Southern Ambrosia Salad is a must-have at any gathering. Whipped topping, pineapple, grapes, mandarin oranges, maraschino cherries and coconut flakes!
SOUTHERN AMBROSIA FRUIT SALAD
Fruit salads really signal the beginning of summer to me. I start making them a lot! Some of my favorites are this Ambrosia Fruit Salad, ORANGE CREAMSICLE FRUIT SALAD, ORANGE FLUFF, HONEY LIME FRUIT SALAD or even an ORANGE CHICKEN PASTA SALAD. It’s the best time of year for all of these salads that are perfect to take to a cookout. Folks always love when they see a good fruit salad sitting on the table!
DO YOU TASTE THE SOUR CREAM IN THIS?
The answer is no. You really don’t. It does cut the overall sweetness so you don’t break a tooth – ha. But you don’t taste it as a separate ingredient. And yes, you can leave the coconut flakes out if you absolutely can’t stand coconut.
VIDEO INCLUDED BELOW:
CAN I USE SUGAR FREE OPTIONS FOR THIS FRUIT SALAD?
There are natural sugars in the fruits themselves. However, if you want to cut the sugar then try to find the canned fruit that is packed in sugar-free juice. You can also buy sugar free whipped topping.
HOW TO MAKE AMBROSIA SALAD:
Originally published: January 2012
Updated & republished: May 2019
SOUTHERN AMBROSIA FRUIT SALAD
Ingredients
- 1 (8 oz) tub of whipped topping thawed
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 (20 oz) can pineapple tidbits, drained well
- 1 (15 oz) can mandarin orange segments, drained well
- 1 cup red or green seedless grapes, sliced in half
- 1 1/2 cups sweetened coconut flakes
- 1 1/2 cups mini marshmallows
- 1 10 oz jar of maraschino cherry halves, drained very well
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine whipped topping and sour cream.
- Add in coconut flakes and marshmallows.
- Then gently fold in pineapple, mandarin oranges, grapes and maraschino cherries and nuts (if using).
- Once combined, put some plastic wrap on it or put it in a bowl with a lid and refrigerate for about an hour before serving.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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Been making this for years .. however , we call it overnight salad ., no coconut or nuts.. and instead of cool whip and sour cream I use 1/2 cup miracle whip folded into fresh whipped heavy whipping cream .. then fold fruit and marshmallows in and refrigerate overnight ..
I made this without the nuts – it was delicious!
Thanks so much Suzy! I appreciate you coming back to let me know!
Instead of using sour cream i use 1 pkg. softened cream cheese.
What do you think you could sub the coconut for? To help with the consistency, maybe a noodle?
Just don’t use the coconut. Please do not use noodles. This is a fruit salad, not a pasta. You might cut back half a cup on your sour cream, since the coconut is one of the sweeteners. I am not an expert by any means, but I have been cooking for 63 years. Hope this gives you some ideas what to do.
I made this minus the nuts and I used fresh pineapple and mandarin oranges. It was SO delicuous! Making this for Easter too.
Easy and Delicious!
I use instant vanilla pudding, buttermilk instead of sour cream & a can of fruit cocktail in mine instead of grapes. Fresh strawberries & or banannas is tasty too..strawberry jello is also an alternative. It also gives it a pretty color.
I followed the recipe it came out fabulous! Thank you for sharing
I use sugar blended with heavy whipping cream. I prefer to only use mandarin oranges, pineapple, diced peaches, mini marshmallows, strawberries, and now that I saw maraschino cherries I’m gonna use those too!
My grandma used to make the same thing, but she added green apples, bananas, and halved grapes and sliced almonds on top for color and decoration:)
Sounds so good Meghan!! Love all the variations!
We make this alot and it is yum yum yummy!
Nothing like it, right? Thank you Cindy!
Love this! I made it today and cant stop eating it
Ha!! Love hearing that! Thanks so much Laura!!
I love this recipe, thanks for sharing!
Thank you Anita!