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    Home » Recipes » Salads

    Ambrosia Salad

    Published: Dec 17, 2021 · Modified: Aug 16, 2024 by Libby Hakim · Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Ambrosia Salad is the old-fashioned fruit salad that takes its name from Greek mythology. Ambrosia is the food and drink of the Greek Gods, and this exceptional little salad is deserving of its name.

    ambrosia salad with cherries on top.
    Jump to:
    • A dessert worth remembering
    • Who came up with this magic?
    • Ingredient notes
    • How to make Ambrosia Salad
    • Substitutions and variation ideas
    • Ambrosia Salad FAQs
    • Want more festive recipes?
    • Ambrosia Salad

    A dessert worth remembering

    Its vibrant colours, luscious fruits, and creamy texture has made it a timeless dessert that evokes fond memories of family gatherings and celebrations.

    Best of all, it's super simple to put together and can be made in advance. In fact, it's even more delicious the next day.

    Who came up with this magic?

    Ambrosia Salad, sometimes called Ambrosia Fruit Salad of Creamy Fruit Salad, is considered a Christmas tradition in the United States, particularly in the South, where it first started appearing in cookbooks in the late 1800s.

    It may have taken a few decades, but the good news eventually spread to Australia, with the recipe appearing in Australian newspapers from the early 1900s.

    Recipe clippings from Trove.

    For me, the best Ambrosia Salad is the one my Nan Mac made when I was very young and then popped up now and again at parties throughout my childhood.

    When I decided to add it to the recipe collection here, I hadn't seen it for a while – but I have never forgotten the joy of Ambrosia Salad.

    Ingredient notes

    There are many versions of this recipe, however common ingredients include pineapple, coconut and marshmallows. And there's usually another fruit in there somewhere.

    The dressing is generally a creamy one, but again there are a variety of things used to make the dressing.

    ambrosia salad ingredients.

    This recipe uses many of the usual ingredients and one ingredient that I found in recipes from the 1930s: maraschino cherries. Ambrosia Salad has always been served at special events, and the cherries add that little extra that makes the salad seem so festive. They add the wow factor to something that is already amazing.

    Can you use glace cherries instead? Well, technically you could. However, maraschino cherries are quite distinct and just so wonderful. I recommend sticking with the maraschino cherries. Find them in the cocktail section of liqueur stores or specialty stores.

    I also use a whole orange in this recipe, as the citrus gives the salad a lovely lift.

    The cream dressing I've chosen is just light sour cream. I think this balances out the flavours a lot better than a sweeter cream.

    Ingredient quantities can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.

    How to make Ambrosia Salad

    You can literally put this Easy Ambrosia Salad together in 10 minutes.

    TIP: It's best made up at least a few hours and up to a day before serving to allow the flavours to mingle and develop.

    Start by chopping up the orange (removing all skin, pith and seeds first). Halve the marshmallows (unless you're using mini marshmallows).

    Drain the pineapple and cherries. Also take the stems off the cherries (apart from a few that you'll reserve for decorating).

    Place all ingredients into a bowl and mix until combined.

    Chill and decorate with cherries before serving.

    Remember, this salad tastes even better the next day, so make it in advance if it suits the occasion.

    Substitutions and variation ideas

    Another of the many beauties of Ambrosia Salad is its versatility. It's so easy to put your own stamp on this classic dessert.

    Here are a few popular additions you can consider:

    • Nuts: add pecans, walnuts or almonds for a satisfying crunch
    • Substitute orange for other seasonal fruits such as strawberries, grapes or mango pieces.
    • Add some citrus zest to the sour cream for added tang
    • Substitute part or all of the sour cream for whipped cream or cool whip.

    Make it festive

    Ambrosia Salad is particularly popular at Christmas and on other celebratory occasions. Here, I've scooped the salad into individual cups and decorated each with a cherry.

    TIP: Set aside about six cherries instead of three if making up as individual desserts as you'll have enough salad for six generous servings.

    Ambrosia Salad FAQs

    How long will Ambrosia Salad keep?

    The salad lasts a few days in the fridge. Keep it in an airtight container.

    Can I make it up in advance?

    You sure can. Make it up a day before so the flavours can develop.

    Can I substitute the ingredients?

    You can, this is just my preferred version of the salad. There are variation ideas above and you can also find newspaper clippings above in the post for even more variation ideas.

    Want more festive recipes?

    You can also browse the entire Christmas Recipe collection here or check out these favourites:

    • Meringue kisses piled high in glass dish.
      Meringue Kisses
    • choc berry cups.
      Chocolate Berry Cups
    • nuts and bolts in a bowl.
      Nuts and Bolts Recipe
    • broken glass jelly.
      Broken Glass Jelly

    Made this recipe and love it? Please take a moment to rate the recipe and leave a comment below. It’s such a help to others who want to try the recipe. (And it really makes my day to hear how Nana Ling's recipes are being made, shared and loved all around the world! - Libby x)

    For more fun and deliciousness in the kitchen, follow along on Facebook, TikTok and Pinterest, and subscribe for new posts via email.

    ambrosia salad in bowl.

    Ambrosia Salad

    Libby Hakim
    The ultimate festive treat: old-fashioned Ambrosia Salad.
    5 from 1 vote
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    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Total Time 10 minutes mins
    Course Dessert, Salad
    Cuisine American, Australian
    Servings 12 servings
    Calories 162 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 large orange
    • 440 grams canned pineapple pieces
    • 100 grams marshmallows
    • 1 cup coconut flakes or shredded coconut (unsweetened)
    • 225 grams maraschino cherries
    • 250 grams light sour cream

    Instructions
     

    • Peel orange and remove pith and seeds. Chop into small pieces.
    • Drain pineapple pieces and cherries.
    • Chop marshmallows in half.
    • Remove stems from all cherries except a few (for decorating).
    • Add orange pieces, pineapple pieces, marshmallows, coconut flakes and cherries (apart from few with stems) and sour cream in a large bowl. Stir well to combine.
    • Chill before serving and decorate with remaining maraschino cherries.

    Notes

    If serving in six individual portions, set aside six cherries to decorate each cup of salad.
    This salad tastes even better the next day!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 162kcalCarbohydrates: 25gProtein: 2gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.2gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 7mgSodium: 28mgPotassium: 160mgFiber: 3gSugar: 19gVitamin A: 130IUVitamin C: 12mgCalcium: 54mgIron: 0.5mg
    Tried this recipe?If you love it, let me know!

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    Hi, I'm Libby, a recipe collector and writer. I love everything about home cooking and share modern classics and recipes that have been passed down for generations – I hope you find a few that bring back treasured memories.

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