Introduction to Ambrosia Salad
Ambrosia salad is a simple, sweet side dish made for busy holiday tables. This version uses only Maraschino cherries, Mandarin oranges, Pineapple chunks, Shredded coconut, and Mini marshmallows. The fruit brings plenty of moisture and color, while coconut and marshmallows give the salad its soft, chewy texture.
There is no stove work and no complicated dressing to prepare. The main task is draining the fruit well so the finished salad stays light instead of watery. After a quick stir, the mixture rests in the refrigerator until it is cold and the marshmallows have softened slightly. Make it earlier in the day, then bring it to the table when dinner is ready.
Why You'll Love This Ambrosia Salad
- This salad needs no cooking, which leaves more oven and stovetop space for the rest of the Thanksgiving meal.
- The five ingredients create a colorful dish with sweet fruit, tender marshmallows, and a pleasant coconut texture.
- A short chilling time helps the flavors settle and makes the salad especially refreshing beside rich holiday foods.
- The recipe is easy to scale for a small family meal or a larger gathering without changing the basic method.
- You can prepare it several hours ahead, making it a useful make-ahead option for a busy holiday schedule.
Ingredients for Ambrosia Salad
- Maraschino cherries
- Mandarin oranges
- Pineapple chunks
- Shredded coconut
- Mini marshmallows
Drain the Mandarin oranges and Pineapple chunks thoroughly before mixing. Let them sit in their strainers for several minutes, and gently press the pineapple with the back of a spoon to remove extra juice without crushing the pieces. Drain the Maraschino cherries as well, then pat them dry so their syrup does not thin the salad.
How to Make Ambrosia Salad
Step 1: Drain the Fruit
Set a large fine-mesh strainer over a bowl or in the sink. Pour in the Mandarin oranges and Pineapple chunks separately, allowing each one to drain for at least five minutes. Turn the Pineapple chunks gently with a spoon so trapped juice can escape. Drain the Maraschino cherries, pat them dry with paper towels, and reserve a few whole cherries for the top if you like.
Step 2: Prepare the Mixing Bowl
Choose a large bowl that gives you enough room to fold the ingredients without crushing the fruit. Add the drained Pineapple chunks, Mandarin oranges, and Maraschino cherries. If the oranges are unusually large, you can break a few segments in half with clean fingers, but leave most pieces whole so the salad keeps a varied texture.
Step 3: Add the Coconut
Sprinkle the Shredded coconut over the fruit. Stir slowly with a wide rubber spatula, lifting from the bottom and turning the mixture over itself. This distributes the coconut without tearing the oranges or releasing too much liquid. Scrape the sides of the bowl so the fruit and coconut are evenly combined.
Step 4: Fold in the Marshmallows
Add the Mini marshmallows in two or three additions, folding after each addition. Use gentle strokes rather than vigorous stirring. The marshmallows should be spread throughout the fruit, and the cherries should remain mostly intact. Stop as soon as the ingredients look evenly mixed.
Step 5: Chill the Salad
Cover the bowl tightly with a lid or plastic wrap and refrigerate it at 40°F or below for at least 1 hour. Chilling gives the coconut time to absorb some of the fruit moisture and lets the marshmallows soften slightly. The salad can be made up to 6 hours ahead for the best texture.
Step 6: Stir and Serve
Before serving, uncover the bowl and give the ambrosia salad one gentle fold. Check the bottom for pooled liquid; if needed, lift the salad into a clean serving bowl, leaving excess juice behind. Spoon it into a chilled bowl or individual cups, and add the reserved cherries on top. Return leftovers to the refrigerator promptly.
Tips for Success
- Use a wide spatula for folding because a spoon can break the Mandarin oranges more easily.
- Drain every fruit component well, since extra syrup can make the marshmallows dissolve and leave the salad watery.
- Keep the salad covered in the refrigerator until serving so it stays cold and does not pick up other food odors.
- For a firmer texture, chill the salad for about 1 hour; chilling it overnight can make the marshmallows noticeably softer.
- Set out only the amount you plan to serve and keep the remainder refrigerated, especially during a long holiday meal.
Equipment Needed
- Large fine-mesh strainer
- Large mixing bowl
- Wide rubber spatula
Variations
- For a fruit-forward version, use more Pineapple chunks and reduce the Mini marshmallows by the same volume.
- For a lighter-looking salad, use unsweetened Shredded coconut if it is available, while keeping the other quantities unchanged.
- For smaller servings, divide the finished salad among eight small dessert cups instead of serving it from one large bowl.
- For a more cherry-colored finish, fold in the Maraschino cherries last and stir only a few times so their syrup lightly streaks the fruit.
- For a firmer holiday salad, chill the fruit before mixing and serve the finished dish after 1 hour rather than leaving it overnight.
Serving Suggestions
Serve ambrosia salad cold as a sweet side with roast turkey, ham, or other Thanksgiving dishes. It works well in a shallow serving bowl, where the colorful fruit is easy to see, or in small cups for a buffet. Keep the bowl on ice if it will sit out during the meal, and refrigerate any leftovers within 2 hours, or within 1 hour if the room is above 90°F. Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator and use them within 3 days, checking the texture before serving.
FAQs about Ambrosia Salad
Can I make ambrosia salad ahead of time? Yes. Prepare it up to 6 hours ahead and keep it covered in the refrigerator at 40°F or below. The fruit will continue to soften the marshmallows if the salad sits overnight, so the texture is best when served the same day.
Why is my ambrosia salad watery? The fruit may not have been drained long enough, or the salad may have sat for too long after mixing. Drain the Pineapple chunks, Mandarin oranges, and Maraschino cherries well before combining them. If liquid collects in the bowl, lift the salad into a clean bowl and leave the excess behind.
Can I use fresh pineapple instead of canned Pineapple chunks? Fresh pineapple can be used if it is cut into small pieces and drained well, but canned Pineapple chunks provide a more consistent texture and amount for this recipe. Whichever you use, remove as much excess juice as possible before mixing.
How long can ambrosia salad sit at room temperature? Keep it at room temperature for no more than 2 hours. If the temperature is above 90°F, limit that time to 1 hour. Refrigerate the salad promptly, and serve it in a bowl set over ice if it needs to remain available during a longer meal.
Can I freeze ambrosia salad? Freezing is not recommended. The Mandarin oranges and Pineapple chunks can become watery after thawing, and the Mini marshmallows may lose their soft texture. Make the salad fresh and refrigerate it instead.
Final Thoughts
Ambrosia salad is a dependable choice when you want a colorful Thanksgiving side without another cooking task. Drain the fruit carefully, fold everything together gently, and give it enough time to chill. The result is a cool, sweet salad that adds a soft and refreshing contrast to the rest of the holiday table.
Looking for more? This recipe is part of our roundup of 4 Thanksgiving Salads That Make Holiday Hosting Easier.
Ambrosia Salad
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Drain the Maraschino cherries, Mandarin oranges, and Pineapple chunks thoroughly, patting the cherries dry.
- Combine the drained fruit in a large bowl, add the Shredded coconut, and fold gently.
- Fold in the Mini marshmallows until evenly distributed without crushing the fruit.
- Cover and refrigerate at 40°F or below for at least 1 hour before serving.
Nutrition
Notes
- Drain the fruit well to prevent a watery salad.
- The best texture comes from serving the salad the same day it is made.
- Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours, or within 1 hour when the temperature is above 90°F.
