Beautiful and delicious ambrosia salad is refreshing and creamy and makes the perfect after dinner treat! It’s a popular potluck and holiday dish and is favored by both kids and adults. Growing up, my grandmother made the creamiest and tastiest ambrosia salad for Thanksgiving and Christmas. I have many childhood memories eating her mouthwatering ambrosia salad in her Anaheim, California home. I always remember loving the marshmallows the most out of the whole salad! If you like this, then you’ll love my Watergate Salad, Creamy Grape Salad and Watermelon Feta Salad.
What is Ambrosia Salad?
Ambrosia salad, according to Greek mythology, was a food of the Olympian gods and it was believed that anyone who ate it shall have immortal life. According to Greek Boston’s article, ambrosia is what the gods and goddesses often ate, particularly those who lived on Mount Olympus. Ambrosia was reported to taste sweet, like honey, and anyone who ate it was granted strength and eternal life.
Ambrosia salad is refreshing in the summertime and is the perfect dish to bring to a potluck, a Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner, or a family gathering! You can eat it for dessert after dinner during the week for a refreshing and sweet treat.
Where did Ambrosia Salad come from?
It’s a Southern recipe, actually! Although typically served as a cold side dish at a Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner, I grew up with my grandmother making it all the time. There are many variations of this recipe and the traditional Southern recipe calls for:
- Pineapples (canned; crushed or tidbits)
- Mandarin oranges (canned)
- Miniature marshmallows (use rainbow mini marshmallows to get the kids excited!)
- Sweetened shredded coconut
Today’s versions typically include cool whip or whipped cream, cream cheese, apples, berries, Maraschino cherries, and shredded coconut. There’s nothing more satisfying after eating dinner than a big bowl of ambrosia salad to satisfy that sweet tooth!
How do I keep my ambrosia salad from browning?
It’s no secret that a little bit of your canned pineapple juice added to the ambrosia salad will prevent your salad from turning brown. Instead of pineapple juice, you can add lemon or lime juice to keep the colors vibrant.
How to make the best Ambrosia Salad
STEP 1: Add the crushed pineapple, chunky mixed fruit, marshmallows, cream cheese, and Cool Whip to a large mixing bowl, and mix well. If you’re adding Maraschino cherries, make sure to add them after you have refrigerated the fruit salad.
Tip: if adding Maraschino cherries, make sure to blot them dry on paper towels so that they don’t turn the salad red.
STEP 2: Refrigerate the ambrosia salad for at least 4 hours, preferable overnight. The marshmallows, cream cheese, and Cool Whip need time to absorb the fruit juices and the longer you allow this to happen, the tastier your salad will be. When you’re ready to serve, garnish with optional toppings.
More recipes you’ll want to make!
Authentic Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
Final Thoughts
Finally, if you make this Ambrosia Salad, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! I love to hear from everyone who makes this recipe and always try my best to respond to all comments.
If you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag #elisemccollister on Instagram! It makes me so happy to see your recipe photos!
Ambrosia Salad (Fruit Salad)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 20 oz. crushed pineapple cans drained
- 3 15 oz. chunky mixed fruit cans can also use fruit cocktail, drained
- 10 oz. mini marshmallows rainbow work best although you can also use white
- 8 oz. cream cheese softened
- 8 oz. Cool Whip thawed
Instructions
- Add the crushed pineapple, chunky mixed fruit, marshmallows, cream cheese, and Cool Whip to a large mixing bowl and mix well. If you’re adding Maraschino cherries, make sure to add them after you have refrigerated the fruit salad.
- Refrigerate the ambrosia salad for at least 4 hours, preferable overnight. The marshmallows, cream cheese, and Cool Whip need time to absorb the fruit juices and the longer you allow this to happen, the tastier your salad will be. When you’re ready to serve, garnish with optional toppings.
Nutrition (per serving)
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