Grilled Fruit Salad with Lime
Yesterday was Father’s Day, and Danny gave up breakfast in bed to join his dad and the rest of the family for a good cause: the Procure 5k walk to raise funds for prostate cancer research.
Even Clara came along, and we strolled the course, not concerning ourselves with the time, but just happy to be together, and with a cancer survivor in our group.
When the race wrapped up, we headed back to the grandparents to jump in the pool and fire up the barbecue. I wanted to contribute a dessert that was refreshing after our (rather sweaty) walk and quick to toss together.
I decided on a colourful salad of grilled pineapple, mango, and peaches, with a handful of raspberries thrown in, and a squeeze of lime juice on the top. It was a fine, fine choice.
Grilling Fruit
If you want to bring out the natural sweetness of fruit, as well as add a subtle smoky flavor, then grilling is the way to go. After the fruit is cooked, you can refresh it with a squeeze of citrus juice and a grating of zest.
Fruit Grilling Tips:
- Choose firm, unblemished fruit that is not quite ripe, but still yielding.
- Be sure to brush the grill clean, and scrape off any charred meat remains.
- Keep a close eye on the fruit, as their natural sugars can cause them to burn quickly if left unattended.
- Serve grilled fruit while still slightly warm to fully capture the flavor of the fruit.
As I was plating this salad, I couldn’t help but think how amazing it would be wrapped in a paper-thin crepe, and topped with whipped cream, of course. Alternately, you could scoop some Greek yogurt on top of your grilled salad and call it lunch.
One thing is for sure, once you start grilling your fruit salad, you’ll be hooked. Here’s how to do it.
Grilled Fruit Salad with Lime Zest & Vanilla Sugar
Ingredients
- An assortment of fresh fruit peaches, plums, pineapple, mango, or pears
- olive oil
- 2 limes
- vanilla sugar or honey to taste
Instructions
- Preheat grill to 400F.
- Wash fruit and prep for grill. Cut stone fruit into quarters, and pineapple into wedges.
- Toss fruit in a teaspoon or so of olive oil and place on the grill.
- Grill 4-5 minutes per side, or until grill marks show.
- Remove from grill onto a cutting board. Chop fruit into large, rustic chunks and add to a bowl.
- Squeeze lime juice over fruit and add zest. Sprinkle vanilla sugar or drizzle honey over fruit.
- Toss gently and serve at once.
Notes
More Grilled Salads
Eating in season is one of the best ways to stretch the food budget over the summer and tossing a warm-weather staple like salad on the grill changes it up nicely.
Here are a few more options for grilled salads:
Grilled Caesar Salad
Get the recipe: Grilled Caesar Salad.
Grilled Peach, Haloumi, and Arugula Salad
Get the recipe: Grilled Peach, Haloumi, and Arugula Salad.
Grilled Corn & Avocado Salad with Lime & Basil
Get the recipe: Grilled Corn & Avocado Salad
What is your favorite fruit to throw on the grill?
Yum! I have never grilled fruit, but have seen it done a few times recently on the show Chopped (food network). It looks like it is easy enough, I think I might try it next weekend!
This looks delicious! Pineapple is definitely my favorite fruit to throw on the grill. 🙂
I second the love for grilled pineapple – I could eat an entire fruit that way! No sharing.
Looks absolutely yummy! I love summer for all the variety and salads you can make.
Definitely peaches! Your salads look beautiful – especially the Peach, Holoumi & Arugula Salad.
I’ve never grilled fruit before but it looks delicious. And I’m now craving the corn avocado salad…
Gosh, the photo of the bowls with the fruit salad is beautiful, fresh and super inviting! I grew up i Mexico for most of my summers (that is where I am from and my family is). And grilling fruits with lime is a staple. Well, any fruit with lime is staple. This reminds me so much of those hot summer days with a giant bowl of fruit. Love this recipe, thanks!
Looks gorgeous! Definitely will help us break out of the grilling meat rut! Somehow I am thinking if it involves fruit, my girls will be sure to eat it, too. Thanks so much.
I’m in love with the fruit salad for sure, but that last salad – the grilled corn and avocado – I am very happy to see! We have a ton of leftover grilled corn from a barbecue yesterday, and I’ve been trying to think of a way to use it. Yum!
Great tips on grilling fruit! That peach and halloumi salad looks to die for. Now I’m set on trying to grill slices of watermelon tonight and serving it with a dollop of Greek yogurt like you mentioned and maybe some fresh mint from the garden!
I adore grilled salads and this one looks delicious, Aimee!!
This is such a gorgeous salad, Aimée! It’s the epitome of summer, and I absolutely can’t wait to try it!
Love this salad, says ‘summer’ on a plate. Cannot stop thinking of serving it over a dollop of home made vanilla ice cream!
I’ve never grilled fruit, but I’m going to have to change that soon! Looks absolutely delicious.
Grilled salad perfect for my diet. I love all your salad. I would list these foods for my diet list.
These Grilled Salads looks awesome and very delicious too. Specially the Grilled Corn & Avocado Salad with Lime & Basil. I must try this sometime. Thanks for sharing your recipe with us!
I love summer time because there are so many delicious things that are so healthy at the same time. Grilling makes everything taste better! I can’t wait to try a grilled fruit salad – yum!
Yum. I may try this on skewers for our 4th of July party.
Mmmm, I have to try that! I also never grilled fruit before but have seen it on cooking shows. It is definitely worth a try with the heat now making it less desirable than ever to want to cook anything (never mind eating it!) too heavy. Finding healthy meals that keep you cool is definitely on my to-do list right now! So thanks for this 😉
I love grilling fruit, it really seems to bring out the flavor. My favorite is peaches and pears. Oh, and pineapple too!
I have never try grilling fruits. But by looking on your grilled salads it seems very easy to make so you get my attention. I will try this one also.