BHA & BHT Free Basil-Pesto Fruit Harvest Salad
This vibrant fruit salad is a stunning mix of juicy grapes, plump blueberries, sweet strawberries, crisp apple, and tender pear — all brought together by a bright, herbaceous basil-pesto dressing that you genuinely won't see coming. The dressing is built from scratch with fresh basil, extra-virgin olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and a whisper of ground ginger, which means every single ingredient is clean and exactly what it says it is. That matters a lot when you're avoiding synthetic preservatives like BHA and BHT, which sneak into bottled dressings and pre-packaged salad kits far more often than most people realize. Making the dressing yourself takes only minutes, and letting it sit for ten minutes before tossing allows the basil to fully infuse the oil for a flavor that tastes far more complex than the ingredient list suggests. The result is something that works equally well as a light dessert, a brunch centerpiece, or a refreshing side dish. A handful of torn fresh mint scattered over the top right before serving adds one last pop of color and fragrance that makes the whole bowl feel genuinely special.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the basil-pesto dressing
- ¼ cup fresh basil leaves, tightly packed
- 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 small garlic clove, finely minced
- ¼ tsp fine sea salt
- ⅛ tsp ground ginger
For the salad
- 2 cups seedless red grapes, halved
- 1 cup fresh blueberries
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and quartered
- 1 medium apple, cored and thinly sliced
- 1 medium pear, cored and thinly sliced
For serving
- 1 tbsp fresh mint leaves, torn (optional)
Instructions
- 1
In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, fine sea salt, and ground ginger until fully combined and slightly emulsified.
- 2
Stack the basil leaves, roll them tightly lengthwise, and slice into thin ribbons (chiffonade). Add the basil to the dressing and stir to combine. Let the dressing sit for 10 minutes so the basil flavor infuses into the oil.
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