Fruit Platter for a Large Group

When I’m serving a meal to a large group, I almost always include a fruit option of some type.  Several of my favorites are a fabulous tropical fruit salad with a ginger lime dressing for a crowd…

or a large group version of Pioneer Woman’s fruit salad with a heavenly orange vanilla bean dressing.

Or if I’m having a luau for a crowd, I go with these festive fruit kabobs in a pineapple.

By the way, check out this awesome Road to Hana Banana Bread to go with your fruit platter.  It’s really, really good.

People Like Fruit Platters

But sometimes I just want to save time and set out a platter of fruit.

More and more frequently, folks will opt for the salad and fruit on your buffet.  Many (those following a Paleo diet, vegetarians, or people trying to watch their weight) may opt only for the fruit, salad and perhaps meat.  Youth, especially young women, also enjoy fresh fruit.  Me too!

For this reason, I make sure all my large group meals include a fruit option along with a salad option.  And one of the biggest questions I used to have is: how much fruit should I serve?  The answer is: It’s going to depend to some extent on who you’re serving and what else you’re serving with it, but the quantities below have proved to be about right.

What are the best Fruits to serve a Crowd?

Not all fruit is a good choice for a fruit platter.  One of the considerations is how far in advance you’ll be prepping the fruit and how much time you have to prepare it.   I’ve found the following fruits can be prepped and on your platter in short order.  They will also hold very well for up to 1 day.  I almost always try to have them ready, plated, covered with plastic wrap and refrigerated at least 4 – 8 hours in advance of the meal.

Oranges – keep peel on, quarter (or use mandarine orange slices from a jar)

Strawberries – wash and keep whole

Grapes – cut into smaller clusters.

Watermelon – slice and quarter slices

Blueberries – wash

Raspberries – gently wash

What are the best whole fruits to serve a Crowd?

Cutie Oranges (whole, small mandarine oranges) – these are a great choice at lunch or breakfast for youth!

Whole bananas

Whole apples

It’s extra nice to present these in a platter or tub with ice in the bottom to keep them cold!

What fruits should I avoid serving to a crowd?

Apples slices – I can go either way on these.   Coring them takes time and they eventually turn brown, but if you do want to include them – here’s the secret:  Cut and core them, then soak them in 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt per cup of water for 10 minutes.  After 10 minutes (no longer) drain and store the apple slices up to 2 hours.   A few minutes before serving simply rinse off the slices with plain water before serving.  Even after rinsing, they will still retain their white color.

Banana slices – I consider these a poor choice for a fruit platter as they turn soft and brown rather quickly.

How much fruit do I need to serve a Crowd?

FRUIT	SIZE	APPROXIMATE YIELD	APPROXIMATE SERVINGS
Cantaloupe	3 lb	25 (1″) chunks or balls	9
Honeydew	6 lb	36 chunks	9
Grapes (seedless)	1 lb	10 clusters	10
Pineapple	3-4 lb	40 chunks	10
Strawberries (large)	1 lb	15 – 18 berries	5 – 6
Watermelon	4 lb	32 quarters

FRUIT QUANTITIES NEEDED TO SERVE:	10	25	100
Cantaloupe – 5 to 6 (1″ chunks)	1	2	10
Honeydew – 5 to 6 (1″ chunks)	2	5	10
Grapes	1 pound	2 1/2 pounds	10 pounds
Pineapple – 5 to 6 (1″ chunks)	1	1	3
Strawberries (large) – 3 berries, halved	1 pound	3 pounds	10 pounds
Watermelon (large) – 1/4 slice serving (see picture below)	1	1	3

NOTE: There are 15 strawberries on average per 1 pound of strawberries

How much will 1 large Watermelon serve?

One large or medium watermelon will serve 32 people.   Here’s how:

Cut into 8 slices.

Cut each slice into 4 quarters to serve 32.

Cover cut watermelon with plastic film and store for up to 3 days in fridge.

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Hungry for more Large Group Recipes?