Best Ambrosia Salad Recipe

The classic Best Ambrosia Salad Recipe is simple to put together for a weeknight meal and special enough for your holiday table.

Classic Ambrosia Salad Recipe

When I told the baby child that I was sharing our Best Ambrosia Salad Recipe on the blog she said, "What's that?!".

Child, Ambrosia Salad is one of the dishes that gets served so often here on the farm that the kids didn't even know it had a real name. It's simply lovingly called "fruit salad" at our house.

Our creamy fruit salad usually features mandarin oranges and pineapple tidbits, some mini marshmallows, and sour cream, whipped cream, or yogurt to bring it together.

I often make 2 bowls. Only one bowl will have chopped nuts and shredded coconut. The people in this house are spoiled, but the prep time is minimal. So, let them be spoiled.

Served as a refreshing side dish or a light dessert, this sweet salad is a favorite in our house.

I hope this classic recipe will be a big hit for you and you will add it to your family's regular rotation.

I'm sharing the basic way I make it, but know that there are lots of ways to change it up. I'll share some of the ways in the variations section, but get creative. Make it fit your family.

Ingredients

• Mandarin Oranges, drained
• Pineapple Tidbits, drained--you can use pineapple chunks, but they are a bit large in my opinion
• Miniature Marshmallows--I use the plain white ones, but the colorful, fruit flavored ones would be tasty here
• Sour Cream--sometimes I substitute whipped cream or Greek yogurt
• Pecans, chopped--walnuts are also tasty
• Shredded Coconut--sweetened or unsweetened coconut
• Maraschino Cherries, halved
• Optional ingredients--cottage cheese, Cool Whip, homemade whipped cream, fresh fruits, fruit cocktail, other nuts, coconut flakes, cream cheese tropical fruit medley, etc. See the Substitutions and Variations section below.

How to Make Ambrosia Salad

1. Drain canned fruits very well and pour them into a large bowl.
2. Using a rubber spatula ,stir in mini marshmallows, sour cream, pecans, and coconut. Stir well.
3. Add maraschino cherries right before serving, if desired.
4. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Top Tip

Word of Caution: Whipped cream or topping deflate a bit in this fruit salad. So if you opt to add it, add it just before serving.

Substitutions and Variations

Fruit Cocktail Ambrosia Salad--Use 2 cans of drained fruit cocktail or any canned fruit in place of mandarin oranges and pineapple tidbits, if desired.

Whipped Cream Ambrosia Salad--Fold in 1 cup of homemade whipped cream made with heavy whipping cream or premade whipped topping instead of sour cream.

Yogurt Ambrosia Salad--Substitute Greek yogurt in plain or vanilla yogurt for sour cream.

Fresh Fruit Ambrosia Salad--Use fresh pineapple, fresh oranges, or other fresh citrus fruit in place of canned.

Cottage Cheese Ambrosia Salad--Stir in a ½ cup of cottage cheese instead of sour cream. Add a dollop of Cool Whip Topping, if desired.

Storing

This Ambrosia recipe holds its shape and quality for at least a week. Store leftover ambrosia salad in a covered airtight container and enjoy it for several days.

Related Recipes

If you love old fashioned, vintage desserts, a few others to try:

• Rice Pudding with Sweetened Condensed Milk
• Applesauce Jello
• 7 Up Salad
• Red Hot Applesauce Jello
• Lemon Jello Cake

Serving Ideas

Ambrosia Salad would pair nicely with so many meals. I like the refreshing touch it brings to a summer menu.

Especially with a good meaty Porky Burger and rich and smoky Baked Beans with Ground Beef. Throw Honey Sriracha Brussels Sprouts in the Air Fryer and you have a fantastic meal.

Did You Try This Recipe?

Lastly, if you made Ambrosia Salad following this recipe, please let me know how you liked it by leaving a comment and/or giving a rating!

I love hearing from you! I'll do my best to respond to each comment.

And of course, if you do make this recipe, tag @laughingroostereats on Instagram and hashtag it #laughingroostereats! Seeing your photos is our favorite thing!

FOOD SAFETY

• Wash hands before cooking
• Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
• Wash hands after touching raw meat
• Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
• Never leave cooking food unattended
• See more guidelines at USDA.gov