the syrup’s sweetness and thickness.
My mom made this salad. She put mandarin oranges drained and you can put banana in too it will not turn dark
Thanks for the tip, Betty!
This is a great recipe and close to what we made at VCU, Richmond VA, 1970’s. The Chef had me add this to it; mix warmed honey, grated ginger sometimes chopped mint to the pie filling. Had to be at the kitchen by 5:00 am to make lots of it. Sometimes he switched fruit depending on what was ordered. Loved when mango was available. Thanks for posting it.
Sounds great! Thanks, Ree!
if you double the recipe do you use 2 cans of pie filling?sharon
Yep, you’ll want to double everything.
How long can I store this in the refrigerator once it’s made
Ovenight is typically about as long as it will last, as the colors will start to bleed, and it just doesn’t look as great. I, personally, think this is best served pretty quickly after making.
Made it for our Easter brunch- so good! I loved the peaches. Will make this again! Thank you Stacey for another delicious recipe!
So glad y’all enjoyed it!
I could live on fruit alone…lol This sounds so good. I would have never thought of using peach pie filling. I will have to try this! Thanks for the idea!
Hope you enjoy it!
Do you add the peach syrup?
If you’re referring to the thick liquid in the can of pie filling, yes. That’s what creates the dressing for your fruit salad.
This was delicious – took it to The Joy
this was delicious – took it to a church Joy Class Meeting and it was a hit. I did add one additional item, being southern I added PECANS, soooooo goood. This is a MUST TRY!!
Glad to hear everyone enjoyed it, Bonnie!
Our family enjoys fruit salads. We will try this one this weekend but will try apricot pie filling instead of peach.
Hope y’all enjoy it! I’m not sure I’ve ever seen apricot pie filling. Sounds great!
This is delicious! I served it at a buffet and everyone loved it . I did add pineapple chunks, mandarin oranges,Blueberries and raspberries.
Thanks, Linda! Love that combo!
I made this fruit salad for Christmas Eve Cookie Decorating Brunch at my son’s home, which included lots of adults and kids. This fruit bowl didn’t last very long either!!!! Everyone was raving about how delicious and tasty it was. My husband raved so much, that I came home and halved the recipe for the two of us. Thank you for this wonderful recipe which was shared with lots of family members.
I’m so glad everyone enjoyed it, Dianna!
I’ve made the numerous times and always get compliments. I sometimes add marachino cherries for another texture.
Love that! Thanks, Holly!
Can I use frozen blueberries?
Frozen blueberries will work, but they can bleed a little color and add extra liquid. Just thaw them, drain well, and gently fold them in right before serving. Enjoy!
Can I put pineapple in this fruit salad.
Absolutely, you can add pineapple to the fruit salad! Just toss it in right before serving to keep the dressing from getting too runny. Enjoy!
DELICIOUS! Great recipe!! Very colorful and fresh! I am very interested however, in the brand of peaches used in the picture in the recipe. My peaches were very dull/tan colored. I did pick through a few cans and get the best ones I could find! I doubled the fruit and only used about 1 1/2 cans of peach pie filling. I will definitely be making this again!
It looks beautiful, Kim! I have noticed that sometimes there is a variation in color between brands.
Stacey which brand if peach pie filling would you recommend?
I typically use Duncan Hine/Comstock, but have used Lucky Leaf as well.
Can you put raspberries in this fruit salad
You can, but they’re so soft, they may break up when stirring it together. You could always sprinkle some on top right before serving.
Hi Stacey! Nice recipe and I’m going to make it, but I will use fresh peaches and not canned ones . I want it fresh all the way! Thanks, Bet
What a coincidence. I made fruit salad today with what I had on hand. Strawberries, blueberries, green grapes and fresh peaches. For the sweetener I just drizzled a little honey over it. It’s delicious. Never thought about using a pie filling. Hmmm?
It has great flavor and is such a good shortcut!
Almost too easy! This is delicious. My family always request it. I prep the fruit the night before chilling the fruit and the pie filling in the fridge until the day I serve it. Extra yummy!
So smart! Thanks for sharing that, Cheryl! So glad to hear you’ve enjoyed it!
I made this for a women’s group meeting and it was a huge hit! I was wondering if I could make this the night before for an early morning get together?
I’m so glad to hear it was a hit at your meeting! You could make it the night before, but just keep in mind that the fruit might release some water, which could make the “dressing” a bit runny.
Thank you! I think you’re right.
This Hidden Ingredient Fruit Salad is amazing. My husband and I love it! This recipe is delicious ! Still fresh today!
I’m so glad y’all enjoyed the Fruit Salad! It’s always great to hear when a recipe is a hit.
I think I commented on this recipe before but when I saw it again I had to vouch fir how good it is! I could just eat it straight out of the serving bowl!
I’m so glad to hear that you love the recipe, Susan! Eating it straight from the serving bowl sounds like a delicious plan. Thanks for your support!
Stacy I love your recipes!!! Regarding the fruit salad, my Dad always put mandarin oranges in his fruit salad. How do you feel about adding them to this?? Keep creating all of your delicious recipes!!!
Thanks so much for the love! Mandarin oranges sound like a fantastic addition to the fruit salad. Just a heads-up, they can be a little soft and break up when mixing, so I’d suggest folding them in gently at the end.
Thank you so much!
I have made this fruit salad. To the peach pie filling, I add a few drops of almond extract, and it is delicious.
That sounds amazing! I love almond too, and adding it to peach pie filling is such a great idea.
I usually add a drained small can of mandarin oranges to mine. Also, my family sometimes add sliced banana too.
That sounds delicious! I love the idea of adding mandarin oranges for a sweet twist, and bananas are a great choice too. Thanks for sharing your family’s variation!
Let me tell you this is a sinful treat! Lol, all the ingredients are good and healthy until you get to the peach pie filling. The filling is loaded with sugar (19g includes 15g added sugars=30%)! Get a miniature pudding cup when serving, eat no more than that if you’re watching your sugar intake.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts! Moderation is key, and a smaller serving can definitely help.
Hi Stacey, this looks beautiful and delicious. Do you have any fruit salad recipes using canned fruits? I was at an event several years ago and someone had used canned fruit and mixed it with yogurt or pudding. It was delicious.
Hi Jeanie! This is the only one I have right now that has any type of canned fruit in it.
Easy, mostly healthy, and turned my extended family into gluttons who ate every piece.
Happy to hear they devoured it, liz! Any way to get folks to eat their fruits and veggies, right!?
Can’t find Peach Pie Filling in my area.. what can I use as a substitute?
Thank you
I would guess another pie filling could work. Just keep in mind something like a cherry pie filling will turn the entire salad red.
Order from Walmart or Amazon
So easy, delicious crowd pleaser
Thanks so much!!
Just made this for Mother’s Day tomorrow !! It is fabulous !! My new go to fruit salad !! I used Lucky Leaf peach pie filling and itt has a ton of peaches in it !! Thanks for another awesome recipe !!
You’re so welcome, Laurie! So glad to hear it turned out great for you!
Looks great, making tomorrow but I had to comment because of your name 🙂
I was a little disappointed in this recipe due to the peach pie filling not having many peaches in it. It added too much of the sweet filling & not enough peaches to the salad. What brand peach pie filling did you use? I used Duncan Hines Simply peach pie filling.
Unfortunately, I can’t control that. I have found that to be the case with some brands, though. I normally use the Comstock brand because that’s usually all I can find locally.
First time made & got compliments! I used Lucky Leaf peach pie filling no figh fructose corn syrup, gluten free, non gmo, 90 calories per serving firm peach slices, & since first time made I chilled the pie filling too & I only used the peach slices which had plenty of syrup clinging to peaches for my taste-
That’s awesome to hear! I’m glad you got compliments on your salad! Using Lucky Leaf peach pie filling sounds like a great choice.
This was fabulous and so easy! Definitely will make this on often!
So glad to hear you enjoyed it!
Excellent healthy salad. Very tasty and so festive in appearance.
Glad you enjoyed it!
If you double the recipe , do you also double the amount of peach pie filling you use?
Looks super yummy!! Can’t wait to try this. Thanks for sharing.
Hope you’ll enjoy it!
Green grapes are a little on the tart side, would red seedless grapes work?
Sure!
I have been making this for quite some time. It is delicious and a definite “keeper”
Thank you!!
Sounds wonderful and I hope to try it soon.
By the way, I live in Monroeville and I want you to know that you did a great job on GGG. You should have won in my opinion. We were having some bad weather that night and weather alerts kept knowing the show off. Just as they were going to announce the winner, an alert knocked the show off. I was so glad that I had recorded it for later that night and I was able to watch the ending the next day. Hopefully you’ll be invited back one day and I know you would be the big winner.
Thanks so much, Sylvia!!
I’ve made this in the past, and it is outstanding! Thanks for the reminder; I believe I will make it again, to go with our July 4th barbecue. 😀
Thanks, Stella! Enjoy!
My mom made this a lot. She used a can of maAdrian oranges and bananas will not turn in this salad Also put red cherries in it
Hmmm… I’m glad to hear she didn’t have trouble with them turning. Might want to eat it quickly after making if adding the bananas. I’ve not had much success keeping them from turning.
I’ve made this salad twice now for family get togethers. It was a big hit! When people ask what the glaze is, they can’t believe it’s that simple.
Simply delicious!
Right!? Glad to hear it impressed!
This so Good! A suggestion for individual servings, spoon it over a glazed donut, then top with whip cream. Voila! Fruit Salad Shortcake!
GENIUS!! Love this idea! Thanks for sharing, Carolyn!
Do you think watermellon would be good to add also. they are so sweet this year.
I don’t see why not!
Can you use frozen fruit instead of fresh…there isn’t much fresh fruit in season right now
I would imagine so, just know it won’t be quite the same. Just be sure to thaw and drain the fruit very well.
Hi, I have the same question about frozen fruit. I Plan to buy all fresh- except the frozen peaches. The frozen peaches I have in my freezer have a syrup. Once it thaws, I think it’ll act just like a can of peaches.
This has been our family fruit salad for years now! Sometimes just before I serve it I
will add a banana especially if I’m pretty sure there will not be any leftover.
Great tip! Thanks, Debe! Glad to hear you’ve enjoyed this one!
I never thought about peach pie filling. Good to know. I will use the juice or light syrup from canned mandarin oranges.
The juice may make it slightly more “watery”. May be better with the light syrup.
Making it for a shower? How many dies this serve?
Love this fruit salad! Can it be made a day before?
Sure!
I am in a pinch! Making this salad tomorrow. I can’t find any canned peach pie filling. Can I use peaches in heavy syrup instead? Thank you
It would probably work!
I made this today for a family get together! It was the hit of the day! Will make very often this summer Thank you!
So glad to hear y’all enjoyed it!
I made this for an extended family event and it was an instant hit! I doubled the ingredients as it was a larger crowd and every spoonful was eaten! I used a combination of blueberries and blackberries which was a nice addition to the mix. I will make this again!
Blackberries sound perfect! Happy to hear it turned out great for you!
Has any one ever used cherry pie filling or apple pie filling just to change flavor once in awhile
I haven’t but I’m sure it would be great!
Is this peach pie filling ? Or canned peaches. I can’t find pie filling in my stores.
It’s the peach pie filling.
Finally found peach pie filling, made it for homecoming today and everyone enjoyed!
Oh good!
Haven’t tried yet, but it looks very appealing. I just have a question about cinnamon. NMHO, I think there is very little that cinnamon can’t be used with. To me it enhances the flavor of whatever it is used with.
I agree!
20113, eh? Quick—tell us what tech to invest in! 😉
Oh so sorry about that…corrected it!
Is it okay wash all the fruit the day before and assemble it the morning of?
Sure!
BEST EVER FRIUT SALAD! PEACH PIE FILLING WAS A LITTLE HARD TO FIND BUT WELL WORTH IT! DID NOT DISAPPOINT!
So glad it turned out great for you!
The Secret Ingredient Fruit Salad was a huge hit and diet friendly!
So glad to hear it turned out great for you!!
I have been looking for a fruit salad recipe to switch out with the one I have made for year’s. I think this one sound’s and look’s Perfectly Splendid.
Thank you
Sure hope you enjoy it!!
Sounds great, but actually cinnamon and honey gives the fruit salad an excellent taste too. I never thought of peach pie filling….sounds amazing.
Thanks, Reese!
Can you put this together the day before ?
Yes, but some of the colors may bleed.
One of my aunts used to make this, and I always thought it was so good! Thank you for reminding me with this delicious memory!
I love how food does that!
Hi, Stacey!!
We like to add a splash (or three) of Amaretto or rum and serve this over toasted slices of pound cake for dessert…of course, a plop of freshly whipped cream on top, too. It is soo good!
Oh my! I love the amaretto idea! I’m a big almond fan. I’ll be trying this for sure!!
I’m not a blueberry fan. Have you ever tried a substitute for the blueberries?
You can simply leave them out if you wish or substitute them with another berry.
I made this fruit salad for a dessert course when we had friends over for dinner. It was a hit. Thanks for a super easy and tasty fruit salad recipe.
So glad everyone enjoyed it!!
I can’t find peach pie filling (stuck here in California, longing for the South)
Oh no!!!
IF you have trouble finding peach pie filling, word Amazon. com you can get it most of the time in two days,
We love this fruit salad! We stretch it even further by starting with two cans of drained fruit cocktail with the peach pie filling. We then add strawberries, grapes, blueberries, etc. My grandkids love it!!!
Sounds great!!!
We have used this recipe for fruit salads at my church for years. It is amazing how big a salad you can make with just one can of the pie filling. We use either peach or apricot. One of the best things is you can use bananas or apples and the pie filling coats them so they don’t turn brown as quickly.
Yep, and it’s so easy too!!
Peach pie filling is also used in what we call “stained glass fruit salad”. We use bananas, strawberries, pineapple chunks and any other fruit you like. It is at almost every church dinner! Sooo good!
Yum!
How many ounces were those dishes in the picture? And how many dishes did you fill with this recipes or how many does this recipes serve?
I made this fruit salad today for lunch. It was marvelous. Thanks so much. Love your recipes, it’s like home.
Nellie, I couldn’t have asked for a better compliment! Thanks so much for letting me know. 🙂
Hi Stacey,
My family has loved this recipe for years, but some couldn’t eat it because they were diabetic.
I came up with a low sugar alternative I wanted to share.
Take a jar of the Simply Fruit Jam and mix with a drained can of no-sugar added sliced peaches.
Mix well and then add fresh fruit as directed. Taste like the original recipe without the sugar.
Love your recipes!!
Thanks so much, Ivy! This is a WONDERFUL idea! Now you’ve got me craving some cake. Can’t beat Ligers! I need to head your way soon!
Which flavor of Simply Fruit?
This is a wonderful fruit salad and is very easy to make. I think adults and children will both love this!
You are so sweet! Thanks!
This is my “go to” fruit recipe, I used it this week when I took breakfast to a family who had lost a loved one. I freeze it and use it for tailgating at AU, War Eagle:) It stays in the frig when my children and grandchildren come to visit… etc. etc etc!
We sure love it at our house! (War Eagle!)
I think adding the Pie filling is AWESOME!! Great thinking!! 🙂
Now this is what I call plumb larrapin!! It is easy and with the fesh fruit coming into season everything is easy to get. Thanks for the easy recipe.
Claudine in Fort Worth, TX