I first made this winter fruit salad on a cold December morning when I wanted something bright and fresh for a holiday brunch. The mix of mandarin oranges, kiwi, juicy blueberries, crisp apple and pear, and jewel-like pomegranate arils feels celebratory but is fuss-free. A light vanilla pudding–orange glaze ties everything together so the fruit feels dressed-up without being cloying.

Why you’ll love this dish

This salad is the kind of recipe you reach for when you want a colorful, healthy side that’s both quick and crowd-pleasing. It’s great for holiday buffets, potlucks, school lunches, or anytime you want a vitamin-packed dish that looks like you spent more time on it than you did. The pudding mix adds a silky glaze that prevents the fruit from oxidizing too quickly while giving a gentle vanilla note that kids love.

“Bright, addictive, and exactly the kind of simple crowd-pleaser I bring to every winter gathering.” — an enthusiastic brunch guest

A bonus: if you liked the flavor pairing in this salad, you might enjoy a spiced take on citrus-fruit combos like this winter fruit salad with cinnamon-vanilla dressing (https://mixmirth.com/winter-fruit-salad-with-cinnamon-vanilla-dressing/).

Step-by-step overview

Rinse and prep all fruit: peel mandarins (or drain cans), slice kiwis, rinse blueberries, dice apple and pear, and remove pomegranate arils.
Whisk pudding mix with orange juice to make a light glaze.
Toss the fruit gently with most of the glaze so everything is lightly coated.
Finish with reserved pomegranate arils on top and serve chilled.

This quick sequence helps you assemble the salad in about 15–20 minutes and keeps the fruit from getting soggy.

What you’ll need

2 cups mandarin oranges (2 — 15 oz. cans drained, or 4–5 fresh mandarin oranges, peeled and segmented)
2 cups kiwi, peeled and sliced (about 6–8 kiwis)
2 cups jumbo blueberries (about a 9.8 oz package)
1 medium apple, diced (use a crisp variety like Honeycrisp or Fuji)
1 medium pear, diced (Bosc or Anjou work well)
1/2 cup pomegranate arils (reserve 1/4 cup for topping)
3 tbsp instant vanilla pudding mix
1/3 cup orange juice

Notes and substitutions:

Use fresh mandarins when in season for best texture; canned is fine year-round if drained well.
For a dairy-free option, swap the instant vanilla pudding with a dairy-free vanilla instant pudding or 3 tbsp of cornstarch mixed with a tablespoon of sugar and whisked into 1/3 cup orange juice over low heat until thickened (cool before using).
If you want more tang, swap half the orange juice for pineapple juice.

Step-by-step instructions

Rinse blueberries and pat dry. Place them in a medium mixing bowl.
If using fresh mandarins: peel and segment. To remove pith easily, soak segments in warm water for 5 minutes, then use a paring knife or your fingers to remove remaining pith. If using canned, drain thoroughly. Add mandarins to the bowl.
Peel kiwis and cut into slices. Cut each slice into quarters and add to the bowl. Drain any excess kiwi juice before adding.
Core and dice the apple and pear into bite-size pieces. Toss them with a teaspoon of lemon juice if you’re worried about browning, then add to the bowl.
Remove pomegranate arils from the fruit and set aside 1/4 cup for garnish. Add the rest to the bowl.
In a small bowl, whisk together the instant vanilla pudding mix and 1/3 cup orange juice until smooth and slightly thickened.
Pour most of the glaze over the fruit and gently mix until all pieces are lightly coated. Use a spatula or large spoon and fold to keep fruit from breaking.
Transfer to a serving bowl and sprinkle the reserved pomegranate arils on top. Chill briefly or serve immediately.

Keep the stirring gentle so delicate berries don’t burst and the fruit keeps a fresh texture.

Best ways to enjoy it

This salad shines as:

A festive side at holiday dinners or a bright contribution to potlucks.
A topping for plain Greek yogurt or cottage cheese for breakfast.
A colorful bed for scoops of vanilla ice cream or frozen yogurt as a lighter dessert.

For a brunch spread, pair with a lemon loaf or savory quiches; if you want a richer fruit-and-dessert combo, serve next to a berry cheesecake fruit salad to balance textures (https://mixmirth.com/berry-cheesecake-fruit-salad/).

Keeping leftovers fresh

Refrigeration: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days. The glaze slows browning, but apples and pears will still soften over time.
Avoid freezing: Freezing will ruin the texture of the fruit (blueberries and kiwi become mushy).
Safe handling tip: Keep the salad chilled at or below 40°F (4°C). Discard any portion left out at room temperature for more than 2 hours (1 hour if the room is above 90°F/32°C).

Pro chef tips

Chill bowls and utensils before assembling. Cold tools help the salad stay crisp longer.
Don’t over-glaze. A thin coating binds juices and adds flavor without making the fruit syrupy.
For the apple and pear, choose firm varieties so they hold shape when mixed. Toss them last if you’re assembling early.
If you need to prep ahead, cut apples/pears and store separately with a squeeze of lemon. Add berries and glaze only 10–15 minutes before serving.

Creative twists

Citrus-forward: Add segments of grapefruit (white or pink) or blood orange for extra tang.
Nutty crunch: Sprinkle chopped toasted walnuts or slivered almonds on top for texture.
Herb lift: Toss in a tablespoon of chopped mint or basil for a fresh herbal note.
Boozy version: Macerate the fruit briefly with a tablespoon of Grand Marnier or orange liqueur for adult gatherings.
Vegan/gluten-free: Use a certified gluten-free instant pudding or a cornstarch-thickened orange syrup in place of instant pudding to keep it vegan.

Your questions answered

Q: How long does the salad keep before it gets soggy?
A: With the glaze, expect the salad to stay nicely textured for about 24–48 hours refrigerated. After that, apples and pears will soften and berries may release more juice.

Q: Can I make this ahead for a party?
A: Yes. Prep and dice the firmer fruit and store separately. Mix everything and add glaze 30–60 minutes before serving to prevent juices from making the salad too wet.

Q: Is instant pudding safe to use without milk?
A: Instant pudding mix will thicken with orange juice in this recipe because it contains modified starches and sugar. It’s safe to use straight with juice—no milk required—but texture will be different than milk-thickened pudding. For a dairy-free alternative, use a dairy-free pudding mix or a cornstarch slurry thickened on the stove and cooled.

Q: Can I swap any fruit?
A: Certainly. Pears or apples can be swapped for chopped mango or firm stone fruit when in season. Just aim for a balance of sweet, tart, and textural variety.

Conclusion

This winter fruit salad is an effortless way to bring color and lightness to any table—holiday or everyday. For inspiration from similar seasonal fruit salads, see this bright "Easy Winter Fresh Fruit Salad – Mel’s Kitchen Cafe" and another tasty take at "Winter Fruit Salad – Dinner at the Zoo".