Sarah’s Ambrosia Fruit Salad

  4.8 – 53 reviews  

My family has used this recipe for a very long time. Everybody enjoys it when we cook it for family gatherings over the holidays. It’s a wonderful, cooling fruit salad for any occasion, especially during the summer and on hot days.

Prep Time: 15 mins
Additional Time: 2 hrs
Total Time: 2 hrs 15 mins
Servings: 10
Yield: 10 servings

Ingredients

  1. 3 (20 ounce) cans pineapple tidbits, drained
  2. 4 (15 ounce) cans mandarin oranges, drained
  3. 1 (16 ounce) container sour cream
  4. 1 (10.5 ounce) package miniature marshmallows
  5. ¾ cup shredded coconut, or to taste

Instructions

  1. Mix pineapple, oranges, sour cream, marshmallows, and coconut together in a bowl. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate until flavors blend, 2 hours to overnight.
  2. You CAN serve the salad immediately, but I recommend letting it set in the fridge for a few hours as it lets the flavors combine and taste even better. You can make this recipe healthier by using fresh fruit and low or reduced-fat sour cream (which we do), but I do not recommend omitting the marshmallows unless you have your own substitution that can pick up the texture. For more flavor you can add a dash of cinnamon or nutmeg to taste.

Nutrition Facts

Calories 393 kcal
Carbohydrate 72 g
Cholesterol 20 mg
Dietary Fiber 3 g
Protein 3 g
Saturated Fat 7 g
Sodium 87 mg
Sugars 59 g
Fat 11 g
Unsaturated Fat 0 g

Reviews

Robert Miller
Loved it, perfect.
Jacqueline Washington DVM
I made it and used blueberries, cut up fresh pineapple, fresh halved mandarin oranges (and juice of one), along with some bagged sweetened coconut and miniature marshmallows and sour cream. I didn’t measure anything, and it turned out great.
Elizabeth Cox
I also added maraschino cherry halves.
Jenna Crosby
It was easy and so delicious! Every time I make this my guests love it! It’s a Win Win!
Jerry Jackson
My mother used to make this quick & easy dessert whenI was a child. I have looking for the recipe for years! Taste just like my mother’s. Thank you to who ever submitted it!
Donald Martinez
An excellent, kid-friendly dessert that you can prepare a day in advance for large social events. Very easy to throw together with ingredients in the pantry. However, it makes *a lot*. Definitely halve the servings for a reasonable amount of food, otherwise the ambrosia amounts are exceptional.
Matthew Hardy
It was ok, Think I’ll look for a different recipe.
William Ramirez
This salad was a big hit with my girls throughout their childhood years, prepared for them by their beloved Grandma Eileen. since the salad was always an easy one for her to make, it was one we saw at most family get togethers. Don’t skip the coconut, it lends a bit of a chewy texture, varying textures being the main component of this salad. I’ve made it with fresh blueberries, dried cranberries instead of coconut, using the light sour cream gives the salad a slimmer calorie count but whatever you do, don’t (ever) skip the mini marshmallows!
Kevin Anderson
I’ve been making this salad since I was a teenager. Almost 60 now My mom passed it down to her children. Her recipe only differs by using crushed pineapple in heavy syrup vs pineapple tidbits . My siblings and I love it still!!!
Chad Dyer
It was very light and flavourful. I added about 1/2 cup of maraschino cherries cut in half for taste and color.
Steven Jones
I add one can of fruit cocktail and a large jar of maraschino cherries, both drained.
Danny Lutz
I was skeptical about sour cream in a fruit salad but the sweetness of the fruit counter balances it perfectly and it tasted delicious. I substituted maraschino cherries for the coconut though and it was a welcome addition.
Jennifer Jimenez
Exactly what I was looking for in a classic ambrosia salad! Family loved it for Christmas. I drained my fruit overnight and it was the perfect consistency.
Jonathon Mcmahon DDS
Good pie. First time I’ve made homemade pumpkin pie. I added extra on all the spices and included Allspice on my second attempt. Husband gave it a thumbs up. Thanks!
Calvin Collins
This is the retro recipe my sister had from the 60’s. I sometimes add grapes to it also.
Jean Cortez
My family loves this salad. I’ve been making it for years. I even make extra to send home with my son who is grown now. I follow this recipe, but I add 1/2 -1 cup of pecans. It gives it a little crunch and boosts the flavor.
Jessica Diaz
Super easy and delicious!
Jillian Fisher
I make this every year for Thanksgiving and I believe the sour cream makes it! you would think it would be too heavy, but the fruit really lightens it up.
Travis Wilson
no changes. yes again
Andrew Roberson
I made this dish at Easter and everyone loved it!
Katherine Smith
I’ve made this many times. It’s a big hit at pot lucks on the beach or a friend’s boat. We cruise full time and availability of ingredients can be a challenge. I’ve used the large marshmallows and quartered them, and I’ve also used plain yogurt if I don’t have enough sour cream (although it’s easy to make your own with milk and/or lemon juice or white vinegar, in a pinch). Delicious! I was looking for a recipe similar to the one my mom used to make, and this is it! Sometimes I add grated coconut as well.

 

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