Ambrosia salad is creamy, fluffy, and loaded with sweet-tart fruit for the easiest holiday “salad.” With just five minutes of prep and the fridge doing the rest, it’s a no-fuss, make-ahead side that’s perfect for celebrations.
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Holly’s Recipe Highlights
- What is Ambrosia Salad: A classic marshmallow fruit salad with pineapple, mandarins, coconut, and a creamy, chilled base.
- Flavor: Sweet and creamy with a lightly tangy base that balances the fruit and coconut.
- Skill Level: Also called 5 cup salad, this recipe is so easy to prepare. It needs just five ingredients and 5 minutes of prep.
- Serving Suggestions: Like frog eye salad and watergate salad, I love serving this as either a side dish or dessert for the holidays.
What Is in Ambrosia Salad?
- Sour Cream/Yogurt: Use sour cream for a classic flavor, or replace it with plain or vanilla Greek yogurt for a sweeter flavor.
- Marshmallows: Mini marshmallows add sweetness and fluff. For some extra color, use fruit-flavored marshmallows!
- Fruit: The classic mix is sweetened coconut, canned mandarin oranges, and pineapple. Drain fruit very well so the salad stays thick, not watery. For a fresh twist, add halved seedless grapes. For a festive look, stir in well-drained maraschino cherries.
- Optional Add-Ins: Chopped pecans or walnuts add crunch. For a lighter option, fold in 1 to 2 cups of whipped topping.
How to Make Ambrosia Salad
- Combine all ingredients (full recipe below), folding in the mandarins last.
- Chill for 4 hours or overnight before serving.
Chill Scoop Repeat
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Freezing isn’t recommended. For best results, make it at least 4 hours ahead. Stir before serving, and if it loosens, fold in a spoonful of yogurt or sour cream to thicken.
Cozy Holiday Classics
Did your family love this Ambrosia Salad? Leave a comment and rating below!
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup sour cream or plain or vanilla yogurt
- 1 cup miniature marshmallows fruit flavored or white
- 1 cup sweetened coconut flakes
- 1 cup pineapple tidbits well drained
- 1 cup mandarin oranges well drained
Instructions
- In a large bowl, add sour cream, marshmallows, coconut, and pineapple tidbits. Stir until combined.
- Gently fold in mandarin oranges.
- Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight. Serve chilled.
Video
Notes
- 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.
- Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Do not freeze.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Dessert, Salad, Side Dish
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Perfect dessert for summer . Very easy to customize. I used half sour cream half vanilla yogurt ,fruit coctail instead of pineapple and added walnuts and marachino cherries. Kids licked the bowl clean. Love so many of your recipes. Thanks
I’ve made this recipe for family gatherings and my workplace many a times…you know why?? because they love it!! One of my all time favorite go to desserts. I always have to triple the recipe❤️❤️❤️
Delicious!!
This is my daughter’s family tradition recipe for Thanksgiving. I had her start making it when she was three and she helps make it or makes it on her own every year. She loves it! It’s a yummy fun addition to the table.
we made this often when I was growing up but we always called it ” 5 Cup Salad”.