15+ Best Red Fruits List (Plus Health Benefits)

Some of the best red fruits include raspberries, strawberries, cranberries, cherries, and apples.

According to PubMed, red fruit health benefits include:

• aiding in weight loss,
• improving heart health and preventing heart disease,
• and reducing the risk of chronic disease.

So, it makes sense to try and eat a variety of red fruits every day to enjoy both their flavor and health benefits.

A red apple, or red delicious apple, is a type of apple that has a deep red color. The skin of a red apple is thin and smooth, and the flesh is white or cream-colored. It has a sweet but mild flavor.

Most Red Delicious apples are grown in China, Europe, The United States, and Turkey. Red apples are a good source of fiber, calcium, and antioxidants.

I love to use red apples in recipes like Instant Pot Baked Apples, Air Fryer Baked Apples, or Crockpot Applesauce.

A blood orange is orange on the outside like a regular orange but has a deep red flesh on the inside (hence, the name, “blood orange”). It is sweet and citrusy, just like a typical orange. They are so pretty and the good news is that they taste amazing too.

Blood oranges or primarily grown in Brazil, Italy, Spain, Malta and California. This red fruit is high in vitamin C, vitamin A, and folic acid.

Blood oranges can be eaten like a regular orange, but you could also use them to make my Orange Homemade Jello or my Carrot Orange Juice.

You may also like my article about Spanish Oranges.

A cherry is a small round fruit that is deep red in color. It is very sweet and has a soft flesh. The pit, or stone, in the center of the cherry must be removed before eating.

Cherries are native to Western Asia but are now primarily grown in Turkey and The United States. They are a good source of vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin K, potassium, magnesium, and calcium.

Red cherries are a favorite fruit at my house! I love to eat them fresh in season, or buy frozen sweet cherries to use in this Chocolate Cherry Smoothie.

Tart cherries are a great health-promoting type of cherry. They have unique nutritional properties and health benefits. See my recipe for a Tart Cherry Mocktail.

A cranberry is a small, red fruit that is tart and acidic in taste. This type of fruit is often used in sauces, jams, and pies, especially around the holidays.

Cranberries are native to America but are now also grown in Canada and Chile as well. Cranberries are considered a superfood, and they are very high in antioxidants which can help boost the immune system and fight free radicals.

See my recipes for Cranberry Walnut Chicken Salad, Cranberry Mocktail, or Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce.

A red dragon fruit, also known as a pitaya, is a tropical fruit that has a bright red skin and white flesh. It is often used in smoothies and desserts.

Red dragon fruits are native to Mexico, Central America, and South America but are now grown in Mexico, Costa Rica, El Salvador, and Guatemala. They are rich in vitamin C and other antioxidants which is part of a healthy diet.

Don’t miss my Dragon Fruit Smoothie recipe! And, believe it or not, but dragon fruit can come in yellow. They are great tropical fruits.

See my whole article about the benefits of yellow dragon fruit.

A red grape is a small, round fruit that is dark red or purple in color. It is sweet and juicy with a thin skin. Red grapes are often used in winemaking.

Red grapes are native to the Mediterranean region, Central Europe, and Southwestern Asia but are now primarily grown in California. They are a good source of vitamins, copper, and vitamin K.

While grapes do have natural sugars, this makes them excellent snacks! See my recipe for how to make frozen grapes. Kids and adults love this simple treat.

A red grapefruit is a citrus fruit that is red or pink in color. It has a slightly sweeter taste than a regular pink grapefruit and has a juicy flesh.

Red grapefruits are native to Texas, where they were discovered by accident. They are now primarily grown in the Rio Grande Valley.

They are an excellent source of vitamin C, antioxidants, and other essential nutrients. Learn more about the difference between white and red grapefruits.

Grapefruits are great when eaten raw, but I love putting them into a Grapefruit Strawberry Smoothie. So yummy!

A red pear, or Anjou pear, is a type of pear that is red in color. It has a sweet taste and juicy flesh with a small amount of crunch.

Pears are a very popular fruit, but you might have to look at specialty markets to find red pears. I most often see them around the holiday season.

Red pears are native to Europe but are now primarily grown in the United States. They are a good source of vitamin A, vitamin C, iron, and calcium.

A lingonberry is a small, red fruit that is tart and acidic in taste. This fruit’s flavor is more sour than sweet. It is often used in jams, syrups, baked goods, juices, and even some medicines.

Lingonberries are primarily grown in North America, Eurasia, and Japan. They are a good source of antioxidants and manganese.

A pomegranate is a red fruit that is round and has a hard, leathery skin. The edible part of the fruit is the seeds inside and they are very sweet. If you’ve never eaten a fresh pomegranate, then it’s time to try one!

Pomegranates are native to Persia and spread through Arabia, Afghanistan, India, and China. They are now also grown in warmer parts of the United States and Chile. I had my first one when I moved to California as a teenager. This fruit is high in potassium, magnesium, vitamin C, and zinc.

I almost always add pomegranate juice to my breakfast smoothies, but I also love making these healthy Pomegranate Popsicles in the summertime.

A prickly pear is a type of red fruit that is grown on cactus. They’re also called Red Cactus Fruit. The fruit is sweet and has been compared to a mix between watermelon and bubble gum.

Prickly pears are native to the Americas but are now grown in many parts of the world, including Africa, Europe, Australia, and the United States. They are rich in fiber, vitamins C and E, and minerals such as calcium and iron.

A raspberry is a small, red fruit that is tart and acidic, and slightly sweet in taste. It has a bumpy texture and is often used in jams, pies, and desserts. They have a lovely red hue and a slightly tart flavor.

Raspberries are native to Turkey but are now grown in many parts of the world, including Mexico, Poland, Serbia, and the United States. This fruit is high in vitamin C, quercetin, and ellagic acid.

Did you know that a tomato is actually a fruit? A tomato is a medium-sized red fruit that is smooth and fleshy in texture. It is slightly acidic and sweet in taste. Tomatoes are often used in salads, soups, sauces, and sandwiches.

Tomatoes are native to The Americas but are now grown in many parts of the world, including China, India, The United States, Turkey, Egypt, Italy, Iran, Spain, Brazil, and Mexico. They are a good source of folate, vitamin C, and potassium.

Tomatoes are one of the easiest plants to grow in a garden. You can grow them in a pot or even in a hanging basket. Some of my favorite tomato recipes include this Vitamix Tomato Soup or this Cheesecake Factory Tomato Basil Pasta.

A watermelon is a large fruit that is green and striped on the outside and red and juicy on the inside. It is very sweet in taste. It has a soft flesh and is often used in desserts, juices, and salads.

Watermelons are native to Africa but are now grown in many parts of the world, including Turkey, Iran, the United States, and Egypt. This fruit is a good source of vitamin C, potassium, copper, vitamin B5, and vitamin A.

Try using this classic summer melon in this Watermelon Beet Salad recipe. Or, make Watermelon Mint Juice! Both recipes are fantastic.

Red fruits are a great source of antioxidants, which help protect the body against disease. They are also a good source of dietary fiber, vitamin C, and potassium. Use this round-up of the best red fruits for inspiration on your next grocery shopping trip!

About the Author: Carrie Forrest has a master’s degree in public health with a specialty in nutrition. She is a top wellness and food blogger with nearly 10 million annual visitors to her site. Carrie has an incredible story of recovery from chronic illness and is passionate about helping other women transform their health. Send Carrie a message through her contact form.

Don’t forget to join my newsletter list to get exclusive clean eating recipes and tips. The newsletter is 100% free with no spam; unsubscribe anytime.