Traditional Ambrosia Salad Recipe

5 from 4 votes
4 Comments

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This ambrosia salad recipe is sweet marshmallows, a creamy mixture, and a delicious crunch. Filled with a sweet and savory taste and texture in every bite. This salad is perfect for feeding a crowd!

Three cups of Ambrosia salad topped with pecans and cherries.
Featured with this recipe
  1. Ambrosia Salad Ingredients
  2. Preparing the Fruit
  3. Possible Variations for Ambrosia Salad
  4. Frequently Asked Questions
  5. Storing and Making Ahead the Best Ambrosia Salad
  6. More Sweet Salad Recipes
  7. How to Make Ambrosia Salad
  8. Ambrosia Salad Recipe

Ambrosia salad is a traditional American fruit salad that is savory for a side dish but sweet enough to be a dessert! Stir together all the ingredients and chill for a special salad that is a classic on the table each get together. It is a delicious salad that kids and adults all love!

It is one of those ambrosia fruit salad recipes that is really more like a dessert. It is creamy, sweet, and bursting with flavor! Depending on where you are from it might be one of your Thanksgiving, Easter, or Christmas classics. You might have also seen this easy ambrosia salad pop up at potlucks as a side dish.

Ambrosia Salad Ingredients

Ambrosia salad has a unique list of ingredients, but they all come together to create a sweet treat! The creamy goodness folds in all the fruit and sweet marshmallows for a tasty and colorful side dish or dessert. Serve it in a cup to look fancy or grab a large bowl to share with everyone around. It is the perfect combination!

  • Fruit – A can of mandarin orange slices, pineapple tidbits, and maraschino cherries are three fruits that create the base of the ambrosia fruit salad. 
  • Fruit-flavored Mini Marshmallows – You’ll definitely want to use the colorful, fruit-flavored mini marshmallows for this recipe. Not only does it add flavor, but it adds such fun colors as well! 
  • Chopped Pecans – The nuts add a nice crunch to an otherwise soft and creamy dish. 
  • Sour Cream – Some people may be tempted to use something sweeter like Cool Whip or homemade whipped topping, but the sour cream gives it a tangy flavor that compliments the sweetness of the fruit. If you are just dying for some more sweetness, you can stir in some vanilla extract as well. 
  • Optional – Sweetened coconut shreds are in almost every ambrosia salad recipe. If you have coconut lovers then this is a MUST add in!

Preparing the Fruit

The most important step in this recipe is to drain the fruit. If you leave too much liquid in, the sour cream won’t stick to the fruit and you’ll have a mess on your hands. Pour the fruit into a strainer and really let the liquid run off. If using fresh fruit, let it sit in a bowl for about 10 minutes and then drain off any excess liquid.

Three cups of Ambrosia salad topped with pecans and cherries


Possible Variations for Ambrosia Salad

Since ambrosia salad is such a simple recipe, there are many ways to make it your own! Add in some of these favorite fruits and nuts to help boost the best ambrosia salad recipe. Below are some ideas, but if you have any of your own, let us know in the comments below! 

  • Fruits – Add bananas, peaches, blueberries, strawberries, or peeled grapes. You can also use fresh fruit as opposed to canned. Use sliced tangerines and sliced fresh pineapple for this fruit salad recipe. 
  • Nuts – Instead of pecans, you can use walnuts or pistachios. 
  • Sour Cream – If the sour cream just isn’t working for you, you can try Greek yogurt, vanilla yogurt, or a whipped cream mixture.

“We loved this side salad, it was so good! The kids ate it like they eat candy!! The best replacement for a healthier dessert!”

-Lily

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the origin of ambrosia?

The word “ambrosia” is found in Greek mythology and refers to food the gods eat. According to authors like Homer, ambrosia is what gave the gods longevity and immortality.

What country does Ambrosia come from?

Ambrosia salad comes from America originating in the southern United States. An ambrosia salad is popular at potlucks and food gatherings as a classic side dish that can be a dessert.

How long does ambrosia take to set?

After making the ambrosia salad, place in the fridge for 24 hours. Once cold, serve right from the refrigerator.

A large bowl of ambrosia salad topped with orange slices, maraschino cherries, and pecans

Storing and Making Ahead the Best Ambrosia Salad

Making this salad ahead of time and storing is easier than you think! Simply make the salad as instructed and place it in the refrigerator overnight. Garnish with extra cherries, mandarin oranges, and chopped walnuts. Stir and serve chilled!

More Sweet Salad Recipes

These recipes, like Ambrosia Salad, are more of a dessert than a salad, but we don’t care! They are delicious and both adults and kids love them!

How to Make Ambrosia Salad

Three cups of Ambrosia salad topped with pecans and cherries

Ambrosia Salad

5 from 4 votes
This Ambrosia Salad recipe is sweet, creamy, and delicious. Find out how to make this Ambrosia Salad here.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Chill Time 1 day
Total Time 1 day 15 minutes
Course Salad
Cuisine American
Servings 10

Video

Ingredients

  • 15 ounces mandarin oranges drained
  • 20 ounces pineapple tidbits drained
  • 16 ounces maraschino cherries drained
  • 3 cups fruit-flavored mini marshmallows
  • 1 cup pecans chopped
  • 1 cup shredded coconut optional
  • 1 pint sour cream

Instructions

  • Mix everything except the sour cream together in a large bowl.
    A glass bowl full of marshmallows, mandarin oranges, pineapple, and cherries
  • Fold in sour cream.
    A bowl full of fruit and marshmallows covered in a sugary sauce
  • Chill for 24 hours. Top with extra fruit and nuts if desired. Add a little pineapple juice if the salad is too dry.
    A large bowl of ambrosia salad topped with orange slices, maraschino cherries, and pecans

Nutrition Information

Calories: 391kcalCarbohydrates: 53gProtein: 3gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 25mgSodium: 77mgPotassium: 293mgFiber: 4gSugar: 44gVitamin A: 639IUVitamin C: 17mgCalcium: 111mgIron: 1mg

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About the author

Kelsey Crist

Kelsey lives in Washington with her husband, Alex, and two cats, Diana and Nova. Her happy place is in the kitchen listening to an audiobook and trying new recipes. When she's not in the kitchen you can find her hiking, shopping at Trader Joe's, or playing Animal Crossing. Her favorite food is pasta and Alex loves when she makes Homemade Oreos.

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  1. 5 stars
    We loved this side salad, it was so good! The kids ate it like they eat candy!! The best replacement for a healthier dessert!