If you’re looking for a simple, tasty dish to add to your next meal, ambrosia salad is a great choice. It’s a classic fruit salad made with sweet ingredients like mandarin oranges, pineapple, coconut, and marshmallows mixed in a creamy dressing. Ambrosia salad is easy to make, refreshing, and perfect for holidays or casual gatherings.
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This salad has been a favorite for generations because it combines sweet, juicy fruit with soft marshmallows and a smooth, creamy texture. You don’t need fancy ingredients or a lot of time to whip one up, making it a handy recipe to keep on hand for potlucks, BBQs, or family dinners.
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You’ll love how versatile ambrosia salad is, too. You can customize it with nuts, different fruits, or a few extra touches to suit your taste and occasion. It’s a simple way to add a little sweetness and nostalgia to your table.
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Classic Ambrosia Salad Recipe
You’ll use a few simple ingredients like canned fruit, marshmallows, and a creamy dressing to make this salad. The key is combining these flavors and textures just right. The following parts will guide you through picking ingredients, preparing the salad, and making sure it feels light and fluffy.
Classic Ambrosia Salad
Ingredients:
- 1 cup sour cream or whipped topping (like Cool Whip)
- ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
- 1 cup mini marshmallows
- 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
- 15-ounce can mandarin oranges, drained
- 1 (20-ounce) can pineapple chunks, drained
- 1 cup maraschino cherries, drained and halved
Instructions:
In a large bowl, gently fold together the sour cream (or whipped topping) and mini marshmallows. Add the coconut, mandarin oranges, pineapple chunks, and cherries.
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Stir carefully until everything is evenly coated. If using, mix in the chopped nuts. Cover and refrigerate for at least an hour before serving to let the flavors blend.
Tips for the Perfect Texture
Use well-drained fruit to keep your salad from getting runny. If you want more creaminess, you can swap sour cream with whipped topping or a mix of both.
Don’t overmix. Stir gently to keep the marshmallows and coconut fluffy.
Chilling the salad gives it better flavor and helps it firm up.
If you like a bit of crunch, add nuts just before serving so they don’t get soft.
This balance of soft fruit, chewy marshmallows, and creamy dressing makes ambrosia salad a favorite.
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Creative Ambrosia Salad Variations
You can change up classic ambrosia salad by swapping ingredients or trying new ways to serve it. These ideas help keep the salad fresh and fun, whether you want a different flavor or need to fit an occasion.
Modern Ingredient Swaps
Try using diced mango or kiwi instead of mandarin oranges for a tropical twist. Adding mini chocolate chips or chopped chocolate bars gives the salad a richer taste if you like sweets.
For the creamy base, you can replace sour cream or Cool Whip with Greek yogurt to add some tang and protein. Using toasted pecans or walnuts adds a nice crunch instead of the usual coconut.
If you want to keep it light, skip marshmallows or use fresh fruit like berries. These swaps let you adjust the salad to your taste or diet without losing the classic feel.
Serving Ideas
Ambrosia salad works well as a dessert or a side dish. You can serve it in small cups for easy party snacks or in a large bowl for family meals.
Try topping the salad with extra shredded coconut or a sprinkle of cinnamon for a hint of spice. Serving chilled is best to keep the texture fresh and creamy.
For a special touch, layer the salad with graham cracker crumbs or crushed cookies. This adds texture and makes it more like a parfait.
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