Bring extra sweetness to your holiday table with this Ambrosia Salad recipe! Toss canned fruit with whipped cream and marshmallows to create an easy an easy side dish.
No holiday meal is complete without a cold, fruity salad. This Frozen Cranberry Salad is another must-try! This Pistachio Salad is also a favorite among readers!
What is the Recipe for Ambrosia Salad
Ambrosia is a fruit salad with sweet creamy dressing. Originally from the American south, this dish is now a popular part of holiday meals across the United States.
Depending on the cook, there are many different ways to make classic Ambrosia.
- Virtually all Ambrosia Salad recipes include canned fruit, a creamy dressing, coconut and/or marshmallows.
- Some include nuts, chocolate or other mix-ins too.
- This dish is the kind of “salad” that makes you question the meaning of the word. Ambrosia is decadent and rich–more similar to a dessert than a typical dinner salad.
The combination of fruits, cream, and coconut is delicious on a holiday dinner plate.
Whether you grew up eating this easy Ambrosia Salad or are trying it for the first time, this recipe is a great Christmas side dish!
Paired with your classic sweet potato casserole, and of course some cheesy hashbrown casserole, your family and friends will love it.
Remember to give our lemon jello salad a try next time!
Ambrosia Salad Ingredients
- Whipped Cream – My homemade whipped cream is delicious in today’s recipe, but Cool Whip (whipped topping) works too.
- Fruit Flavored Mini-Marshmallows – I love the color and flavor these add! Of course, regular miniature marshmallows are a fine substitute.
- Sour Cream – For a sweeter twist, substitute vanilla pudding instead.
- Maraschino Cherries – Make sure to remove the stems first.
- Pineapple Chunks – Crushed pineapple works well in this Ambrosia Salad recipe too.
- Mandarin Oranges- Swap out all the canned fruit for a couple cans of fruit salad instead!
- Coconut – Use the sweetened flakes to add some crunchy texture and delicious flavor to the fruit salad. Or toast the coconut for delicious texture.
How to Make Ambrosia Salad
- In a large bowl, mix the whipped cream and sour cream first. Then fold in the fruits, shredded coconut, and marshmallows.
- You could also use vanilla yogurt instead of sour cream if preferred.
- Cover and chill Ambrosia Salad for at least an hour before serving.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 2 to 3 days.
More Easy Desserts
- Rice Krispie Treats Recipe
- Chocolate Eclair Cake
- Banana Pudding
- Broken Glass Jello
- No Bake Cheesecake
- Dirt Cake
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Ambrosia Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 Ounces Whipped Cream
- 2 Cups Fruit Flavored Mini Marshmallows
- 1 Cup Sweetened Coconut
- ½ Cup Sour Cream
- 1 Can Pineapple Chunks 20 ounces, drained
- 1 Jar Maraschino Cherries 10 ounces, drained
- 1 Can Mandarin Oranges 11 ounces, drained
Instructions
- Thoroughly mix together the sour cream and whipped cream in a medium mixing bowl.
- Remove any stems from the cherries. Add all remaining ingredients and fold in until evenly distributed.
- Cover and chill for about an hour before serving. Enjoy!
Notes
- You could also use vanilla yogurt instead of sour cream if preferred.
- Cover and chill Ambrosia Salad for at least an hour before serving.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 2 to 3 days.
Nutrition
Easy Side Dish Recipes
Creamy, cold and sweet Ambrosia Salad never goes out of style! Our version of the nostalgic holiday side dish is easy to make and full of fruity flavor.
I have been making this for many years! Sometimes I add 1 small box of orange jello to all the fruit in a big bowl with the coconut & Cool whip! YUMMY!
Do not like maraschino cherries? Any other item?
So tasty!
Ambrosia salad is my favorite! I could eat the whole bowl!! LOVE this recipe!
Just like my grandma used to make, even better! Thank you!
The kids loved this salad, it was super easy to make and delicious made for the best quick and easy dessert!
Do you use something like Cool Whip for the whipping cream?
Thanks.
I do! But homemade whipped cream will work too.