Looking for an easy fruit salad that’s creamy, colorful, and perfect for sharing? This classic Ambrosia Fruit Salad is a delicious combination of juicy pineapple, mandarin oranges, maraschino cherries, fresh green grapes, mini marshmallows, coconut, and crunchy pecans, all gently coated in a creamy sour cream dressing.
Every spoonful offers a wonderful mix of sweet fruit, soft marshmallows, and a little crunch from the nuts. It’s simple to prepare, requires no cooking, and tastes even better after chilling in the refrigerator.
Whether you’re serving it at a holiday dinner, summer barbecue, potluck, or family gathering, this old-fashioned Ambrosia Salad is a crowd-pleasing favorite!
Why You’ll Love This Ambrosia Fruit Salad
- No baking required: Simply combine the ingredients and chill.
- Creamy and refreshing: Sour cream creates a smooth dressing that coats every bite.
- Sweet and tangy: Pineapple, mandarin oranges, cherries, and grapes create a delicious balance of flavors.
- Wonderful texture: Mini marshmallows, coconut, and chopped nuts make every spoonful interesting.
- Make-ahead friendly: Prepare it in advance and let the flavors blend in the refrigerator.
- Perfect for gatherings: It’s an easy side dish or dessert that everyone can enjoy.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 1 can (20 ounces) pineapple chunks, drained
- 1 jar (10 ounces) maraschino cherries, drained
- 1 cup green grapes
- 2 cups mini marshmallows
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
- 1/2 cup sweetened flaked coconut
- 1 cup full-fat sour cream
- 1 can (11 ounces) mandarin orange segments, drained
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Drain the Canned Fruit
Open the pineapple, maraschino cherries, and mandarin oranges.
Place each fruit in a separate fine-mesh strainer and allow it to drain thoroughly for at least 5 minutes.
Gently press excess liquid from the pineapple with a spoon. Pat the cherries and mandarin oranges with paper towels if needed.
This step is especially important because excess liquid can make the creamy dressing watery.
Step 2: Prepare the Fruit Mixture
Add the drained pineapple chunks, maraschino cherries, green grapes, mini marshmallows, chopped pecans or walnuts, and shredded coconut to a large mixing bowl.
Gently stir to distribute the ingredients evenly.
Step 3: Add the Mandarin Oranges
Carefully add the drained mandarin orange segments.
Fold them into the mixture gently so they remain intact. Their delicate texture adds a lovely sweetness and bright citrus flavor.
Step 4: Add the Sour Cream
Add the sour cream to the bowl.
Using a rubber spatula, gently fold everything together until the fruit, marshmallows, coconut, and nuts are evenly coated.
Avoid stirring too vigorously because the mandarin oranges can break apart.
Step 5: Chill the Salad
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid.
Refrigerate for 1–2 hours before serving. This gives the marshmallows time to soften slightly and allows the flavors to blend together.
Step 6: Stir and Serve
Remove the salad from the refrigerator and give it a gentle stir.
If the dressing has thickened too much, fold in a small spoonful of sour cream to loosen it.
Serve cold in a large serving bowl or individual dessert cups. Enjoy!
Tips for the Best Ambrosia Fruit Salad
- Drain the fruit thoroughly: This is the most important step for keeping the dressing creamy.
- Use full-fat sour cream: It creates a thicker, richer dressing that coats the fruit beautifully.
- Add mandarin oranges gently: Their segments are delicate and can break apart easily.
- Use mini marshmallows: They soften nicely during chilling and distribute evenly throughout the salad.
- Toast the nuts: Lightly toasting pecans or walnuts brings out their natural flavor.
- Chill before serving: Allow at least 1–2 hours for the best texture and flavor.
- Keep it cold: Store the salad in the refrigerator until serving time.
Delicious Variations
Ambrosia Salad with Greek Yogurt: Replace the sour cream with an equal amount of full-fat Greek yogurt for a slightly tangier version.
Coconut Lovers’ Ambrosia: Add another 1/4 cup of shredded coconut for extra tropical flavor.
Pecan Ambrosia Salad: Use toasted pecans instead of walnuts for a buttery, nutty crunch.
Holiday Ambrosia Salad: Add a handful of dried cranberries for a festive touch.
Fresh Berry Ambrosia: Fold in fresh blueberries just before serving for extra color and flavor.
Extra Creamy Ambrosia: Use half sour cream and half full-fat Greek yogurt for a creamy dressing with a little extra tang.
What to Serve with Ambrosia Fruit Salad
This versatile fruit salad works beautifully as both a side dish and a dessert.
Serve it alongside:
- Baked ham
- Roasted chicken
- Grilled meats
- Holiday casseroles
- Sandwiches and sliders
- Freshly baked rolls
- Other classic potluck dishes
For dessert, spoon it into individual cups and garnish with a little extra coconut or chopped pecans.
How to Store Ambrosia Fruit Salad
Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Stir gently before serving.
Make Ahead: You can prepare this salad up to 24 hours before serving. Keep it covered and refrigerated so the flavors have time to blend.
Freezing: Freezing is not recommended. Sour cream can separate after thawing, and the fruit may become soft and watery.
Serving at Gatherings: Keep the salad chilled until ready to serve. Return leftovers to the refrigerator promptly, and don’t leave this dairy-based dish at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ambrosia Fruit Salad made of?
Traditional Ambrosia Salad usually combines pineapple, mandarin oranges, cherries, grapes, mini marshmallows, coconut, nuts, and a creamy dressing. This version uses sour cream for its smooth texture and slightly tangy flavor.
Can I make Ambrosia Salad the night before?
Absolutely! This salad is perfect for preparing ahead. Make it the night before, cover it tightly, and refrigerate overnight. Give it a gentle stir before serving.
Why is my Ambrosia Salad watery?
The most common reason is excess liquid from canned fruit. Drain the pineapple, cherries, and mandarin oranges very thoroughly before mixing them with the sour cream.
Can I leave out the coconut?
Yes! Simply omit the coconut if you don’t enjoy its texture or flavor. The salad will still be creamy and delicious.
Can I use walnuts instead of pecans?
Definitely. Walnuts are an excellent substitute for pecans. You can also leave out the nuts entirely.
Can I use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream?
Yes. Full-fat Greek yogurt works well as a substitute. It creates a slightly tangier dressing while keeping the fruit creamy.
Should Ambrosia Salad be served cold?
Yes! Ambrosia tastes best chilled. Refrigerating it for 1–2 hours helps the marshmallows soften and allows all the flavors to come together.
How long does Ambrosia Salad last?
When stored in a covered container in the refrigerator, it keeps for up to 3 days. For the freshest texture, enjoy it within that time.
Ambrosia Fruit Salad Recipe Card
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Chill Time: 1–2 hours
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: Approximately 1 hour 20 minutes to 2 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 6
Course: Side Dish, Dessert
Cuisine: American
Method: No-Cook, Chilled
Ingredients
- 1 can (20 ounces) pineapple chunks, drained
- 1 jar (10 ounces) maraschino cherries, drained
- 1 cup green grapes
- 2 cups mini marshmallows
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
- 1/2 cup flaked coconut
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 can (11 ounces) mandarin orange segments, drained
Instructions
- Drain the pineapple chunks, maraschino cherries, and mandarin oranges thoroughly.
- Add pineapple, cherries, green grapes, mini marshmallows, chopped nuts, and coconut to a large mixing bowl.
- Gently fold in the drained mandarin orange segments.
- Add the sour cream.
- Fold gently until all ingredients are evenly coated.
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 1–2 hours.
- Stir gently before serving.
- Serve cold and enjoy!
Final Thoughts
This Best Ambrosia Fruit Salad is a simple, delicious recipe that brings together everything you love about a classic creamy fruit salad. Sweet pineapple, juicy mandarin oranges, colorful cherries, fluffy marshmallows, coconut, and crunchy nuts create a wonderful combination in every bite.
It’s easy to make, requires no baking, and is perfect for holidays, potlucks, barbecues, and family dinners. Prepare it ahead, chill until ready, and enjoy a refreshing bowl of old-fashioned Ambrosia Salad!