The paper towel trick actually works for fruit salad

The best way to keep fruit salad fresh and not watery is to dry the fruit before it goes in the container and let a paper towel soak up whatever juice shows up anyway.

Most of the water in fruit salad comes from cut fruit releasing juice — melon, citrus, and pineapple are the worst offenders. Take thirty seconds after cutting to pat everything dry with a clean towel. It makes a bigger difference than any fancy container.

Then build it like a lasagna: paper towel on the bottom, firmer juicy fruit on that layer (melon, pineapple, citrus), then berries and soft fruit on top. Fold another paper towel and lay it on top before closing the lid. The towels catch the juice before it pools at the bottom.

Don’t add sugar, honey, or citrus juice if you’re packing ahead. They draw moisture out of the fruit. If you want a dressing, pack it separately and toss right before eating. And wash berries the morning you eat them, not before they sit in the fridge.

Nobody wants fruit salad soup by Thursday.