This red white and blue fruit salad takes that same summer watermelon nostalgia and gives it a festive makeover that's perfect for the Fourth of July, Memorial Day, Labor Day, and every backyard cookout in between. Strawberries, blueberries, and watermelon stars - that's it. No pudding mix, no Cool Whip, no added sugar needed. When summer fruit is at its peak, it doesn't need any help.
Growing up, summer meant watermelon wedges, sticky fingers, and seed-spitting contests with the neighborhood kids. These days I'm a little more civilized... but not by much.
And those watermelon stars? They're what make this 4th of July fruit salad stand out on the picnic table. Trust me, people will notice.
Pick This Recipe If...
- You want a recipe that lets fresh summer fruit do the heavy lifting
- You need an easy dish to bring to a cookout or backyard party
- You want something festive that doesn't require turning on the oven
- You're feeding a crowd and need something that goes together fast
- You're looking for a summer side that kids and adults both love
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Only 3 ingredients. Strawberries, blueberries, and watermelon. Simple as it gets.
- No added sugar needed. Summer fruit is sweet on its own so let it shine and freedom ring!
- It's a showstopper. Those watermelon stars make it look like you tried way harder than you did.
- Ready in about 20 minutes. Most of that is just cutting the watermelon.
- Travels well. Pack it up for the picnic table, the potluck, or the neighbor's cookout.
- Works for any summer holiday. Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day - this one earns a blue ribbon every time.
If you love watermelon be sure to try my watermelon feta salad.
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Ingredient Notes
- Strawberries — Slice them into halves or quarters depending on size. You want them bite-sized so they're easy to scoop with a spoon.
- Blueberries — No prep needed. Just rinse and toss them in.
- Watermelon — Buy a seedless watermelon if you can. You'll cut it into ¾-inch thick slices, then use a small star cookie cutter to punch out the stars. The tip that makes this go faster: slice the watermelon lengthwise. You get longer, wider slices, which means more stars per cut and less waste. It adds up quickly.
- Lime juice — Just a tablespoon of fresh lime juice to finish. It's optional, but it brightens everything up. You can skip it if your fruit is already sweet and juicy, which it probably will be in the middle of summer.
See recipe card for quantities.
Equipment Needed
- Small star-shaped cookie cutter
- Sharp knife and cutting board
- Large serving bowl
farm girl shortcut
Take It Easy
Not feeling the cookie cutter situation? No judgment. Just cut the watermelon into cubes instead of stars. It tastes exactly the same. The stars are fun, but they're not required, especially on a busy holiday weekend when you have seventeen other things going on.
How to Make It
Step 1: Prep the fruit. Slice the strawberries and set them aside. Rinse the blueberries.
Step 2: Cut the watermelon into stars. Slice the watermelon lengthwise into ¾-inch thick slabs. Lay each slab flat and press a small star cookie cutter straight down through the flesh. Pop the stars out and repeat until you have 4 cups worth.
And hey - I realize you can't really measure watermelon stars. So just let your heart guide you on the melon quantity.
Step 3: Combine. Add the strawberries, blueberries, and watermelon stars to a large serving bowl. Gently toss to combine.
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Step 4: Finish and serve. Squeeze fresh lime juice over the top if using, or set out lime wedges on the side so people can add their own. Serve immediately or refrigerate until you're ready to bring it out.
Farm Girl Notes
- Make it ahead. You can cut the watermelon stars and slice the strawberries a few hours in advance. Store them separately in the fridge and combine right before serving so nothing gets watery.
- Don't dress it too early. If you add the lime juice ahead of time, it can draw out liquid from the fruit. Stick to adding it right before serving.
- Presentation tip. Pile a few extra watermelon stars on top of the bowl before you bring it out. It makes the whole thing look polished with almost zero extra effort.
Variations
I'll be honest here - the white bowl is my red, white and blue. You could also add mini marshmallows if you're worried about someone calling you out. 😉
- Swap the blueberries. Red grapes or blackberries also work well and keep the color contrast.
- Swap the strawberries. Raspberries or pitted cherries are a great substitute if strawberries aren't looking great at your store.
- Add fresh mint. A few torn mint leaves tossed in at the end add a fresh, summery note that pairs really nicely with the lime. Watermelon and mint are a lovely pairing as you'll see in my watermelon mint feta salad, too!
- Skip the lime entirely. If your fruit is ripe and sweet, it doesn't need anything at all. Serve it as-is and call it done.
If you're planning your Fourth of July menu, my Aldi Summer Meal Plan has easy mains and sides that pair perfectly with this fruit salad.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The watermelon stars will release some liquid as they sit, so give everything a gentle stir before serving again. This salad is always freshest the day it's made.
Make Ahead
You can prep the components a few hours in advance and refrigerate them separately — watermelon stars in one container, sliced strawberries in another. Combine and add lime juice right before serving. I wouldn't recommend assembling the full salad more than a couple of hours ahead if you want it looking its best on the table.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can cut the fruit the night before and store it separately, but I'd hold off on combining everything until the day of. Once assembled, the fruit releases liquid and the salad can get a little watery by the next morning.
A small star cutter (around 2 inches) works well. Too big and you won't get as many stars out of each slice. Too small and it gets tedious fast.
Not at all. Watermelon cubes work just as well and are a lot faster. The stars are purely for the festive look, not the flavor.
You can, though it'll be harder to get clean star shapes from chunks that aren't sliced flat. If that's what you have, just cube it up instead.
Nope. The lime juice is optional and pretty light. Summer fruit at its peak is sweet enough on its own — you don't need syrup, sugar, or anything else.
This recipe makes about 10–12 servings, which makes it great for cookouts and potlucks.
More Summer Desserts
Keep the summer celebration going with one of these easy desserts. They're simple, crowd-pleasing, and perfect for Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, or Labor Day gatherings.
Summer Sides
Need a few more dishes for the picnic table? These easy summer sides pair perfectly with this patriotic fruit salad and are always favorites at backyard cookouts.
Complete the Menu
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Fourth of July fruit salad:
Recipe
Red White and Blue Fruit Salad (Easy 4th of July Fruit Salad)
Ingredients
Method
- Wash, hull and slice 4 cups strawberries.
- Cut watermelon into ¾-inch slices. I find it's easiest to cut it lengthwise to get more stars cut out.Use a small star cookie cutter to cut watermelon stars.
- Combine strawberries, blueberries, and watermelon stars in a serving bowl.
- Squeeze lime juice over the top (optional) or serve with limes for squeezing.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate until serving.
Ginny Hatfield says
I am going to make this for our 4th of July meals