This creamy, dreamy fruit salad always brings a smile to my table. Seriously, the combination of sweet fruit, fluffy marshmallows, and rich cream is pure comfort food magic. Making a truly wonderful Ambrosia Salad is surprisingly simple, requiring no oven time at all. It offers that bright, refreshing flavor we all crave in a classic holiday side dish or summer dessert.

I often rely on this recipe when hosting last minute guests. Furthermore, it tastes even better the next day, which is a huge win for busy folks like us. People always ask for the recipe, so I am thrilled to share my tried and true method today.

Why I Love This Recipe

I adore this recipe for so many reasons, truly. It is incredibly fast to pull together first. Sometimes I need a dessert in a pinch. Plus, the flavor profile is just heavenly. It reminds me fondly of gatherings from my childhood.

Zero Baking Required: Perfect for hot days!
Crowd Pleaser: Everyone always asks for more of this sweet salad.
Make-Ahead Marvel: Flavors deepen beautifully overnight.

Honestly, this classic fruit salad is a lifesaver. It always delivers that required sweet finish to any meal.

Ambrosia Salad Ingredients

The secret to a fantastic homemade Ambrosia Salad lies in the balance of textures. We are combining fluffy sweetness with juicy bursts of fruit here. Think of this as a bright, creamy dream in a bowl!

Let’s look at what goes into this wonderful dish. We need crushed pineapple for a nice, tangy base. Mandarin oranges bring bright citrus notes to the party. Then, fruit cocktail adds that classic mixed presentation. Miniature marshmallows offer that signature pillowy softness everyone expects. Shredded coconut gives us a lovely chewiness and tropical aroma. Maraschino cherries provide beautiful color and sweet pops. Finally, the mixture needs sour cream or Greek yogurt for body. Whipped topping smooths everything out beautifully. For an optional crunch, we add pecans.

Substitutions and Tips

Don’t fret if you have to switch things up a little bit. Using Greek yogurt instead of sour cream makes the creamy salad lighter overall. I prefer making this swap myself sometimes. If you enjoy a richer texture, stick to the sour cream. For flavor boosts, try adding a splash of vanilla extract to the dressing. You can also toast your coconut lightly before mixing. This deepens the nutty flavor wonderfully. If you skip the nuts, try adding toasted slivered almonds instead for variety. Remember to drain all those canned fruits really well. Soggy salad is simply no good!

See recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.

Kitchen Tools You’ll Need

Gathering your tools first makes things run smoothly. I always try to prep my equipment ahead of time. This recipe uses very basic kitchen necessities. Here are the few items I rely upon:

Large mixing bowl for combining everything.
Small bowl for whisking the dressing ingredients.
Measuring cups and spoons are essential here.
A rubber spatula helps with gentle folding.
A tight-fitting lid for refrigeration time post-mixing.

How to Make Ambrosia Salad

Making this classic fruit salad is truly straightforward. Following these simple steps ensures a perfect creamy salad every time. We focus on drainage and gentle mixing here. Read everything through first before you start cooking.

Preparing the Fruit Base

First, you must drain all your canned fruit very well. Excess liquid makes the final salad watery, which we absolutely want to avoid. Use a fine-mesh strainer for separating the liquid.

Next, add the drained pineapple to your big mixing bowl. Then, drop in the mandarin oranges and the fruit cocktail. Toss these juicy elements together lightly. Now, add your dry components. Gently mix in the miniature marshmallows. Sprinkle in the shredded coconut too. Finally, add those pretty halved maraschino cherries. Give this whole fruit base a very light stir to combine the textures.

Creating the Creamy Dressing

Switch gears to a separate, smaller bowl now. This is where the magic happens, folks. Pour in your sour cream or Greek yogurt. You can taste the difference between them later.

Next, add the thawed whipped topping into that small bowl. Whisk these two creamy items together until smooth. You want no lumps visible at all. This creamy mixture will coat every piece beautifully later on. Taste it quickly for sweetness if you dare!

Gently Combining and Chilling

Pour that glorious creamy dressing over your prepared fruit base. Now, you need to fold everything. Use your rubber spatula for this important action. Fold carefully; do not stir vigorously. We want to maintain the structure of the fruit.

If you are using chopped pecans, stir them in very carefully now. Cover your wonderful Ambrosia Salad tightly. Refrigeration is not optional; it is crucial. Chill the salad for a minimum of two hours. Overnight chilling allows the flavors to really meld perfectly. Serve this delicious sweet salad cold straight from the fridge.

how to store ambrosia salad

Proper storage keeps this creamy salad fresh for days. Always cover your bowl tightly with plastic wrap or a lid. Store leftovers in the refrigerator right away. This sweet salad lasts well for three to four days maximum. Marshmallows might soften over time, of course. Freezing is not recommended for this particular fruit salad. The texture becomes quite unpleasant upon thawing. Enjoying it chilled is truly the best way to eat it.

Tips for Success

Getting this sweet salad just right needs a few little tricks. I have learned these the hard way over the years. Follow these quick pointers for the best results.