This post was originally published on June 11, 2013 and was updated on April 27, 2021.
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…)
I like this particular combination of fruit because the colors are beautiful and vibrant and because those particular ingredients are relatively affordable. That said, you could absolutely make it your own by swapping things out. Raspberries and blackberries look beautiful in this and I’ve been known to add some diced fresh pineapple to this, too. It’s really your call. I would just caution against adding things like bananas or apples that might turn brown and not look super inviting.
Now let’s talk about this secret ingredient… 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), but the pie filling 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!
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 so you get to see all the pretty fruit through it. 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.
So add this super simple and crazy delicious fruit salad to your next menu and watch it disappear.
Recipe Card
Secret Ingredient Fruit Salad
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.
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!