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.
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