Easy Ambrosia Salad

This Ambrosia Salad recipe is an old family favorite. Sweet and refreshing, this side dish (or dessert) needs just a handful of ingredients.

What is Ambrosia Salad?

Ambrosia means ‘food of the gods’, and this version is a family favorite. While it’s called a salad, ambrosia salad is more like a light, creamy dessert that often makes an appearance as a side dish during the holidays. This version has pineapple, coconut, mandarin oranges, and mini marshmallows all folded together in a sweet, creamy base.

Flavor: Sweet, tangy, tropical, and creamy all in one spoonful!
Skill Level: So easy, also called 5 cup salad, it needs just five ingredients and 5 minutes of prep.
Swaps: Swap sour cream for Greek yogurt or change up the fruit to your liking.
Serving Suggestions: It’s potluck perfect since it’s best made ahead of time.

coconut , pineapple , oranges , sour cream , marshmallows with labels to make Ambrosia Salad

Ingredient Notes

Yogurt/Sour Cream: Our family has always used sour cream, which is sweetened by the marshmallows, for a creamy tang. Replace it with plain or vanilla Greek yogurt for a sweeter flavor.
Marshmallows: Use miniature marshmallows to add sweetness and fluff. Use fruit-flavored marshmallows to add extra color!
Fruit: My grandma always used coconut shreds, canned mandarin oranges, and pineapple chunks. Drain the fruit well to prevent the salad from becoming watery, and be gentle with the mandarin oranges to prevent them from breaking apart.

Variations

Add Fruit: Mix in chopped maraschino cherries, fresh bananas, grapes, kiwi, or strawberries. Or try swapping the pineapple for peaches.
Add Nuts: Stir in some chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans for crunch.

ingredients for ambrosia salad in a glass bowl

Mixed ingredients for ambrosia salad in a bowl

How to Make Ambrosia Salad

Combine all ingredients (full recipe below), folding in the mandarins last.
Chill for 4 hours or overnight before serving.

Drain the canned fruit well so the dish isn’t watery.
Be sure to make this salad ahead of time to blend the flavors and soften the marshmallows.
For a fluffier, sweeter version, replace half the sour cream with whipped topping.
Serve in a glass trifle bowl for a beautiful holiday presentation.

More Dessert Salads

Did your family love this Ambrosia Salad? Leave a rating and a comment below!

image of Everyday Comfort cookbook by Holly Nilsson of Spend With Pennies plus text

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 5 minutes

Chill Time 4 hours

Total Time 4 hours 10 minutes

In a large bowl, add sour cream, marshmallows, coconut, and pineapple tidbits. Stir until combined.
Gently fold in mandarin oranges.
Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight. Serve chilled.

Make ahead to allow the flavors to blend and to soften the marshmallows.
Be sure to drain all fruit well to prevent the dish from being watery.
Mandarin oranges are fragile and break easily, so gently fold them in last.
Greek, plain, or vanilla yogurt can serve as the base. I prefer sour cream, which is sweetened by the coconut and marshmallows.

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Dessert, Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine American

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