Looking for a sweet and refreshing side dish or dessert? This Ambrosia Salad recipe is an old family favorite.
It’s a sweet and simple combination of pineapple, coconut, mandarin oranges, and mini marshmallows in a creamy base.
What is Ambrosia Salad?
Ambrosia means ‘food of the gods,’ this version is a family favorite.
- While it’s called “salad,” ambrosia salad is more dessert-like and is often served as a side dish for Christmas, Easter dinner, or Thanksgiving.
- This salad (also called 5-cup salad) needs just 5 ingredients and 5 minutes of prep.
- It’s potluck perfect since it’s best made ahead of time.
Ingredients for Ambrosia Salad
Yogurt/Sour Cream – I have always used sour cream as the base is sweetened by the marshmallows. It can be replaced with plain or vanilla Greek yogurt or ½ with whipped topping (such as Cool Whip).
Marshmallows – Use miniature marshmallows (fruit-flavored or plain). They add sweetness to the base, and the texture will soften as they sit.
Fruit – I use coconut shreds, canned mandarin oranges, and pineapple as my grandma always made it, but you can mix things up with a fruit cocktail or canned peaches.
Variations
While this recipe is delicious exactly as written, you can change it up to your liking.
- Chopped maraschino cherries
- Chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans for crunch
- Fresh bananas, grapes, or strawberries
How to Make Ambrosia Salad
Ambrosia Fruit Salad is a great side dish to make if you are short on time!
- Drain the pineapple and oranges (per the recipe below).
- Add all ingredients except oranges to a bowl, and mix well. Gently fold in oranges.
- Let chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours.
Tips for Ambrosia Salad
- Be sure to make this salad ahead of time to blend the flavors and soften the marshmallows.
- Drain the canned fruit so the dish isn’t watery.
- Gently fold in the mandarin oranges last, as they can be fragile and break apart.
More Dessert Salads
Did your family love this Ambrosia Salad? Be sure to leave a rating and a comment below!
Easy Ambrosia Salad
This easy ambrosia salad recipe is creamy, fluffy, and a colorful holiday side dish!
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In a large bowl, add sour cream, marshmallows, coconut, and pineapple tidbits. Stir until combined.
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Gently fold in mandarin oranges.
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Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight. Serve chilled.
- Make ahead to allow the flavors to blend and to soften the marshmallows.
- Be sure to drain all fruit well to prevent the dish from being watery.
- Mandarin oranges are fragile and break easily, so gently fold them in last
- Greek, plain, or vanilla yogurt can serve as the base. I prefer sour cream which is sweetened by the coconut and marshmallows.
Calories: 156 | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 17mg | Sodium: 45mg | Potassium: 152mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 360IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 44mg | Iron: 0.3mg
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Dessert, Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine American© SpendWithPennies.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Please view my photo use policy here.
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