Easy to make tropical Mexican fruit salad filled with all your favorite fruit, cucumber and jícama. It's topped with a squeeze of lime and a sprinkle of spicy Tajin.
Next time try the Cheesy Pineapple Casserole Recipe. It's amazing, and will be the first thing gone on the buffet!
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Why you'll love this recipe
It's filled with fresh, delicious summer fruits like sweet cantaloupe, watermelon and pineapple. Cucumber and jicama give it great crunch and it's topped with a squeeze of fresh lime juice and sprinkle of ancho chili powder.
This is a great side salad or snack - perfect for the summer months, this salad is bright fresh and delicious!
Ingredients
For the exact measurements for the Mexican fruit bowl, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- watermelon cantaloupe, pineapple and mangos
- cucumbers, jícama and limes - no limes? Use a splash of orange juice or lemon juice.
- Tajin or Tajin Chamoy Sauce (links below) - if you aren't able to find it, just substitute with spicy chile powder and salt.
You can really use any type of fruit, as long as it's fresh fruit! Use your favorite and enjoy this sweet fruit salad!
Instructions
This is an overview of the instructions. For the complete directions just scroll down to the bottom!
- Peel and chop the fruits
- Peel the cucumber and jícama. Dice into chunks or long spears.
- Place the salad in a large mixing bowl.
- Sprinkle them liberally with Tajin or chili powder.
- Top with a squeeze of lime juice.
Place in a big serving bowl and enjoy!
🔪 Equipment
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- The equipment you'll need for this recipe is pretty simple! A sharp knife to peel and slice.
FAQ's
The spice on fruit in Mexico is Tajin, which is a mixture of chili powder, salt dehydrated lime juice.
Tajin is a classic chili lime seasoning. Used as a traditional topping for Mexican-inspired Fruit Salad, it's a great spice mix. Depending on where you live, it's available in the Mexican food section at the grocery store.
Tajin has a unique flavor. Not terribly spicy, but warm and flavorful. It's great on watermelon, mango, cantaloupe, really any sweet fruit! It's also delicious on vegetables like avocados, roasted corn and jicama. It's tasty on popcorn or potato chips too!
I've tried some delicious spice blends, but what we do and enjoy is simply chili powder and a squeeze of lime.
Deb's tips
- This is a great side for Cinco de Mayo or your next pool party! It you're going to a bbq, this is a great salad to share because it can sit out for hours and not spoil.
- Always bright and fresh you can find everything at your local grocery store.
Variations
Use your favorite fresh fruit! I've made this with just watermelon, cantaloupe and mangos, but always adding cucumbers and jicama. I know it may sound a little different, but it's a great combination and it's delicious!
Papaya, strawberries, honeydew melon and blueberries are also delicious. Nothing is off-limits! This salad is so fresh and tasty, it's a great side salad or snack!
If you can't find tajin, substitute with a good pinch of spicy chile powder and sea salt.
The hint of spice balances the sweetness of the fruit! It's the best combination. Squeeze a couple of fresh limes right over the top and sprinkle with a pinch of salt.
Storage
Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container. Enjoy within 2-3 days tops!
Related Recipes
- Sliced Orange Salad with Pistachios - topped with an easy to make honey glaze this lovely salad is filled with crunch and bright fresh citrus!
- If you have some good tomatoes enjoy I think this is the best heirloom tomato salad - mixed with fresh basil and cucumber, it's so good.
- No watermelon? No problem! Make this yummy apple pecan salad, it is scrumptious!
- If it's winter time when beets are in season, this beet salad with pistachios is full of delicious crunch!
- Looking for more great recipe ideas for your favorite salads? Check out the salad recipe category.
Looking for more great Mexican Recipes - click here for Mexican Party Food Ideas, perfect for Cinco de Mayo!
Serve with
This is such a lovely salad and a great side dish! Serve with hearty bowl of Posole - so delicious! Or Frito Pie Casserole, wouldn't that be amazing?
It would also be fabulous if you're having a barbecue, so if you're making BBQ Ribs, Tri Tip Recipe or grilling Turkey Burgers - this is perfect with those recipes!
Mexican Fruit Salad with Tajin
Ingredients
- ½ watermelon seedless, peeled and chopped
- 1 cantaloupe peeled and chopped
- 2-3 mangos peeled and chopped
- 2 cups pineapple fresh, cut into chunks
- 1-2 cucumbers peeled (if desired) and chopped
- 1 jícama peeled and chopped
- 2 teaspoons Tajin for sprinkling
- 2 limes depending how juicy, you may want an additional lime
Instructions
- Peel and chop all fruit into large chunks.
- Peel the jicama and dice, cut the cucumbers into chunks.
- Add the fruit and vegetables to a large bowl.
- Squeeze 2-3 limes over top and sprinkle liberally with Tajin
Notes
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Nutrition
📙 Recipe backstory
My BFF Jessica lives in Sacramento, my old stomping grounds. She's my running buddy and together we've
One day we were on a quest for something (heaven knows what?) - Jessica was driving like a crazy gal (as always!) and all of the sudden she cuts across three lanes and swerves into the Walmart parking lot and parks beside a pushcart with a large rainbow umbrella.
Time for lunch she announces! Ok...I'm looking around thinking... Walmart... sure, why not! Well, there's are pushcart with piles of fruit and street vendors with a very large machete was peeling pineapple, watermelon, cantaloupe, mangos, cucumber and jicama.
When she was done prepping the fruit and vegetables, they were piled into a large clear plastic cups. Then it was sprinkled with chili powder and drizzled with half a lime.
It was the perfect lunch! From now on, I brake for rainbow umbrellas!
Sara says
This is great and I look forward to making it.
CORRECTION
IM sure you meant to say add jícama (a crunchy root type veggie) NOT JIMICA used for making Mexican beverages
Bowl Me Over says
You know auto-correct changed it. Thank you, I thought I had fixed that error. Many thanks Sara!
Amy @ Accidental Happy Baker says
Oh I love your story telling behind this salad. Sounds like a fun day and really makes me want to try this. There's nothing like this where I live either!
Kristen says
I am totally want to try this now. I can see how it would be so refreshing and delicious.
Marye says
The chili powder adds an awesome pop of flavor! I am going to try this!
Bowl Me Over says
I hope you do Marye - we just love it!
cristina says
I'm going to have to try this with the chili powder. I would have never of thought to try it like this. I'm on the lookout for rainbow umbrellas in San Diego, just in case. 😉 Luv your helpers, Brodi and Max!
Bowl Me Over says
Brodi & Max say hi Christina! 😀 Good luck finding the umbrellas, it's such a treat!!
Kristina says
chili powder on fruit is SO GOOD. reminds me of spending summers in Hawaii, we sprinkled chili powder on papaya.
Bowl Me Over says
So true, unexpected but a GREAT combination!
Joanne/WineLady Cooks says
Wow, the chili powder sounds like the perfect kick for this delicious salad.
Bowl Me Over says
Thanks Joanne!
Michelle Turner says
Made this salad yesterday for company lunch. Everyone LOVED this...even non -chile lovers. Great treat for a hot day. It's one of new favorites.
Bowl Me Over says
Perfect! It's the best of both worlds, a little Cali sunshine & some New Mexico spice! 😀