Dreamy 15-Minute Ambrosia Salad Recipe for Perfect Potlucks

Every summer growing up, my family’s backyard was filled with laughter, the smell of barbecue, and my Aunt Betty’s famous Ambrosia Salad sitting proudly on the potluck table. That creamy, sweet fruit salad with its fluffy marshmallows and coconut flakes was always the first dish to disappear! I remember sneaking extra spoonfuls when no one was looking – the combination of tangy citrus, juicy pineapple, and that dreamy sour cream dressing was irresistible. What I love most about Ambrosia Salad is how simple it is to make, yet how special it feels. It’s one of those nostalgic recipes that instantly transports me back to those sunny afternoons surrounded by family. After years of tweaking Aunt Betty’s original recipe (and eating way too many test batches), I’m sharing my perfected version that’s guaranteed to be the star of your next gathering.

Why You’ll Love This Ambrosia Salad

This Ambrosia Salad recipe is my go-to for a reason—it’s the perfect blend of easy and extraordinary! Here’s why it’ll become your new potluck hero:

• Quick prep: Just 15 minutes of chopping and stirring—no cooking required! Perfect for when you’re scrambling before a party.
• Magical flavors: The sweet-tart combo of pineapple, oranges, and cherries mixed with fluffy marshmallows creates pure nostalgia in every bite.
• Always a crowd-pleaser: I’ve brought this to EVERY gathering for years, and the bowl always comes home empty (usually with recipe requests!).
• Chameleon dish: Serve it as dessert, a sweet side, or even breakfast—I won’t judge! The flavors get better as it chills.

Seriously, this Ambrosia Salad disappears faster than you can say “seconds please!”—it’s that good.

Ambrosia Salad Ingredients

Here’s everything you’ll need to make the most dreamy Ambrosia Salad—I’m very particular about these ingredients because small details make all the difference in texture and flavor!

• 1 can (20 oz) pineapple chunks, well drained – I press mine in a colander to remove every drop of juice (save it for smoothies!) so the salad doesn’t get watery
• 1 can (15 oz) mandarin oranges, thoroughly drained – Those little segments should be patted dry with paper towels for best results
• 1 cup mini marshmallows – The tiny ones mix in perfectly, but regular marshmallows chopped small work too
• 1 cup shredded sweetened coconut – Makes that classic tropical flavor pop
• 1 cup full-fat sour cream – Trust me, the richness is worth it (though Greek yogurt works in a pinch)
• 1/2 cup maraschino cherries, drained and halved – I blot these with paper towels too—that syrup can turn everything pink!

Pro tip: Prep all your fruits first and let them dry on paper towels while you gather other ingredients. This little extra step keeps your Ambrosia Salad perfectly creamy instead of runny!

How to Make Ambrosia Salad

Making this dreamy Ambrosia Salad couldn’t be simpler—just follow these easy steps, and you’ll have everyone begging for the recipe! I’ve learned a few tricks over the years to keep the texture just right.

Mixing the Ingredients

First, grab your biggest mixing bowl—trust me, you’ll want plenty of room to work! Gently toss together the drained pineapple chunks and mandarin oranges. I like to use a rubber spatula and sort of “lift and turn” the fruits rather than stirring hard—this keeps those delicate orange segments from breaking apart. Then sprinkle in the mini marshmallows and give them just a few light turns to distribute evenly. Don’t worry if they stick together at first—they’ll separate as we add the other ingredients.

Adding Creaminess

Now for the magic! Spoon that glorious sour cream over the top in dollops. Here’s my secret: instead of stirring right away, let it sit for about 30 seconds to soften slightly. Then use your spatula to make wide, sweeping folds from the bottom up—like you’re gently turning pages in a book. This keeps everything light and airy. Keep folding until you see just a few streaks of white remaining—don’t overmix! The marshmallows will absorb some moisture as it chills, creating that perfect creamy texture we love.

Final Touches

Sprinkle the shredded coconut and halved cherries over the top. I like to fold these in with just 3-4 turns—you want pretty red cherry halves peeking through, not everything turning pink! Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap (press it right onto the surface to prevent drying) and refrigerate for at least 2 hours—but overnight is even better. The flavors meld beautifully, and those marshmallows get perfectly pillowy. Give it one last gentle stir before serving to redistribute any juices that may have settled.

See? Easy as can be! Just remember: the gentler you are, the prettier your Ambrosia Salad will be. Now try not to eat it all straight from the bowl—though I won’t blame you if you do!

Tips for the Best Ambrosia Salad

After making Ambrosia Salad more times than I can count (and taste-testing every single batch—tough job, right?), I’ve learned all the tricks to make it absolutely perfect. Here are my top tips:

Drain, drain, drain! I can’t stress this enough. Take extra time to pat those fruits dry—wet ingredients make your Ambrosia Salad go from creamy to soupy fast. I even let my drained pineapple sit in a colander for 10 extra minutes while prepping other ingredients.

The overnight advantage: While 2 hours of chilling works, letting your Ambrosia Salad rest overnight is game-changing. The flavors deepen, and the marshmallows transform into little clouds of happiness.

Creaminess swaps: If you’re out of sour cream, full-fat Greek yogurt works beautifully—just add an extra tablespoon or two since it’s thicker. For a tropical twist, try coconut cream instead!

Serving smarts: Always give your Ambrosia Salad one last gentle stir before serving to redistribute any juices. And keep extra coconut and cherries handy for topping—it makes for such a pretty presentation!

Ambrosia Salad Variations

While I adore the classic version, sometimes I get playful with my Ambrosia Salad—here are my favorite easy twists that keep the spirit of the original while adding fun new flavors:

• Crunchy upgrade: Toss in 1/2 cup toasted pecans or walnuts right before serving for delightful texture contrast
• Tropical vibes: Swap mandarin oranges for fresh mango chunks and add a handful of toasted coconut flakes on top
• Berry beautiful: Fold in fresh raspberries or blueberries along with the cherries for pops of color and tartness
• Creamy alternatives: Try half sour cream/half whipped cream for extra lightness, or use coconut yogurt for dairy-free

The best part? You can mix and match these ideas—last summer’s “everything but the kitchen sink” version with three kinds of nuts and mixed berries was legendary at our block party!

Serving and Storing Ambrosia Salad

Nothing beats scooping into a chilled bowl of Ambrosia Salad on a hot day—that first cool, creamy bite is pure bliss! I always serve mine straight from the fridge in my prettiest glass bowl to show off all those colorful fruits peeking through. If you’re taking it to a party, transport it in an airtight container with ice packs to keep it perfectly chilled. Leftovers? (As if there ever are any!) They’ll keep beautifully for 3-4 days in the fridge—just give it a quick stir before enjoying again. Pro tip: The marshmallows soften more each day, creating an almost fluffy pudding-like texture that’s dreamy!

Ambrosia Salad FAQs

Over the years, I’ve gotten so many great questions about my Ambrosia Salad recipe—here are the ones that come up most often at family gatherings and from readers:

Can I make Ambrosia Salad ahead of time?
Absolutely! In fact, I always do. Making it the night before lets all those flavors get happy together in the fridge. The marshmallows soften perfectly, and the coconut absorbs just enough creaminess. Just remember to give it a gentle stir before serving to wake up all those delicious flavors.

Can I use fresh fruit instead of canned?
You can, but here’s my two cents—I stick with canned because they’re consistently sweet and the texture holds up better. Fresh pineapple can be too tart sometimes, and fresh mandarins release more juice. If you do go fresh, pat the fruit extra dry and maybe cut back slightly on sour cream to compensate for extra moisture.

How long does Ambrosia Salad last in the fridge?
In my house? About 24 hours tops—it disappears that fast! But seriously, it keeps beautifully for 3-4 days covered tightly. The texture changes a bit as the marshmallows continue to soften, but I actually love the creamier version on day two.

Can I freeze Ambrosia Salad?
I don’t recommend it—the texture goes all wrong when thawed. The fruits get mushy and the creamy dressing separates. This is one of those make-it-fresh treats that’s worth the small effort!

Why does my salad get watery?
Nine times out of ten, it’s from not draining the fruits well enough. I’m obsessive about pressing pineapple in a strainer and patting oranges dry with paper towels. If you’re still getting juice, try adding an extra handful of coconut—it helps absorb excess liquid like a charm!

Nutritional Information

Now, I’m no nutritionist—I’m just a home cook who gets a little too excited about marshmallows and sour cream! But I know lots of folks like to have a general idea of what they’re eating. Keep in mind these numbers are rough estimates and can vary based on your specific ingredients (especially depending on which brand of coconut or sour cream you use).

What I can tell you is that Ambrosia Salad is meant to be an occasional treat—that magical combo of fruits, coconut, and creamy goodness isn’t exactly health food! But hey, life’s too short not to enjoy the sweet things sometimes, right? Just serve yourself a sensible portion (good luck stopping at just one spoonful though!) and balance it with some healthier choices throughout the day.

Remember, the joy and nostalgia this dish brings are just as important as the nutrition facts. Now go enjoy that bowl of happiness!

Share Your Ambrosia Salad Experience

Okay friends, now it’s your turn! I’ve shared all my best Ambrosia Salad secrets with you—but the real magic happens when you make it your own. Did you stick to the classic recipe or put your own spin on it? Maybe you added grandma’s secret ingredient or served it at a special celebration? I want to hear all about your Ambrosia adventures!

Leave a comment below telling me:

• What was your favorite part of making this recipe?
• Did anyone at your gathering go back for thirds? (Be honest—I know you did!)
• What fun variations or family twists did you try?

And if you snapped a photo of your beautiful bowl of Ambrosia Salad, I’d love to see it! Tag me on social media—I’ll be the one drooling over your creations. Your stories and tips might just inspire someone else to make their first batch of this nostalgic treat. After all, food tastes better when we share the joy, right?

P.S. If this recipe brought back sweet memories for you like it does for me, pass it along to someone special in your life. Some traditions are too good not to share!

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