What Goes with Fruit Salad for Dinner (25 Tasty Ideas To Try)

Figuring out what to serve with fruit salads for dinner can be tricky. Do you go the sweet route or the savory one? We say, why not both?

In this article, we’ll be sharing a list of sides that we spent over a month testing. We hope that this will give you some ideas of what to serve with your fruit salad for dinner.

We’ll also be giving our two cents on why the options we chose are so good.

What to Serve with Fruit Salad for Dinner

1. Grilled Marinated Chicken
2. Creamy Macaroni and Cheese
3. Peanut Butter Cookies
4. Homemade Croutons
5. BBQ Rubbed Pork Chops and Peaches
6. Maple Barbecue Chicken Wings
7. Baked Omelette with Tomatoes and Onions
8. Baked Potato Fries with Sour Cream

Grilled Marinated Chicken

If you’re looking for a healthy and flavorful dish to serve at your next cookout, try grilling marinated chicken. Not only is it a lean source of protein, but the marinade also helps to keep the chicken moist and tender.

To make a simple marinade, combine equal parts olive oil and lemon juice with some garlic, salt, and pepper. Then, just let the chicken soak in the mixture for at least 30 minutes before grilling.

For added flavor, you can also add some fresh herbs like basil or thyme. Serve the chicken with a fruit salad for a complete meal that is sure to please your guests.

Grilled Marinated Chicken with Lemon and Herbs

• Ingredients: 4 chicken breasts, 1 lemon, 1/4 cup olive oil, 3 cloves garlic, 1 tsp rosemary, 1 tsp thyme, salt and pepper
• Average Cook Time: 1 hour (including marination)
• Instructions:
  1. Zest and juice the lemon.
  2. Mix lemon zest, juice, olive oil, minced garlic, rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper.
  3. Marinate chicken for at least 30 minutes.
  4. Grill until fully cooked.

Creamy Macaroni and Cheese

Macaroni and cheese is classic comfort food that can be enjoyed any time of year. While it is typically associated with winter, this dish can be quite light and refreshing when served with a summery fruit salad.

The creamy sauce and cheesy pasta are the perfect foil for the sweetness of the fruit, and the colorful salad provides a vibrant contrast to the yellow macaroni.

Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight dinner or a potluck dish that will please a crowd, this creamy macaroni and cheese are sure to hit the spot. Serve it with a simple fruit salad for a complete meal.

Creamy Macaroni and Cheese with Bacon and Jalapeño

• Ingredients: 2 cups macaroni, 2 cups shredded cheddar, 1 cup milk, 1/2 cup cream, 4 slices bacon, 1 jalapeño, salt and pepper
• Average Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Instructions:
  1. Cook macaroni until al dente.
  2. Cook bacon and chop. Slice jalapeño.
  3. Heat milk and cream, add cheese until melted.
  4. Combine all ingredients and bake for 10 minutes at 375°F.

Peanut Butter Cookies

Peanut butter cookies are a classic dessert that goes well with fruit salad. The cookies are made with peanut butter, flour, sugar, butter, eggs, and baking soda, are typically round, and have a crisscross pattern on top.

These cookies can be made in advance and stored in an airtight container for up to two weeks. When ready to serve, the cookies you can place them on a plate or platter with the fruit salad.

The fruit salad can be made with any combination of fruits, such as grapes, strawberries, blueberries, and oranges, along with a dressing, such as honey-lime or poppy seed. Peanut butter cookies and fruit salad make a great dessert for any occasion.

Peanut Butter Cookies with Chocolate Chips

• Ingredients: 1 cup peanut butter, 1 cup sugar, 1 egg, 1/2 cup chocolate chips
• Average Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Instructions:
  1. Mix peanut butter, sugar, and egg.
  2. Fold in chocolate chips.
  3. Form into balls and bake at 350°F for 10 minutes.

Homemade Croutons

Croutons are one of those things that you never really need, but when you have them, they make everything better. Like a good friend, they’re always there for you when you need them – whether you’re topping off a salad or just looking for a tasty snack. And unlike most friends, they’re extremely easy to make at home. All you need is a little bit of bread and some imagination.

For the bread, any kind will do – just make sure it’s nice and dry so that it doesn’t get too soggy when you add the dressing. As for the imagination, that’s entirely up to you.

Season your croutons with whatever you like – salt, pepper, garlic powder, parmesan cheese, dried herbs, and the list goes on. Just make sure to cut them into bite-sized pieces so that they’re easy to eat. And there you have it – homemade croutons that are sure to please even the pickiest of eaters.

So go ahead and enjoy your salad – with or without the croutons. Either way, it’ll be delicious.

Homemade Croutons with Garlic and Parmesan

• Ingredients: 4 slices bread, 1/4 cup olive oil, 2 cloves garlic, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan, salt and pepper
• Average Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Instructions:
  1. Cut bread into cubes.
  2. Mix olive oil, minced garlic, Parmesan, salt, and pepper.
  3. Toss bread in mixture and bake at 375°F for 10 minutes.

BBQ Rubbed Pork Chops and Peaches

The sweet and savory flavors of bbq rubbed pork chops and peaches are the perfect addition to any summer meal. The pork chops are rubbed with a blend of smoked paprika, chili powder, and brown sugar, then grilled to perfection.

The peaches are first roasted in a little bit of olive oil and honey, then grilled until they’re nice and caramelized. Serve the pork chops and peaches with a fresh fruit salad for a complete meal that is sure to please your guests. And don’t forget the cold beer or iced tea to wash it all down!

BBQ Rubbed Pork Chops and Peaches

• Ingredients: 2 pork chops, 2 peaches, 1/4 cup BBQ rub, 1 tbsp olive oil
• Average Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Instructions:
  1. Rub pork chops with BBQ rub.
  2. Slice peaches.
  3. Grill pork chops and peaches until done.

Maple Barbecue Chicken Wings

Serve up something different at your next backyard barbecue with maple barbecue chicken wings. They’re sticky, sweet, and guaranteed to be a hit with your guests!

The key to making these wings extra special is in the coating. First, you’ll need to mix maple syrup and barbecue sauce. Then, the chicken wings are cooked in this mixture until they’re nice and sticky. Finally, they’re grilled to perfection.

If you’re looking for a unique twist on classic BBQ chicken, give these maple barbecue chicken wings a try! Serve them with a fruit salad for a complete meal and enjoy!

Maple Barbecue Chicken Wings

• Ingredients: 1 lb chicken wings, 1/2 cup BBQ sauce, 1/4 cup maple syrup
• Average Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Instructions:
  1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
  2. Mix BBQ sauce and maple syrup.
  3. Coat wings and bake for 35 minutes.

Baked Omelette with Tomatoes and Onions

Baked omelette is a delicious and easy way to feed a crowd. It’s packed with flavourful tomatoes and onions and can be easily customized with your favorite herbs and spices. Serve it with a simple fruit salad for a complete breakfast or brunch.

To make the omelet, start by sautéing the tomatoes and onions in a bit of olive oil until they’re soft. Then, whisk together some eggs, milk, and seasonings. Pour the mixture into a baking dish, and top with shredded cheese. Bake for about 20 minutes, or until the egg is set. Serve the omelet hot, topped with additional diced tomatoes and onions, if desired.

A simple fruit salad along the omelet makes a complete meal. I like to use a mix of seasonal fruits, such as strawberries, blueberries, and grapes. Add a drizzle of honey or maple syrup, and you’re good to go!

Baked Omelette with Tomatoes and Onions

• Ingredients: 4 eggs, 1 tomato, 1 onion, 1/4 cup milk, salt and pepper
• Average Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Instructions:
  1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
  2. Sauté sliced onions and diced tomatoes.
  3. Whisk eggs, milk, salt, and pepper.
  4. Combine all ingredients and bake for 20 minutes.

Baked Potato Fries with Sour Cream

We all know that the key to a great meal is balance. You need a little bit of this, a little bit of that, and voila! But what happens when you want to add a little extra oomph to your meal without going overboard? That’s where baked potato fries with sour cream come in.

The perfect side dish to any fruit salad, these crispy fried potatoes are healthy and delicious. Plus, the sour cream adds a touch of creaminess that takes your meal from good to great. So go ahead and indulge; your taste buds will thank you!

Baked Potato Fries with Sour Cream and Chives

• Ingredients: 4 potatoes, 1/4 cup olive oil, salt and pepper, 1/2 cup sour cream, 1/4 cup chopped chives
• Average Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Instructions:
  1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
  2. Slice potatoes into fries.
  3. Toss in olive oil, salt, and pepper.
  4. Bake for 30 minutes.
  5. Serve with sour cream mixed with chives.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good dip or dressing for fruit salad?

A good dip or dressing for fruit salad can enhance the flavor of the dish. My favorites include honey mustard, balsamic vinaigrette, and BBQ sauce. But feel free to experiment with different flavors and combinations to find what you like best.

How can I make my fruit salad more interesting?

There are several ways to make your fruit salad more interesting. One option is to add a few simple seasonings. Try sprinkling on some salt, pepper, garlic powder, or parmesan cheese. You can also add some dried herbs, such as thyme or basil.

Another option is to add some cooked protein. Some good choices include grilled chicken, pork chops, or shrimp. Or, try adding some cooked vegetables, such as roasted brussels sprouts or sweet potatoes.

Finally, you can always dress up your fruit salad with a delicious dressing or sauce. Some of my favorites include honey mustard, balsamic vinaigrette, and BBQ sauce. Enjoy!

Can we just have fruit salad for dinner?

Yes, you can certainly have fruit salad for dinner. It’s a healthy and delicious option that is sure to please your taste buds. Plus, it’s a great way to get in some of your daily fruit intakes. So go ahead and enjoy!

Conclusion

Whether you’re looking for a simple and easy meal or something a little more indulgent, we listed several options for you. With the above options, you can enjoy a perfect fruit salad dinner any night of the week.