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Fruit Platter for a Large Group

Fruit quantities for a crowd

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…

Fruit quantities for a crowd

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

Fruit quantities for a crowd

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

Fruit quantities for a crowd

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

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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?

Large Group Meals

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?

Dutch Oven Peach Cobbler

This lovely summer dessert combines sweet juicy peaches with a crunchy, buttery, golden brown cobbler. I served this at our Young Men and Young Women Church Camp, but it’s just as perfect for your family’s summer dinner cooked in the oven!

Marvelous Meatball Sandwiches

Want a wonderful ooey-gooey, saucy, savory Freezer Meal Sandwich Recipe? These little meatballs are baked in the oven, heated with a great time-saving spaghetti sauce, and place on a crunchy hoagie roll slathered with garlic butter and melty Provolone cheese! And you have a Fan-‘freakin’-tastic sandwich (to quote Jeff).

Easy Oven Rice for a Crowd

Don’t miss this one! Now you can make perfect rice EVERY TIME in just 30 minutes with this easy and proven recipe to cook rice in the oven. You’ll want to add this to your recipe box for sure.

Butter Pecan French Toast Breakfast Casserole

Looking for an over-the-top delicious breakfast for your family this holiday season? This wonderful overnight Butter Pecan French Toast Casserole won’t fail to delight. Nestled in between the velvety pieces of cream-soaked bread are bits of buttery, suger-y crunchy pecans. Heaven!

Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole for a Crowd

You’ll love this Delicious Easy Make Ahead Breakfast Casserole. They don’t get any quicker or easier than this! The great thing about this dish is that it comes together easily in 20 minutes night before and is simply the best Breakfast Casserole I’ve ever had. It’s the perfect Breakfast Casserole for your Crowd this holiday season. I’ve also included a smaller version which serves 12.

Asian Lettuce Wrap for a Crowd

If you’re looking for a healthy recipe for your family but are tired of salad, these Pork & Ginger Lettuce Wraps are for you. They are really easy and really fast, on the table within 30 minutes from start to finish. But the best part of all is they are REALLY good! Whip up a batch for your family this week, they’ll LOVE them.

Sausage, Egg and Cheese Sliders for a Crowd

You'll love this sweet and salty breakfast. It will have your house smelling so good your family will be waiting at the table, at least mine was! A few simple ingredients and a few minutes in the kitchen give you an extraordinary breakfast big enough to feed a crowd.

Ham and Cheese Sliders

These mini Ham & Cheese Sliders are easy to make and your family will love them! Whip some up this week. They will be DEVOURED faster than you can imagine.

Tropical Salad

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