Ambrosia Salad is a creamy, sweet, and refreshing fruit salad that has been a favourite at holiday dinners, potlucks, and family gatherings for generations. Made with juicy fruit, fluffy marshmallows, coconut, and a creamy dressing, this easy no-bake recipe comes together in just minutes.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
There are plenty of reasons to add Ambrosia Salad to your dessert table.
Quick and easy: There’s no baking or complicated preparation required. Simply mix the ingredients together and chill.
Perfect for holidays: The colourful fruit and creamy texture make it a beautiful addition to Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, and other celebrations.
Make-ahead friendly: Ambrosia Salad can be prepared ahead of time, making it convenient when you’re cooking for a crowd.
Sweet and creamy: The combination of fruit, marshmallows, coconut, and creamy dressing creates a delicious dessert-like texture.
Customizable: You can easily switch up the fruit, add nuts, or adjust the dressing to suit your taste.
Family-friendly: The sweet flavours and soft, fluffy texture make this a treat that both kids and adults enjoy.
What is Ambrosia Salad?
Ambrosia Salad is a classic American fruit salad traditionally made with ingredients such as oranges, pineapple, coconut, and marshmallows.
Over the years, many variations have become popular. Some versions use whipped topping, sour cream, or yogurt to create a creamy dressing, while others include cherries, grapes, apples, or nuts.
Despite its name, Ambrosia Salad is more like a sweet dessert than a traditional savoury salad. It is typically served chilled and works particularly well as a holiday side dish or light dessert.
The combination of juicy fruit, sweet marshmallows, coconut, and creamy dressing gives the salad its signature texture and flavour.
What You’ll Need
Mandarin oranges: Mandarin oranges add bright citrus flavour and a juicy texture. Drain them well before adding.
Crushed pineapple: Pineapple provides tropical sweetness and a little acidity that balances the creamy ingredients.
Mini marshmallows: Mini marshmallows give Ambrosia Salad its soft, fluffy texture.
Sweetened shredded coconut: Coconut adds classic tropical flavour and a pleasant chewy texture.
Whipped topping: Whipped topping creates a light and fluffy creamy base.
Sour cream: Sour cream adds a subtle tanginess that balances the sweetness.
Maraschino cherries: Cherries add beautiful colour and a sweet fruity flavour.
Pecans or walnuts: Chopped nuts add a satisfying crunch and optional texture.
For the best results, drain canned fruit thoroughly before adding it to the salad. Excess liquid can make the creamy mixture watery.
Variation Ideas
One of the best things about Ambrosia Salad is how easy it is to customize.
Add More Fruit
You can add diced apples, grapes, strawberries, peaches, or bananas for extra flavour and texture.
If using bananas, add them shortly before serving because they can soften and brown over time.
Use Greek Yogurt
Replace some or all of the sour cream with plain or vanilla Greek yogurt for a slightly different flavour and creamy texture.
Add Different Nuts
Pecans and walnuts are classic choices, but chopped almonds or macadamia nuts can also add delicious crunch.
For a nut-free version, simply leave the nuts out.
Make It Extra Coconutty
If you love coconut, increase the amount of shredded coconut or add toasted coconut flakes on top just before serving.
Add More Cherries
Fold extra maraschino cherries into the salad or reserve a few to decorate the top.
Make It Citrus-Focused
Add extra mandarin oranges or a little finely grated orange zest for a brighter citrus flavour.
How To Make Ambrosia Salad
Step 1: Drain the Fruit
Start by draining the mandarin oranges and crushed pineapple thoroughly.
This is one of the most important steps because excess liquid can make the salad too thin.
Allow the fruit to drain for several minutes before adding it to the mixing bowl.
Step 2: Make the Creamy Dressing
Add the whipped topping and sour cream to a large mixing bowl.
Gently stir until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
Don’t overmix, as you want the dressing to remain light and fluffy.
Step 3: Add the Fruit
Add the drained mandarin oranges and crushed pineapple to the creamy mixture.
Gently fold them in with a spatula.
Step 4: Add Coconut and Marshmallows
Fold in the shredded coconut and mini marshmallows.
Stir gently until everything is evenly distributed.
Step 5: Add the Cherries and Nuts
Fold in the maraschino cherries and chopped pecans or walnuts.
Reserve a few cherries and nuts for garnish if desired.
Step 6: Chill
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or transfer the salad to an airtight container.
Place it in the refrigerator and allow it to chill for at least an hour before serving.
Chilling gives the flavours time to blend and allows the marshmallows to soften slightly.
Step 7: Garnish and Serve
Just before serving, garnish the Ambrosia Salad with extra cherries, coconut, nuts, or a few mandarin orange segments.
Serve chilled.
Serving Suggestions
Ambrosia Salad is incredibly versatile and can be served as either a sweet side dish or a light dessert.
It is especially popular at Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners, where its bright fruit and creamy texture provide a refreshing contrast to heavier dishes.
It also works beautifully for:
- Easter brunches
- Summer BBQs
- Potlucks
- Family reunions
- Birthday parties
- Baby showers
- Holiday buffets
For parties, serve Ambrosia Salad in individual dessert cups for an attractive presentation.
You can also serve it in a large glass bowl so the colourful fruit is visible.
If you’re serving it as dessert, top each portion with an extra maraschino cherry and a sprinkle of coconut.
How To Store Ambrosia Salad
Keep Ambrosia Salad refrigerated until you’re ready to serve it.
Store leftovers in an airtight container or cover the serving bowl tightly with plastic wrap.
Because the salad contains fruit and dairy-based ingredients, it should not be left at room temperature for an extended period.
For the best texture and flavour, enjoy the salad within a few days.
Keep in mind that the fruit may release additional moisture as the salad sits, and the marshmallows will become softer over time.
PrintAmbrosia Salad
The best Ambrosia Salad recipe is made with pineapple, mandarin oranges, yogurt, mini marshmallows, coconut and whipped cream. This easy side dish has a delicious tropical sweetness and is always a crowd favorite!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 8 1x
Ingredients
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt, , or vanilla
- 1 cup shredded sweetened coconut
- 11 ounce can mandarin oranges, , drained
- 8 ounce can pineapple tidbits, , drained
- 1 cup maraschino cherries, , drained
- 1 1/2 cups mini fruit-flavored marshmallows
- Other optional fruit salad add-ins: chopped pecans, , sliced bananas, chopped apples
Instructions
- Add whipping cream to a large bowl or stand mixer and beat with electric beaters for 1-2 minutes. Slowly add powdered sugar and continue beating until stiff peaks form. Fold in yogurt.
- Drain canned fruits very well, then add remaining ingredients to a large serving bowl.
- Fold in whipped cream mixture. Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving.
