Grandma's Old Fashioned Ambrosia Salad

My old fashioned ambrosia salad is the creamy holiday fruit salad I grew up with: pineapple, mandarin oranges, coconut and mini marshmallows folded into a light mix of Cool Whip and sour cream. It's exactly the way Grandma made it, with no Jello, pudding or cream cheese. It takes about 10 minutes to stir together, and it's even better made the night before.

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My Grandma's Holiday Fluff Salads

Every holiday growing up, my grandma had some sort of fluff salad or Cool Whip salad on the table. Most often it was ambrosia salad, a Jello pretzel salad or a cranberry fluff salad, and it was always my favorite dish.

Decades later, I'm the one who gets assigned these same family recipes for holiday parties, right alongside all the classic Thanksgiving side dishes. This ambrosia is the one I make most.

What to Know About Old Fashioned Ambrosia Salad

• No Jello, pudding or cream cheese - just Cool Whip and sour cream, the old-fashioned way. The sour cream adds a little tang so it isn't too sweet.
• No cooking - it takes about 10 minutes to stir together.
• Chill before serving - at least 2 hours, or overnight, so the flavors blend and the marshmallows soften.
• Serves about 8 as a side dish or a light dessert.
• Perfect for the holidays - it's a classic for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter and potlucks.

Ingredients for Ambrosia Salad with Cool Whip

• Cool Whip - thaw it in the fridge first so it stirs in smoothly. Real whipped cream works too, but it won't hold up as long.
• Sour cream - use full-fat for the creamiest dressing. Plain Greek yogurt works if that's what you have.
• Pineapple tidbits - small, bite-size pieces. Pineapple chunks work too if you cut them smaller.
• Mandarin oranges - canned and well drained. They're delicate, so they go in gently at the end.
• Mini marshmallows - white is classic, but colored mini marshmallows make it fun for kids.
• Sweetened shredded coconut - gives it that classic chewy texture.
• Maraschino cherries - halved, plus a few extra on top for that retro look. They're optional.

Full amounts are in the recipe card below.

How to Make Old Fashioned Ambrosia Salad

Step 1: Drain the fruit

Drain the pineapple and mandarin oranges really well, then pat them dry with a paper towel. Halve the cherries and pat them dry too, so their juice doesn't turn the salad pink.

Step 2: Mix the creamy dressing

In a large bowl, stir the Cool Whip and sour cream together until smooth.

Step 3: Fold everything in

Gently fold in the pineapple, mandarin oranges, marshmallows, coconut and cherries until everything is coated. Go slowly so the mandarin oranges stay whole.

Step 4: Chill and serve

Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight. Top with a few extra cherries right before serving.

Grandma's Tips for the Best Ambrosia Salad

• Drain, then pat dry. Extra juice from the fruit is the number one reason ambrosia turns watery.
• Make it the night before. The marshmallows soften and the flavors come together.
• Fold, don't stir. A gentle hand keeps the mandarin oranges from breaking apart.
• Add the garnish last. Extra cherries look best when they go on right before serving.

How to Make Ahead and Store Ambrosia Salad

• Make ahead: Make it up to 1 day ahead. Cover it and keep it in the fridge.
• Leftovers: Keep them covered in the fridge and enjoy within 2 to 3 days. It gets softer and a little watery the longer it sits.
• Freezing: I don't recommend it. The creamy dressing separates and gets watery once it's thawed.

Modern Updates

• Add nuts - fold in ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts for crunch.
• Lighten it up - swap the sour cream for plain Greek yogurt.
• Add fresh fruit - grapes, sliced bananas or strawberries are good additions. Add bananas and berries right before serving so they don't get mushy.
• Make it extra fluffy - skip the sour cream and use all Cool Whip for a sweeter, fluffier salad.

What to Serve With Ambrosia Salad

Ambrosia salad is a holiday side dish in my family, so I serve it right alongside the big dinner. It's perfect next to a roast turkey, a pan of old-fashioned stuffing and a sweet potato casserole. For a potluck, it pairs well with a crunchy broccoli salad.

FAQs

What's the difference between ambrosia salad and Watergate salad?

My Watergate salad is made with pistachio pudding mix, which gives it its green color. Ambrosia salad has no pudding. It's a creamy mix of fruit, coconut and marshmallows in Cool Whip and sour cream.

Why is it called ambrosia salad?

In Greek mythology, ambrosia was the food of the gods. The name stuck to this sweet, creamy fruit salad, which became a holiday favorite in American kitchens.

Is ambrosia salad a side dish or a dessert?

It's both. In many families, including mine, it's served as a side dish at holiday dinners, but it's sweet enough to count as a light dessert too.

More Vintage Fluff and Holiday Recipes

• Old-Fashioned Strawberry Fluff Salad
• Easy Cranberry Millionaire Salad
• Vintage Dream Whip Desserts
• Vintage Gelatin Mold Recipes
• Classic Trifle and Layered Desserts