Ambrosia Salad is an American variation of fruit salad that has been around for years. It is a tasty combination of pineapple, oranges, cherries, pecans, and coconut, in a whipped cream mixture. This classic "church salad" has been made for many church family gatherings, potlucks, backyard barbecues, and pig pickings.
It is quick and easy to make. Make Ambrosia Fruit Salad for your next gathering!
"I absolutely love this recipe! My ex mother in law used to make it & I never got the recipe. Now, 20 yrs later, I've found it & make it for my own family. I think it's important to mention that the canned fruit needs to be very well drained as a little bit of juice kinda makes the salad messy. I like to add green grapes & walnuts to it too sometimes. Very yummy! Thank you! I'm so happy I finally found the recipe!!"
★★★★★- Adrianna
Ambrosia means, "Something something very pleasing to taste or smell." I remember as a child always seeing this colorful dish on the church potluck tables and being incredibly fascinated by the marshmallows and cherries.
I always placed a heaping scoopful on my plate and it was one of the first things I would dig into. Next, I would pick out the maraschino cherries, eat them first, then devour the rest. It was indeed pleasing to taste. I wasn't afraid to go back for seconds.
I also remember ambrosia fruit salad on the table of my grandmother's family barbecues. She sometimes made this or alternated with watergate salad I miss my grandmother terribly. Whenever I make this no-bake dessert, it makes me think of her, and brings back happy memories. Does this salad bring back memories for you? I would love to hear! Enjoy! Xoxo -Katie.
What is Ambrosia Fruit Salad Made Of?
To make this pretty ambrosia fruit salad, you will need the following ingredients.
- maraschino cherries
- mandarin oranges
- crushed pineapple- You can substitute with pineapple tidbits.
- sweetened coconut flakes
- toasted chopped pecans- The pecans give your salad a great crunch and texture. I do recommend using nuts, but if you do not want to use pecans, you can replace them with toasted walnuts, cashews, or almonds.
- mini marshmallows
- Cool Whip- You can substitute with homemade whipping cream.
- sour cream
How do you make it?
Ambrosia salad is super easy to make. Follow these steps:
- Toast the pecans.
- In a large mixing bowl mix, combine pecans, sour cream, cool whip, mandarin oranges, crushed pineapple, maraschino cherries, coconut flakes, and marshmallows.
You can serve immediately, but I like to chill mine at least an hour before serving.
Serving Tip
When making it, set aside a little of your coconut flakes and a few of your oranges and cherries. You can use them to garnish. It will make your ambrosia salad pretty!
If you liked this easy ambrosia salad recipe, please leave me a comment and tell me how it went. I would love to hear back, and so would my readers. xoxo!
Also post your picture of your ambrosia salad on Instagram or Facebook, and tag @aforkstale with #aforkstale hashtags! I will share with my followers! xoxo!
📖 Recipe
Ambrosia Fruit Salad- With Sour Cream and Cool Whip
Ingredients
- ¾ cup pecans chopped
- 8 ounces cool whip
- ½ cup sour cream
- 11 ounces mandarin oranges drained
- 20 ounces crushed pineapple drained
- 10 ounces maraschino cherries drained
- 1 cup sweetened coconut flakes
- 2 cups miniature marshmallows
Instructions
- Bake chopped pecans at 350 for 5 minutes. Allow the pecans to cool.¾ cup pecans
- In a large mixing bowl, combine pecans, cool whip, sour cream, mandarin oranges (drained), crushed pineapple (drained), maraschino cherries (drained), sweetened coconut flakes, and marshmallows.8 ounces cool whip, ½ cup sour cream, 11 ounces mandarin oranges, 20 ounces crushed pineapple , 10 ounces maraschino cherries, 1 cup sweetened coconut flakes, 2 cups miniature marshmallows
- You can serve immediately, but I like to chill mine at least an hour before serving.
Elaine C Urie says
Fabulous recipe, I did add grapes... mmmmm!! Will reuse this recipe...
Adrianna Centeno says
I absolutely love this recipe! My ex mother in law used to make it & I never got the recipe. Now, 20 yrs later, I've found it & make it for my own family. I think it's important to mention that the canned fruit needs to be very well drained as a little bit of juice kinda makes the salad messy. I like to add green grapes & walnuts to it too sometimes. Very yummy! Thank you! I'm so happy I finally found the recipe!!
Janet Baxley Hall says
This recipe includes cool whip and we love it! I think you will too.
ANNETTE PETERSON says
I've made this many times and it's very good. Fresh grapes are also a nice addition. I noticed in the ingredient list that you did not mention that the canned fruit must be DRAINED.
Rachel Shimon says
Hi,
I tried this at home yesterday and this turned out to so delicious.
This changed my perception of not having salads normally.
Thank you for this delicious recipe. I would like to see some more recipe related to salads and will share with others. keep sharing.