Ambrosia Salad
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Posted: 03/21/22
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The classic recipe brings you right back to childhood. Ambrosia Salad is the perfect side dish, also known as 5-Cup Salad. Light fluffy cream base with coconut, pineapple oranges, maraschino cherries and marshmallows!
Today we’re taking a trip down memory lane with this easy ambrosia salad! This old-fashioned recipe is a creamy fruit salad that the perfect cool and creamy side dish for potlucks or holiday meals.
I grew up eating this salad at all of our family gatherings and I still love the combination of the sweet fruit with the tangy sour cream dressing. Now, I make it potlucks and family dinners and it’s always a hit.
Contents
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Why This Recipe Works
- This is a classic ambrosia salad – easy to make and the best combination of fruit! It’s simple and delicious the way it is, but I have some other mix-in ideas later in the post if you want to change it up.
- It’s really quick to make because there’s hardly any prep work! I use canned fruit so it’s easy to just mix and serve this easy salad.
- It’s a great side dish but, like fluff salads, you can serve it for dessert, too. It’s a no-bake, cold and creamy dish that is perfect for serving a crowd.
If you’re in a retro mood you can’t go wrong with this ambrosia salad recipe! Make it and it will bring a smile to everyone’s faces.
Ingredients
- Fruit – Canned mandarin oranges and pineapple tidbits
- Mini marshmallows – You can use regular or fruit flavored marshmallows
- Shredded coconut – You’ll want to use sweetened coconut
- Maraschino cherries – Make sure they have the stems removed
- Sour cream
Products Needed
How to Make It
First, thoroughly drain the canned oranges and pineapple bits. Place them in a large bowl along with the marshmallows, coconut, and cherries. Stir to combine.
Add the sour cream and mix to coat the fruit.
Cover the bowl and refrigerate the salad for at least four hours or, ideally, overnight. Transfer the salad to a serving bowl and serve cold.
Variations
A classic ambrosia salad is very simple with fruit, coconut, and sour cream but that doesn’t mean you can’t put a spin on it. Here are some other mix-ins you might like to try:
- I’ve seen versions with chopped nuts like chopped pecans, almonds, or walnuts.
- You can use fresh pineapple and other fresh fruit instead of canned – it just takes more work to prep the fruit!
- To make it like a fluff dessert salad, you can omit the sour cream and fold in a whipped topping like Cool Whip instead.
Why is is called ambrosia salad?
The name is in reference to the food of the Gods in Greek mythology because, back when it became popular, the ingredients were considered fancy and hard to find. This type of dessert salad has roots in the South where it’s commonly served at Christmas.
What are the main ingredients?
There are a lot of variations, but ambrosia salad is usually made with pineapple, oranges, cherries, and coconut.
What is a good topping for ambrosia salad?
Since I mix in sour cream, I don’t usually add a topping but chopped pecans and extra shredded coconut can be used to garnish the top.
How far in advance can you make it?
You can make it a day in advance and keep it covered in an airtight container in the refrigerator until you’re read to serve it.
How long do leftovers keep?
Leftover ambrosia fruit salad will keep for one to two days in the refrigerator. The fruit may start to break down, so it’s best to enjoy it within a day or so of making it.
Sometimes the best dishes are classic ones and ambrosia salad is always a hit! Give it a try soon and enjoy!
More Recipes You Will Love
- Cottage Cheese Jello Salad is a Midwestern potluck favorite! It combines cottage cheese with strawberry jello, fruit, and Cool Whip for a cool and creamy dessert salad.
- Layered Strawberry Salad is a light and fluffy salad made with jello and whipped cream. It’s always a crowd-pleaser!
- Sunshine Fruit Salad is a bright and fresh way to start the day! Blueberries, bananas, pineapple, and other fruit is a great side for breakfast or brunch.
Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure tag me on Instagram at @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats so I can see your yummy treat!
Ambrosia Salad
Light fluffy mixture of pineapple, cherries, marshmallows, oranges and coconut! The perfect side dish recipe that's quick to make.
Ingredients
- 15 ounces can mandarin oranges drained
- 8 ounces can pineapple tidbits drained
- 1 cup miniature marshmallows regular or fruit flavored
- 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
- ½ cup maraschino cherries stems removed
- 1 cup sour cream
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl combine everything except the sour cream.
- Mix in sour cream to salad mixture.
- Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight before serving.
Tips
Variations
- I’ve seen versions with chopped nuts like chopped pecans, almonds, or walnuts.
- You can use fresh pineapple and other fresh fruit instead of canned – it just takes more work to prep the fruit!
- To make it like a fluff dessert salad, you can omit the sour cream and fold in a whipped topping like Cool Whip instead.
How far in advance can you make it?
You can make it a day in advance and keep it covered in an airtight container in the refrigerator until you’re read to serve it.
How long do leftovers keep?
Leftover ambrosia fruit salad will keep for one to two days in the refrigerator. The fruit may start to break down, so it’s best to enjoy it within a day or so of making it.
Nutrition Information
Calories: 193kcal (10%), Carbohydrates: 27g (9%), Protein: 2g (4%), Fat: 10g (15%), Saturated Fat: 7g (44%), Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2g, Cholesterol: 15mg (5%), Sodium: 61mg (3%), Potassium: 189mg (5%), Fiber: 2g (8%), Sugar: 23g (26%), Vitamin A: 897IU (18%), Vitamin C: 21mg (25%), Calcium: 52mg (5%), Iron: 1mg (6%)
Danielle says
Took full advantage of the warm weather, grilling and added this as our side dish, it was delicious!
Alison says
We used fresh fruit and it was delish! A big hit at brunch.