Berry Fruit Salad with Homemade Strawberry Syrup

Jump To Recipe by Liz Thomson July 1, 2021 This post may contain affiliate links.

This berry fruit salad is drizzled with a homemade strawberry syrup, made from the tops of strawberries so no food goes to waste! This simple side dish is perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert!

I love all kinds of berries and this simple berry fruit salad combines my three favorites: blueberries, raspberries and strawberries. To amplify the flavor of this salad, it’s drizzled with a simple strawberry syrup that’s made from the tops of the strawberries.

The Best Berries for Fruit Salad

For this salad, I used blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries which is a delicious combination of flavors and textures. But you can use all one berry or just two kinds if that’s all you have on hand. You can also make this with blackberries or fresh, pitted cherries for a fun twist!

A bowl of fruit on a table, with Berry and Syrup

How to Pick the Best Berries at the Grocery Store

Since most of us aren’t picking berries on a farm, we’re likely peeking at plastic cartons of berries in the produce section or selecting baskets at the farmer’s market. There aren’t a lot of tricks to picking berries but there are a few general rules that can help you out. Look for berries that are plump with no signs of shriveling. Strawberry tops should be green, not brown and the strawberries themselves should be plump without bruising. Avoid berries that look wrinkled or dried out.

How to Make Strawberry Syrup

The strawberry syrup is made from cooking the strawberry tops with water and sugar to create a flavorful syrup.

To make this syrup, first wash the strawberries well. Cut off the strawberries’ stems, leaving some flesh.

In a saucepan, over medium-high heat, combine the strawberries’ stems with sugar and water. Stir until sugar is dissolved and bring to a boil.

Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until the syrup starts to thick, about 15-20 minutes. Stir occasionally. Strain liquid into a bottle or a bowl and let it cool completely.

Let the syrup cool completely. When you’re ready to serve the salad, drizzle the syrup on top and gently mix.

Other Ways to Use Strawberry Syrup

This syrup makes a great drink mixer! Add a splash to club soda for a fizzy drink or mix it into a cocktail in place of simple syrup. If you enjoy it, be sure to try this lemon lime simple syrup recipe, too!
Try it as a salad dressing! I think it would be delicious on this peach and feta salad.
Use it as a sweetener for a smoothie bowl to add sweetness and strawberry flavor!

Looking for more ways to enjoy fresh fruit? Try my delicious yogurt fruit dip! It’s easy to make and it takes fresh fruit to the next level. Or give my creamy fruit salad a try for a different twist.