Ambrosia Salad Recipe: Citrus, Coconut & Marshmallows

An easy dessert salad filled with mandarin oranges, crushed pineapple, and sweet maraschino cherries, in a creamy marshmallow sauce.

Aerial photo of a bowl of ambrosia salad with a serving spoon in it.

If you’re anything like me, this traditional ambrosia salad immediately brings to mind potlucks, holiday dinners, family reunions and the comforting flavors of childhood. It’s a simple, nostalgic dish that’s easy to prepare and even easier to enjoy.

This recipe relies on canned and ready-to-use ingredients, so it comes together in minutes. It needs to chill in the refrigerator for several hours to let the flavors meld and the marshmallows soften, making it ideal to prepare ahead. Best of all, it’s a no-bake dessert, so it saves oven time during busy holiday cooking.

What makes this the BEST Recipe for Ambrosia Salad

I’ve made this ambrosia dozens of times—it’s my mother-in-law’s recipe and one I’ve adopted into my regular rotation. The combination of sweet canned fruit, creamy sour cream, and marshmallows that soften in the juice creates a delightful blend of textures and flavors: sweet, slightly crunchy, and very satisfying.

Ambrosia Salad Ingredients

The ingredient list is short and straightforward—most items come from a can for quick assembly.

Aerial photo of ingredients for ambrosia salad labeled with text overlay to identify each ingredient.

You will need:
• mandarin oranges
• crushed pineapple
• maraschino cherries
• sour cream
• mini marshmallows

How to make Ambrosia – Recipe Steps

Making ambrosia salad is very simple: combine, stir, and chill. The resting time is essential for the best texture and flavor.

STEP #1

Place all of the fruit and the sour cream into a large bowl, then stir gently to combine.

Aerial photo of canned pineapple, mandarin oranges, maraschino cherries, and sour cream in a bowl to make ambrosia salad.

STEP #2

Add the mini marshmallows and stir until they are evenly distributed throughout the mixture.

Aerial photo of ingredients for ambrosia salad in a bowl with marshmallows on top ready to be stirred in.

Aerial photo of a bowl of ambrosia salad with a spatula in it.

STEP #3

Cover the bowl and chill in the refrigerator for at least 8 hours to allow the marshmallows to soften and the flavors to blend. Stir gently before serving.

A bowl of ambrosia salad with a yellow kitchen linen in the background.

Letting the marshmallows soak transforms their texture and helps distribute sweetness evenly without adding any extra sugar. That soaking creates a creamy mouthfeel that sets ambrosia apart from other fruit salads.

Ambrosia Recipe variations

ADD NUTS: Fold in about 1 cup of coarsely chopped nuts such as walnuts or pistachios for crunch. Toast them lightly for extra flavor.

SWAP OUT OTHER FRUIT: If you prefer different fruit, substitute or add options like diced apples, grapes, or sliced bananas. Keep the total fruit quantity similar for balanced texture.

ADD COCONUT: Traditional ambrosia often includes sweetened shredded coconut. Stir in 1 cup when adding the marshmallows for a classic variation.

USE GREEK YOGURT INSTEAD: For a lighter version, substitute plain or vanilla Greek yogurt (or regular yogurt) for the sour cream. The result is tangier but still delicious.

Serving this Classic Ambrosia Salad Recipe

Once chilled and rested for at least 8 hours, ambrosia is ready to serve. It’s best served cold and makes a sweet dessert, though some people also serve it as a side dish alongside savory items.

A small brown wooden bowl filled with ambrosia salad and a spoon.

HOW LONG DOES AMBROSIA DESSERT LAST IN THE REFRIGERATOR?

Ambrosia is best eaten within 5 days. The fruit and softened marshmallows continue to release liquid over time, so freshness is key for the best texture.

CAN YOU FREEZE AMBROSIA SALAD?

Freezing is possible but not recommended if you want to preserve the original texture. Thawed marshmallows and fruit can become soft and watery, changing the salad’s consistency.

CAN YOU MAKE AMBROSIA SALAD THE NIGHT BEFORE?

Yes—making it the night before is ideal. The salad needs several hours to allow the marshmallows to absorb liquid and the flavors to meld, so preparing it in advance saves time and improves the final texture.

If you haven’t tried this sweet, creamy, texture-rich salad, you’re in for a treat. It’s forgiving, adaptable, and a crowd-pleaser—feel free to experiment with leftover fruit to make the recipe your own.

Aerial photo of a bowl of ambrosia salad with a yellow kitchen linen around it.

Aerial photo of a small brown wooden bowl filled with ambrosia salad and a spoon.

Classic Ambrosia Salad Recipe

An easy dessert salad filled with mandarin oranges, crushed pineapple, and sweet maraschino cherries, in a creamy marshmallow sauce.

Prep Time
5 mins

Chilling Time
8 hrs

Total Time
8 hrs 5 mins

Recipe Author
Lynn April

Servings:
12 servings

Ingredients

2 – 11 ounce cans (624 g) mandarin oranges, drained
1 – 20 ounce can (567 g) crushed pineapple, drained as well as possible
10 ounces (283 g) maraschino cherries, drained, stems removed, and halved (approximately 1 cup)
1 cup (226 g) sour cream
10 ounces (283 g) mini marshmallows

Instructions

Place all fruit and the sour cream into a large bowl and stir to combine.
Add the mini marshmallows and stir until evenly distributed. Cover the bowl and chill in the refrigerator at least 8 hours. Stir again before serving. Store covered in the refrigerator up to 5 days.

Notes

Drain the oranges: Mandarins packed in pear juice are a good option to avoid excess syrup.
Sour cream: Full-fat sour cream gives the creamiest texture, but plain or vanilla Greek yogurt works as a lighter substitute.

Nutrition Disclosure

All nutritional values are approximate and provided as a courtesy. Changing ingredients or quantities will alter the estimated nutrition.