Ambrosia Salad

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!

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Today we’re taking a trip down memory lane with this easy ambrosia salad! This old-fashioned recipe is a creamy fruit salad that is the perfect cool and creamy side dish for potlucks or holiday meals.

I grew up eating this salad at all of our family gatherings alongside other classic treats like Easter haystacks. I still love the combination of the sweet fruit with the tangy sour cream dressing. Now, I make this classic ambrosia salad recipe for potlucks and family dinners and it’s always a hit.

If you’re in a retro mood you can’t go wrong with this easy ambrosia salad! Make it and it will bring a smile to everyone’s faces.

Why This Recipe Works

• This is a classic ambrosia salad is an 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 up the texture and taste.
• 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.

What is 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.

There are a lot of different versions of this recipe. Some of them include using cottage cheese, some use sour cream like ours and some use vanilla pudding.

One thing they all seem to have in common is that they include citrus fruit, coconut in a creamy and tangy base.

We call it a salad in the Midwest and serve it with the main meal, but it’s probably more of a “dessert salad”!

Ingredients for Ambrosia Salad

• 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 – We recommend a full-fat version as the reduced fat can get watery.

How to Make Ambrosia Salad

1. 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.
2. Add the sour cream and mix to coat the fruit.
3. 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.

How To Store Leftover Ambrosia Salad

Leftover ambrosia fruit salad will keep for one to two days in the refrigerator. The fruit may start to break down, effecting the flavor and texture, so it’s best to enjoy it within a day or so of making it.

Can you freeze ambrosia salad?

Technically, yes you can freeze leftover of this ambrosia salad but the texture and flavor will likely change once it is thawed. It would most likely be pretty liquidy once thawed. I recommend just making it fresh and only storing leftovers in the fridge for a day or two.

Customization Ideas

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. Add a bit of crunch into the best ambrosia salad recipe.
• You can use fresh pineapple and other fresh fruit instead of canned – it just takes more work to prep the fruit!
• There are loads of other fruits that you can mix into this ambrosia fruit salad recipe. Halved grapes, strawberries, and peaches are just a few of the tastiest ideas!
• To make it like a fluff dessert salad, you can omit the sour cream and fold in a whipped topping like Cool Whip instead. You could also use Greek yogurt in the place of sour cream.
• For a fun squishy texture thrown into the dish, mix in some marshmallows!

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.
• Creamy Grape Salad is a classic Midwestern recipe that everyone loves for a side dish.
• This Strawberry Pretzel Salad recipe is always a hit at any holiday or potluck!
• Quick and easy Cranberry Fluff Salad is a hit side dish recipe for Thanksgiving!

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!

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5 from 7 votes

Ambrosia Salad

Light fluffy mixture of pineapple, cherries, marshmallows, oranges and coconut! The perfect side dish recipe that's quick to make.

Prep:5 minutes mins

Resting Time:4 hours hrs

Total:4 hours hrs 5 minutes mins

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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%)

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We are not dietitians and recommend you seek a nutritionist for exact nutritional information. The information in the nutrition box is calculated through a program and there is room for error. If you need an accurate count, I recommend running the ingredients through your favorite nutrition calculator.