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You’ll never have to suffer through bad fruit salad again with this bright and beautiful Strawberry Fruit Salad With Chamomile Syrup. This fresh brunch side dish is loaded with sweet berries, creamy yogurt, and a floral chamomile syrup.
Fresh summer fruit salad
Have you ever ordered fruit salad at a restaurant and not regretted your choice immediately? I’ve been there! More often than not you’ll end up with a small cup of too much melon, pineapple, one grape, and if you’re lucky, a strawberry or two.
It’s so much more satisfying to make your own fruit salad! Layer on as much fruit as you want, top it with jam and syrup, and serve with yogurt. Instantly, you’ve gone from disappointment to excitement!
I love this strawberry fruit salad with chamomile syrup because it’s a bright and beautiful dish, and strays far away from your average fruit cup. Fresh strawberries with preserves are mixed together and served on top of creamy yogurt. Finish it off with a hit of the chamomile syrup and you’ll have the most amazing side dish for brunch!
This is the perfect dish to serve your friends for brunch. It’s light and full of flavor. Plus, the garnish of fresh chamomile flowers helps the fruit salad stand out and look oh so cute!
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Surprisingly simple ingredients
Let’s talk ingredients! You don’t need much to whip up a batch of this fruit salad with syrup. Make sure to support your local farmer’s market and pick up some fresh berries.
The berries
Fresh strawberries are like gold come summertime! Your local farmer’s market is likely to be overflowing with delicious strawberries once June rolls around. The best berries have a vibrant red color with bright green tops.
If you can’t resist the fresh blueberries, blackberries, or raspberries at the market, add them to the salad as well! A medley of summer berries will look so colorful and taste amazing. I do not recommend using frozen berries, as they have an awkward texture and make the dish watery.
Strawberry preserves
Both preserves or jam will work in this recipe - use whatever you have laying around. With a little lemon and salt, the preserves become bright and zesty, perfect for an exciting fruit salad!
Don’t think this has to be a strawberry-theme party either. Feel free to use blueberries, blackberries, or raspberries in the salad or jam if that’s all you have.
The yogurt
The beauty of this summer fruit salad is that it’s served with creamy yogurt. I recommend using Greek yogurt because it’s super thick and has a nice balance between the thin chamomile syrup. Otherwise, feel free to use any kind you already have at home!
Chamomile syrup
Chamomile syrup is made by infusing simple syrup with dried, edible chamomile flowers. It’s an elegant and versatile ingredient that can be used not only in a fruit salad but also on top of ice cream or even in cocktails like a Paloma. Bottle and store the syrup for up to 1 week in the fridge.
The dried flowers can be found at specialty grocery stores or purchased online. Head to your local farmer’s market and you may just find some fresh chamomile flowers, which are great for a garnish! You could even exercise your green thumb and grow them yourself.
Can I use chamomile tea to make the syrup?
Yes, you can! Chamomile tea bags will make a great substitute if you’re unable to find fresh flowers. Be aware that the flavor is stronger and not as delicate when using tea bags, so use less than the recommended amount if you want a more mild flavor.
How to make chamomile syrup
The chamomile syrup is very easy to make with either dried flowers or tea bags. Make sure to check out the YouTube video for this recipe if you need a little help.
Step 1: Combine the sugar and water in a small pot. Cook over high heat, stirring often until the sugar has dissolved (about 4 minutes). Remove the simple syrup from the heat. Add in the dried chamomile flowers or tea bags. Allow it to steep for 6 to 8 minutes. Once the mixture has steeped, remove the tea bags, or use a fine-mesh strainer to drain the flowers from the chamomile syrup. Allow the syrup to cool completely before using.
How to make this easy fruit salad
This salad will be dressed up and ready for brunch in only a few easy steps:
Step 2: In a small bowl, mix the jam or preserves with lemon zest, juice, and salt.
Step 3: In a medium bowl, toss the chopped berries with chamomile syrup.
Step 4: Spread your yogurt of choice on a platter if serving a group.
Step 5: Use a spoon to drizzle the jam over the yogurt.
Step 6: Place the berries on top of the jam covered yogurt. Garnish with fresh chamomile flowers.
Tips for the best fruit salad
Make the best fruit salad ever by following these helpful tips:
Strain the syrup well
Strain the flowers from the syrup 2 or even 3 times if you want it to be as “clean” as possible. There could be a bit of flower residue if you only strain it once. Use a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth for the best results.
Using other fruit
Berries are my #1 choice in this recipe because they pair perfectly with the chamomile syrup. The addition of sliced grapes, peaches, or kiwi will go very well with the syrup and berry mixture as well. Try to stay away from tart and citrusy options, like honeydew, watermelon, cantaloupe, or oranges.
Making it ahead of time
Save yourself some time and make the jam and syrup 2 or 3 days ahead of time. Slice the strawberries and store them in an airtight container in the fridge. They should stay fresh for up to 2 days.
This salad is best served immediately after putting all of the pieces together.
Serve with brunch
This fruit salad recipe was invented with the idea of a bright and colorful brunch in mind. Serve it to all of your friends alongside a big batch of bloody marys and a decadent bacon spinach quiche.
Recipe variations
Looking for something a little different? Get inventive and use different edible flower concoctions to pair with a variety of fruits and berries. Here are 2 great ideas to try:
- Hibiscus syrup with fresh mint leaves and blueberries
- Lavender syrup with lemon and raspberries
Now, make it!
Alright friend, it's time for you to make this delectable brunch side. When you do, make sure to leave a comment below to let me know how much you and your friends enjoyed it!
Recipe
Strawberry Chamomile Fruit Salad with Yogurt
Ingredients
Fruit Salad
- 1 pound strawberries, chopped about 1 ½ cups
- ⅓ cup strawberry preserves
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ¼ cup chamomile syrup recipe below
- fresh chamomile flowers to garnish
Chamomile Syrup
- 1 cup sugar
- ½ cup water
- ½ cup dried chamomile flowers
Instructions
Fruit Salad
- Toss berries with chamomile syrup in a large bowl.
- Mix jam with lemon zest, juice and salt.
- Spread yogurt on a large platter.
- Drizzle yogurt with the perserve mixture and top with strawberries. Garish with fresh chamomile flowers and serve!
Chamomile Syrup
- Combine sugar and water in a small saucepan.
- Cook over high heat, stirring often, until sugar has dissolved, about 5 minutes.
- Remove from heat and add dried chamomile flowers. Steep for 8 minutes.
- Strain syrup through a fine mesh sive and cool compltely befor using.
Notes
- Replace the dried chamomile flowers with 10 bags of chamomile tea.
- Steep the tea bags for 6 minutes.
- Strain and allow to cool completely
- Note: the flavor will be slightly different from the version with dried loose chamomile flowers, but it totally works!
Watch the Video!
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