It should come as no shock to you that kids find it amazing and hilarious. (Marshmallows in salad?! What!?) But, adults love it too. After some light joke-making at the expense of the ambrosia bowl, they will dig in, and leftovers will be sparse.
What Is Ambrosia Salad?
Ambrosia salad can be many things, but it’s essentially a fruit salad with whipped cream as a “dressing” to hold the ingredients together. There are many versions out there, but this version is my personal favorite. It includes some canned and fresh fruit, and some crunchy elements (slivered almonds) for texture.
What’s in Ambrosia Salad?
Ambrosia salad must, in my opinion, have two things:
First, canned fruit. Normally this is canned pineapple and mandarin oranges, but you could experiment here.Second, whipped cream, usually cut with some sour cream for tanginess.
Whipped cream is pretty easy to make, but if you want to see a step-by-step guide, check out: How to Make Whipped Cream for additional tips and tricks to make perfect whipped cream every time. Beyond that, it is kind of dealer’s choice. Marshmallows are a fun addition that add some lightness and cheerful colors to the salad. I like to use the pastel mini marshmallows in my version. I also like to add toasted coconut, almonds, fresh apples, and maraschino cherries, but you could leave any of these out and still be in great shape!
Dairy-Free Ambrosia Salad
Dairy-free? No problem! Skip the sour cream and make Coconut Whipped Cream instead! Just fold it with the fruit in place of the dairy cream.
What Kinds of Fruit Are Used in Ambrosia Salad?
Mandarin oranges and pineapple are nice choices for canned fruits, but you could use fruit cocktail if you wanted. I like to add in some fresh fruit to my salad, although I’m not sure if that is traditional. A peeled and chopped apple adds a nice crunch to the salad.
Can You Make Ambrosia Salad in Advance?
Ambrosia salad doesn’t have a great shelf life. If you think about it, it’s fruit and whipped cream. Make it a few hours before you plan to serve it. But I wouldn’t make it the night before, especially if you’re planning to serve it for a special meal (like Easter). Once it spends the night in the fridge, the fruit is lackluster, and the whipped cream starts to break down. If you end up with leftovers, I like to eat mine within two days. It might be good up to three days, if you’re lucky, but two is where I usually leave it. I would not serve it for a party after a day in the fridge, but it’s fine for snacking!
More Classic Salad Recipes
Waldorf Salad Banana Berry Terrine Grandma’s Pineapple Cucumber Lime Jello Salad Grandma’s Sunshine Salad Strawberry Rhubarb Terrine
1 cup heavy whipping cream 1/4 cup sour cream 2 tablespoons sugar
This is an optional step, but it adds a flavor boost to the coconut. Then, add the sour cream and sugar, and continue to whip until the mixture is still silky but holds firm peaks. Do not overwhip.
