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Ambrosia Salad is a creamy fruit salad loaded with pineapple, mandarin oranges, coconut and miniature fruit-flavored marshmallows.
You guys, December is seriously flying by. My to-do list is a mile long and just seems to keep increasing.
But for some reason, I’m really not that stressed out about the holidays.
Maybe because 30 people won’t be crammed in our house and there aren’t any games to plan or menus to coordinate. While I have all the feelings about Christmas 2020, it’s sort of refreshing not to feel the stress creeping in.
But that’s pretty much how I’m feeling in the moment. Ask me again in a few days and I’ll probably be all kinds of sad eating Oreos dipped in peanut butter, or hopped on cold brew wrapping gifts at midnight. Who really knows?
One thing I do know is that this simple Ambrosia Salad is one of my fave dishes during the holidays and it’s still happening even if our typical Christmas dinner is not.
Also, don’t @ me about this not being a salad. I get it. There’s no lettuce, but there’s a bunch of stuff tossed together in a bowl and that’s salad enough for me.
WHAT IS AMBROSIA SALAD?
Today’s recipe for Ambrosia Salad is a bit of a throwback.
I fondly remember my Nana making Ambrosia for pretty much every church function.
There are lots of different variations of Ambrosia and it seems like every grandmother had her own version. I’ve seen versions of this recipe that use cottage cheese, some that use sour cream or vanilla pudding, some leave out the nuts.
But all of the versions seem to include citrus fruit, coconut, and a creamy and tangy base.
Some could argue that this “salad” is really more of a dessert. But like my Cranberry Fluff, I am happy to eat this alongside some savory side dishes any day!
WHAT’S IN MY VERSION OF THIS CLASSIC RECIPE?
Even though we have my Nana’s recipes for Pumpkin Roll and Pumpkin Crunch Cake, my family has long since lost her exact Ambrosia Salad recipe.
Naturally, I had to get to the bottom of this. So I decided to start tossing ingredients into a bowl until the salad tasted similar to Nana’s.
And with a little tweaking, I most definitely succeeded!
My version includes:
- Frozen whipped topping
- Vanilla yogurt
- Shredded sweetened coconut
- Canned mandarin oranges
- Pineapple tidbits or crushed pineapple
- Maraschino cherries
- Chopped pecans
- Mini fruit-flavored marshmallows
While you could totally use mini white marshmallows, I really like the added color and flavor that the fruit-flavored marshmallows add to the recipe.
You could also try making this with homemade Cool Whip, but I don’t know for sure how well it would work. If you try it, I’d love to hear about it!
HOW TO MAKE MY EASY AMBROSIA
This is one of those recipes that’s so easy, anyone could make it!
Start by stirring together the thawed whipped topping and the vanilla yogurt.
Using a spatula, carefully fold all of the remaining ingredients into the yogurt mixture. Do this gently so that you don’t break up the fruit or smash the marshmallows too much.
Let the salad chill in the refrigerator for several hours before serving and you’re done!
Since this needs to chill before serving, it’s a great recipe to make ahead. I would say you could make it as early as the night before you plan to serve it.
If you’re feeling fancy, garnish the bowl with some additional maraschino cherries. Or just dig in with a spoon. I won’t blame you either way!
Ambrosia Salad
Equipment
Ingredients
- 8 ounces frozen whipped topping thawed
- ½ cup vanilla yogurt
- 1 cup shredded sweetened coconut
- 11 ounces canned mandarin oranges drained
- 8 ounces canned pineapple tidbits or crushed pineapple drained
- 1 cup maraschino cherries drained
- ½ cup chopped pecans optional
- 1 ½ cups mini fruit-flavored marshmallows
Instructions
- In a large bowl, stir together the whipped topping and yogurt.
- Using a rubber spatula, carefully fold remaining ingredients into whipped topping.
- Chill before serving.
Video
Notes
- If you are not a fan of mainstream frozen whipped topping, you can find all-natural alternatives at Whole Foods or try using stabilized whipped cream.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Thank you for the ambrosia recipe. I have made it before, but couldn’t find the recipe.
Hello Jamie,
I haven’t made Ambrosia Salad in decades! Please let me explain why: my husband won’t eat pineapple (in any form) or any kind of nuts (he’s not allergic-just doesn’t like their taste) and I cannot eat any form of yogurt (due to the enzymes affecting a gastro-intestinal problem). Unless we entertain I rarely make, cook or bake any dishes my OG doesn’t like/won’t eat because it’s just too much for me to eat even reducing recipes by half. But seeing your recipe reminded me of just how much I love and miss eating Ambrosia. Your Nana’s recipe sounds perfectly delicious – except for the yogurt. Would you kindly recommend a substitute, possibly sour cream, as a yogurt substitute? I’m thinking of making your Ambrosia salad as a dessert treat – just for myself, or a dish to bring to a potluck meal.
Thank you, in advance, for your answering my question. Hope you have a great day!
Barb
You can definitely sub in sour cream! Let me know your thoughts after you make it!
-Jamie
My daughter and I made this. It was delicious
I am so happy to hear you enjoy this recipe! Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving your feedback!
-Jamie
Absolutely delicious and very easy to make. I’ve made ambrosia as a young mother, but with only the whipped topping. Adding the vanilla yogurt gave this recipe a nice change of flavor.
I am so happy to hear you enjoy this recipe! Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving your feedback!
-Jamie
Making this for the first time with Vanilla yogurt, for bosses day. I crushed Walnuts to be added as an alternative to pecans, and leaving out the cherries to be added as a topping when serving. Should turn out pretty good for tomorrow.
Thank you for posting
I remember…my mom and nana made this without yogurt but with sour cream and cool whip n with white min.marshmellows but I might try the colored ones…thank you very much
I hope you enjoy! Thanks for stopping by and commenting. Happy baking!
Jamie
I made this ambrosia for Easter and my family loved it, especially my husband! I liked the cool whip and vanilla yogurt dressing. It made it especially good!
So glad you enjoyed, Debbie! Thanks for sharing your feedback! Happy baking –
Jamie
Taking this to Church for potluck! It’s always the right time for Ambrosia Salad
Hope everyone enjoys! Happy baking!
Jamie
Absolutely love this dish. Make it for family dinners when kids come over. Thank you!!
I’m so glad you love it, Kari! Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your feedback. Happy baking!
Jamie
my dad had this as a dessert as a kid
Thanks for stopping by and commenting, William! Happy baking –
Jamie