Turkey Free Apple-Ginger Fruit Salad Cups
These little apple cups are as pretty as they are delicious, making them a showstopper for brunches, holiday spreads, or any gathering where you want something fresh and unexpected on the table. Hollowed-out apple halves hold a vibrant mix of diced apple, pear, blueberries, and strawberries, all tossed in a bright dressing of lime juice, raw honey, freshly grated ginger, and a hint of Ceylon cinnamon. That ten-minute rest before serving is a small but important step — it lets the fruit soak up the dressing and develop a lightly spiced, citrusy depth that tastes like way more effort than it actually is. The lime juice brushed onto the apple cups does double duty, keeping everything looking gorgeous while adding a subtle tang to each bite. For anyone navigating a table full of heavy, protein-centered dishes, this is the kind of recipe that holds its own without relying on any meat whatsoever — it's naturally, effortlessly free of all that. Fresh mint scattered over the top right before serving adds a cool, herbal finish that ties the whole thing together beautifully.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the apple cups
- 4 medium apples (such as honeycrisp or fuji), for the cups
- 1 tbsp fresh lime juice (from about 1 lime), for brushing cups
For the fruit salad
- 2 medium apples (such as granny smith or pink lady), diced into ½-inch pieces
- 1 medium ripe pear, diced into ½-inch pieces
- 1 cup fresh blueberries
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and quartered
For the dressing
- 2 tbsp fresh lime juice (from about 2 limes)
- 1 tbsp raw honey
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, finely grated
- ¼ tsp ground ceylon cinnamon
- 1 tsp lime zest
For serving
- 2 tbsp fresh mint leaves, thinly sliced (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Halve 4 apples crosswise (through the equator, not stem to base) to create 8 cup-shaped halves. Use a melon baller or small spoon to scoop out the core and enough flesh to form a shallow bowl, leaving a wall about 1/2 inch thick. Brush the cut surfaces and interior of each cup with 1 tbsp lime juice to prevent browning, then set aside on a serving platter.
- 2
In a small bowl, whisk together the 2 tbsp lime juice, honey, grated ginger, ground Ceylon cinnamon, and lime zest until the honey is fully dissolved and the dressing is smooth.
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