Ambrosia Salad mixes pineapple, oranges, grapes, cherries, mini marshmallows, and coconut in a creamy, tangy dressing.
What Is Ambrosia Salad?
Ambrosia salad is a sweet mix of mini marshmallows, coconut, canned fruit like mandarin oranges, pineapple, cherries, and fresh grapes. I toss it all together with a creamy dressing made from whipped cream, yogurt, and a little citrus.
Growing up in Utah, I’ve had plenty of these dessert salads at potlucks, and we definitely know how to do them right. Snickers in a salad? Yes, please!
Quick Tip
In Greek mythology, ambrosia was a sweet treat for the Gods. Luckily, Ambrosia Salad is sweet, light, and perfect for us humans to enjoy!
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this Ambrosia Fruit Salad:
- Mini Marshmallows: Adds sweetness and soft texture. Use rainbow for extra color.
- Coconut Flakes: Sweetened adds more flavor.
- Mandarin Oranges: Drain well to keep the salad from getting soggy.
- Maraschino Cherries: Remove stems and drain to prevent the salad from turning red.
- Pineapple Tidbits: Use fruit canned in juice or water, not syrup.
- Grapes: Green or purple seedless both work great.
- Heavy Cream: Whip until stiff for a fluffy dressing.
- Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and helps the cream whip up nicely.
- Vanilla Extract: Boosts the flavor.
- Lemon: Zest and juice add a fresh, bright taste.
- Greek Yogurt: Honey vanilla adds sweetness and creaminess without too much tang.
How To Make Ambrosia Salad
- Prep Lemon: Grate the yellow part of the lemon and squeeze out the juice; set aside.
- Mix Salad: Mix marshmallows, coconut, oranges, cherries, pineapple, and grapes in a big bowl.
- Whip cream: Whip cream, sugar, vanilla, and salt until stiff.
- Add yogurt and lemon: Fold in yogurt, zest, and juice.
- Combine: Carefully mix the dressing into the salad.
- Chill: Cover and place in the fridge for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
Quick Tip
Mandarin oranges and marshmallows are delicate. Use a spatula to gently fold the salad instead of stirring.
Variations
Ambrosia Salad Recipe Variations
- Whipped Topping: Use an 8-ounce container of thawed whipped topping (like Cool Whip) instead of heavy cream and powdered sugar.
- Add Nuts: Mix in 1/2 to 3/4 cup of chopped pecans or walnuts.
- Sour Cream: Use sour cream instead of Greek yogurt.
- Fresh Fruit: Swap canned fruit for fresh mandarin oranges and pineapple when you can find them.
- Add Bananas: Right before serving, add 1/2 cup of thinly sliced bananas.
- Fruit Cocktail: Add a can of drained fruit cocktail if fresh fruit isn’t available.
Serving Suggestions
Here are some quick serving ideas for Ambrosia Salad:
- BBQ: Serve with grilled chicken, ribs, or burgers.
- Holidays: Great with ham, turkey, or roast beef.
- Dessert: Enjoy chilled as a light, fruity dessert.
- Brunch: Pair with muffins, quiche, or eggs.
- Cakes: Use as a topping for pound cake or angel food cake.
Storage
Keep leftovers in a sealed container. It’s best to eat it the same day, but it can stay fresh in the fridge for up to 3 days. If it separates, just stir it before eating. It will stay fresh longer if the fruit is drained well before mixing.
More Fruit Salads
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Zest the lemon with a zester to get 1/2 teaspoon of zest. Juice it using a citrus juicer to get 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Set aside.
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Place the mini marshmallows, shredded coconut, well-drained mandarin oranges, drained and quartered maraschino cherries, well-drained pineapple tidbits, and halved grapes into a large bowl (see note 1). Gently stir to combine.
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In a large bowl, combine the heavy cream, powdered sugar, salt, and vanilla extract (see note 2). Whip with a mixer until stiff peaks form. Gently fold in the lemon juice and zest until combined. Fold in the yogurt.
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Using a spatula, scoop all of the dressing over the salad ingredients. Gently fold until everything is mixed and ingredients are evenly coated in the dressing.
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Cover and place in the fridge for 30 minutes to 1 hour before serving. Gently stir before serving.
Note 2: A thawed tub of frozen whipped topping can be substituted for the homemade whipped cream.
Storage: It’s best enjoyed the same day but can stay fresh for up to 3 days in the fridge. Store any leftovers in an airtight container. If it separates, give it a quick stir. Draining the fruit well helps it last longer.
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 387kcal | Carbohydrates: 77g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 25mg | Sodium: 116mg | Potassium: 101mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 58g | Vitamin A: 282IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 36mg | Iron: 1mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.