When warm weather is on the horizon, we’re all about embracing fresh and light recipes that won’t weigh us down or make us feel too stuffed. That’s why we’re thrilled to share our recipe for Fruit Salad Lettuce Cups!
This completely gluten-free recipe is not only incredibly delicious but also versatile enough to be made vegan and dairy-free with just a few simple substitutions. It’s all about keeping things light, healthy, and oh-so-delicious!
This simple dish features crisp lettuce cups filled to the brim with a colorful medley of fresh fruits, bursting with sweetness and flavor. From juicy berries to tropical delights, every bite is a refreshing taste of springtime goodness.
But here’s the best part: these Fruit Salad Lettuce Cups are as easy to make as they are delicious. With just a few simple steps, you’ll have a nutritious and satisfying snack or appetizer that’s perfect for any occasion.
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Are Fruit Salad Lettuce Cups healthy
Filled with delicious fruits and wrapped in lettuce, these fruit cups are the epitome of a healthy snack that’s also delicious! Strawberries, mangos, and apples each have their own respective health benefits, as do cucumbers, and the fact that they’re wrapped in lettuce means there’s no extra carbs or fat on them!
In addition, the garnish is healthy, too! Walnuts are filled with heart-healthy nutrients and antioxidants, and goat cheese is packed with vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats — so all together, this is a nutrient-rich (but so delicious) snack!
How to make Fruit Salad Cups vegan
Making this recipe vegan is actually super simple. You just need to skip the goat cheese garnish, and the honey drizzled into the mixture. If you’d still like the sweetness that the honey brings to the table, you can substitute it for raw sugar or whatever vegan-friendly sweetener you prefer!
Why we love Fruit Salad Lettuce Cups
Obviously, we think these are delicious, and that’s why we wanted to share the recipe with you! We are obsessed with how light this recipe is. I mean, how could it be anything but, when it’s made with lettuce and fruits?
But we also think it tastes amazing. The fruits really complement each other and the cucumber adds a fun crunch to the texture. To make your life easier, try this Full Star vegetable/fruit chopper — we use it to get all the fruit the same size!
How to make Fruit Salad Lettuce Cups
- Dice strawberries.
- Peel and dice cucumbers and apples.
- Slice mango in thirds, then cut each slice on a crosshatch.
- In a large mixing bowl squeeze in orange and lemon.
- Drizzle in the honey and whisk until combined.
- Add diced fruits and cucumbers, mixing thoroughly.
- Fill the lettuce cups with the fruit salad.
- Garnish with goat cheese and walnuts/pecans, and enjoy!
Common Questions about Fruit Salad Lettuce Cups
Butter lettuce (also called Boston or Bibb lettuce) is the superstar choice for fruit salad cups because its leaves are naturally cup-shaped, tender, and have a mild flavor that won’t compete with the fruit. Little gem lettuce or endive also work beautifully if you want smaller, finger-food-sized cups, while romaine heart leaves offer more structure if you’re filling them with juicier fruits and dressings!
The key is preparing the components separately and assembling just before serving! Pat your washed fruit dry with paper towels, dress the fruit mixture in a separate bowl (not in the lettuce cups), and use a slotted spoon for serving to leave excess juice behind. Another pro tip is to add a layer of something like thinly sliced cucumber or jicama at the bottom of each lettuce cup to create a barrier between the juicy fruit and the lettuce.
You can definitely prep components ahead of time, but wait to assemble them until you’re ready to serve them. Wash and dry your lettuce leaves, store them between paper towels in a container in the fridge (they’ll stay crisp for days!), and prepare your fruit mixture separately. When it’s party time, just set up a DIY station where guests can build their own cups, or quickly assemble them right before everyone arrives!
Absolutely! Fruit salad lettuce cups make a gorgeous light dessert, especially when you add a drizzle of chocolate sauce, a dollop of whipped coconut cream, or a sprinkle of cinnamon-sugar! They’re perfect for dinner parties when you want something sweet but not heavy, and they look so elegant on a dessert table!
Fruit Salad Lettuce Cups
Ingredients
- 16 ounces strawberries
- 1 medium English cucumber
- 1 large green apple or your favorite apple.
- 1 medium mango
- juice of 1/2 an orange
- juice of 1/2 a lemon
- 2 Tablespoons honey
- lettuce cups goat cheese, and toasted walnuts or pecans for garnish
Instructions
- Dice strawberries.16 ounces strawberries
- Peel and dice cucumbers and apples.1 medium English cucumber, 1 large green apple or your favorite apple.
- Slice mango in thirds, then cut each slice on a crosshatch.1 medium mango
- In a large mixing bowl squeeze in orange and lemon.juice of 1/2 an orange, juice of 1/2 a lemon
- Drizzle in the honey and whisk until combined.2 Tablespoons honey
- Add diced fruits and cucumbers, mixing thoroughly.
- Fill the lettuce cups with the fruit salad.
- Garnish with goat cheese and walnuts/pecans, and enjoy!lettuce cups
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Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
