A list of fruits and vegetables by color and ways to use them. Layer the colorful produce onto your toast, add them to yogurt or serve them up as a snack like these cracker toppings. There are lots of ways to add rainbow produce to your plate.


There’s good reason to add more plants into your plate. And it’s not about getting more likes on a social media post.

Do it for yourself.

Five round crackers in a row. Each topped with cream cheese and (from left to right) turmeric powder, diced red peppers, black sesame seeds, diced blueberries and sliced scallions. Extra toppings spilling over onto a white marble background.

Health benefits

Fruits and vegetables come in a wide variety of different options. Each with it’s own taste, texture and flavor.

They’re a nutrient dense food. Containing vitamins, minerals, complex carbohydrates, plant based proteins, fiber and are naturally low in calories.

Colorful fruits and vegetables also contain protective plant compounds. Which may help reduce the risk of diseases, including heart disease, high blood pressure and some cancers.

Customized Colors

In addition to their health benefits, colorful produce can also add some fun to the table. Especially when celebrating holidays or special events in your life.

Include colorful vegetables and fruits into the party theme. The same way you would pick the colors & decorations.

Like these colorful ideas for Valentine’s Day, 4th of July and the Olympics.

cream cheese on toast with a heart shaped design made from freeze dried berries, on a red heart plate

Different Prep

Preparing colorful produce doesn’t have to be complicated. Most can be enjoyed fresh. Simply wash and slice before adding them to your plate.

Another convenient option is to use canned or frozen produce. Look for products that are packed in water or 100% juice. These can be used straight from the packaging or after they’ve thawed for a few minutes.

Side view of cream cheese crackers with colorful toppings. Including turmeric, diced red peppers, black sesame seeds, diced blueberries and sliced scallions.

Fruits and Vegetables by Color

Ready to color code your shopping cart? Maybe not. But, here’s a list to inspire some colorful produce combinations.

Red produce

  • cherries
  • grapes
  • pomegranate
  • raspberries
  • strawberries
  • tomatoes

Green

  • cucumbers
  • broccoli
  • chives
  • grapes
  • herbs
  • lettuce
  • olives
  • pepper
  • scallions
  • snap peas
  • spinach

Yellow colored foods

  • chickpeas
  • corn kernels
  • golden kiwi
  • gooseberries
  • pepper
  • pineapple

Blue/Purple

  • blackberries
  • blueberries
  • red onion

Black

  • beans
  • olives
  • poppy seeds
  • sesame seeds

For more colorful produce ideas, check out this more comprehensive list.

Five round crackers, each topped with cream cheese and turmeric powder, diced red peppers, black sesame seeds, diced blueberries or sliced scallions. Extra toppings spilling over onto a white marble background.

Over 10 ways to add rainbow produce to your plate

  1. in a bowl of cereal
  2. add sliced fruit to yogurt
  3. order them on a pizza or include in a homemade one
  4. over a spread, like on top of the cream cheese covered crackers above
  5. variety of different salads
  6. layered in a sandwich
  7. blended into dressings
  8. garnish with a crunchy topping
  9. as part of a fun dessert
  10. mixed into pasta salads
  11. baked into bread
  12. on its own – it doesn’t have to be complicated. Whether you’re cooking in the kitchen or ordering food, see if you can include a produce option to your plate.
Open face toast sandwich on a black plate, with cucumber, arugula and scrambled eggs. Background contains scrambled eggs in a cast iron pan and two additional sandwiches.
Flatbread with a vegan lachmagine spread and topped with fresh vegetables. Whole mushrooms, pomegranates & juice in background.
Bowl of cranberry salad dressing, with cranberry garnish, surrounded by a plate of prepared salad ingredients, bunch of arugula and a small bowl of cranberry sauce.
fruit sandwiched between 2 cookies to resemble a burger
pasta salad with ingredients

FAQS & TIPS


Will cooked produce be as colorful?

The different color of fruits and vegetables can be affected by heat, water solubility, or changes in pH level.
To keep bright colored vegetables and fruits the same, cook and cool for the shortest amount of time possible. Pay attention to additional ingredients that can change the pH and the method of cooking being used.

LOOKING FOR MORE RECIPES?


Check out the recipe index where you can find the latest recipe or browse by meal type or category!


This post was originally published in 2016 and has been revamped and republished in February 2022.

Colorful Fruits And Vegetables & Ways To Use Rainbow Produce

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