13 Fruits That Will Seriously Upgrade Your Salads

Oranges are a splendid addition to salads for a few reasons. Firstly, their orange hue contrasts with the leafy greens to make the salad more eye-catching. Their pulpy and succulent texture is distinct and offers the perfect balance of sweet and tart flavors. 

Not to mention, there are numerous types of oranges that vary in taste, so it won't be challenging to find one you like. Try Cara Cara, navel, or even a Seville orange — the latter is quite sour but tastes much better once you cook it. Blood oranges or tangerines have a pleasant bitterness, but you can use mandarins if you prefer something sweeter.  

Mandarins are also convenient because they're available pre-sliced, so you don't need to worry about peeling the fruit and separating the segments. If you choose to peel the oranges yourself, you can make candied orange peels and toss them in the salad. Or, try grilling the orange pieces to make a charred citrus salad recipe for a unique approach.

Another reason you should add oranges to your salad is their incredible nutritional value. You've likely heard that they are a fantastic way to introduce vitamin C into your diet, but they also contain a significant amount of fiber (via Healthline).

Everyone loves sweet and juicy strawberries. You can munch on them, throw them in smoothies, or use them to enhance desserts. So, why not liven up your salad with them too? The best way to add them to your dish is to chop off the ends and slice them into quarters first (if the berries are medium to large-sized). And while we're on the topic of strawberry sizes, you should choose smaller strawberries over larger ones because the tiny ones typically pack more flavor. 

Strawberries are the perfect berry to experiment with in your salads because they pair well with different foods. Go the simple route and create a strawberry spinach salad or construct an entirely customized bowl with all your favorite goodies. Try including pecans, avocado, blue cheese, chicken, cucumbers, or pork. The tasty fruit is also a good match for grains like quinoa, brown rice, and couscous. Whichever route you take, the bright berries will improve the salad because of their luscious flavor and firm texture.

Blueberries are arguably one of the most advantageous types of fruit to use in salads because they require minimal preparation. Also, for people who don't like fruit seeds, blueberries are exceptionally terrific because their seeds are so tiny that they're virtually unnoticeable. All you need to do before tossing them into a salad is to give them a quick rinse.

Another solid reason to consider adding blueberries to your salads is the fact that they're abundant in antioxidants which promote a healthy heart and prevent cancer (via National Foundation for Cancer Research). Notably, the fruit keeps cholesterol levels at bay, too, according to WebMD. So, blueberries are not only delectable but popping them into your salad could potentially improve your well-being if you consume them regularly. 

Some suggestions for salad toppings that are an excellent match for blueberries include feta cheese, red onions, dried cranberries, avocado, walnuts, and chicken. As far as the dressing goes, lemon vinaigrette will undoubtedly enhance the flavor of the blueberries. Meanwhile, if you want a creamier sauce, try blue cheese dressing.

Once you mix raspberries into your greens, you'll see why they aren't exclusively for desserts. Unlike other fruits on this list, raspberries are quite soft and have a hint of tanginess without being overly sweet. The vivid red berries are hard to miss, especially when plated with greens. 

They don't have a long life span once picked, so be sure you're aware of the best ways to store raspberries. Start by choosing a package that doesn't already have discolored or soft-looking berries. Once you get home, wash them in water with a bit of vinegar. Then, allow the berries to dry on paper towels before transferring them to your refrigerator. This way, when it is time to assemble your salad, you won't need to wash them.

For an easy option with delicious results, try making a raspberry salad with baby greens and raspberry-golden balsamic vinaigrette. Provided that you're fond of the taste, try a raspberry vinaigrette on the salad too. Otherwise, a classic balsamic vinaigrette is always a strong candidate. Onions, nuts, farro, steak, and goat cheese are other pairings to try with raspberries.

Mangoes are magnificent because they are creamy, fruity, and floral at the same. If you've been avoiding using the fruit in recipes because you don't know how to cut a mango, it's actually fairly straightforward. Since the fruit has a large seed in the center, you can't cut it directly in half. Instead, stand the fruit up, place the knife on the center, then move it ¼-inch outward and slice down. Repeat the process on both sides to bypass the pit. Once you split it, you'll have two large chunks of flesh that you can score in a crisscross fashion. Stop slicing each time the knife hits the skin, and you'll end up with small diced pieces you can scoop out with a spoon.

Enjoy mango with tropical flavors, such as in a mango avocado salad recipe along with shrimp, arugula, and avocado. Pair it with a fruity dressing made with orange juice, rice wine vinegar, olive oil, and seasonings. If you don't want to deal with slicing the fruit yourself, grocery stores often sell pre-sliced mango, but it is more expensive and won't stay fresh as long. Nevertheless, if you plan to use it soon after you buy it, it's a great solution.

If you enjoy pomegranate seeds as a snack, then an arugula, orange, and pomegranate salad is likely right up your alley. We would even suggest this dish for folks unfamiliar with pomegranates because throwing them into a salad is a great starting point. As with many other fruits on this list, you can purchase a whole pomegranate and dissect it yourself, or buy it prepared so the gleaming arils are ready to use. 

Pomegranates are bursting with vitamins and nutrients, as reported by Healthline. Specifically, vitamin C outshines all the others. Potassium, folate, and fiber are also present in notable amounts, so when you enjoy these glossy red seeds, you are doing your body a favor.

In addition, the arils are crunchy and offset the soft ingredients in your salad. Citrusy ingredients, meat, or creamy cheeses especially complement this delicious fruit. Next time you make a salad, keep pomegranate seeds in mind. Their fun appearance and zesty taste deserve a spot in your salad lineup.

Grapefruit is one of the most nutritious fruits you can eat. Therefore, it is a superb way to add more substance to your salads. Whether you use red, white, or pink grapefruit pieces is up to you. Per the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, all types of grapefruit provide you with your daily recommended vitamin C intake and simultaneously add color to your dish. For both a vibrant appearance and added health benefits, consider adding grapefruit with colorful pulp to make your salads extra appealing.

If you have never cut a grapefruit, just work with it like an orange. The sections are visible once you peel off the skin, so simply use a paring knife to follow the membrane lines and divvy up the segments. Try making a radicchio, spinach, and grapefruit salad to give this ingredient a go. The grapefruit tastes phenomenal alongside fresh greens, fruits, and veggies.