Fruta Picada con Chile y Limón (Mexican Fruit Cup)
Chopped mango, watermelon, pineapple and cucumber in a sweet lime dressing with a sprinkle of chilli and salt.
Made with Agua fresca syrup. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time15 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £1.01 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Make your agua fresca syrup (see the base recipe) in advance and chill it.
- 2
Put the watermelon, mango, pineapple and cucumber in a large bowl.
- 3
Mix 100 ml of the ready made agua fresca syrup (see the base recipe) with the lime juice and pour over the fruit.
- 4
Toss gently and divide between four cups or bowls.
- 5
Mix the chilli powder and salt and sprinkle over the top. Serve cold.
Tips
- Cut all the fruit into similar sized chunks so every spoonful has a mix.
- Dress the fruit just before serving or the juices will leak and the cucumber will go soft.
- Look for ready made chilli lime seasoning, sold as Tajín, in some UK supermarkets and online, or make your own with chilli powder, lime zest and salt.
- Jicama and orange segments are good additions.
Storing and freezing
Eat within a few hours. Keep any leftovers covered in the fridge for up to 1 day, but the fruit will soften.
Questions
What fruit is used in a Mexican fruit cup?
Mango, watermelon, pineapple, cucumber, jicama, melon and orange are the usual street food mix. Use whatever is ripe.
Why add chilli and salt to fruit?
It is a classic Mexican snack. The chilli and salt sharpen the fruit and make it taste even sweeter and fresher.
Is it vegan?
Yes. It is just fruit, syrup, lime and seasoning, so it is vegan, gluten free, dairy free, egg free and nut free.
More made with agua fresca syrup
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.