This classic Ambrosia Salad recipe is a sure-fire hit that works as a sweet side dish or fruity dessert! Grapes, strawberries, pineapple, oranges, and marshmallows are tossed in a sweet and sour cream dressing for a marshmallow fruit salad that is too good to be missed!

ambrosia salad in a white bowl with 2 maraschino cherries and a spoon.

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Why We Love This Ambrosia Salad Recipe

An old-fashioned marshmallow fruit salad is perfect for a holiday dish, although I can enjoy it any time of the year! It’s fluffy, light, and sweet, and it’s a delicious way to enjoy your fruits.

Quick and Easy: It takes no more than 20 minutes to make up this fruit salad recipe, and there’s no cooking involved!
Kid Friendly: If you have picky eaters who don’t like to eat fruit, they are going to love this! Whilst not exactly healthy, it’s a great treat and a tasty way to get some vitamins in!
Make Ahead: This is a great make-ahead option for the holidays. Make it a day or two ahead of time for easy entertaining. This recipe also makes enough for 12 servings, so it’s perfect for a crowd.

Variations on Ambrosia Fruit Salad

To modify this recipe, you can use canned pineapple in place of the fresh pineapple. You can also use 1½ cups whipped topping in place of the heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and sour cream. And if you don’t have access to fresh fruit, you can use 2 drained (15.5-ounce cans) of fruit cocktail in place of all of the fruit in this recipe.

marshmallow salad in a white serving bowl with 2 maraschino cherries.

How to Make Ahead

This salad is a great make-ahead dish. Prepare the entire salad, leaving off any nuts or cherries that you plan to use as garnish, up to 2 days in advance. Store it tightly wrapped in the refrigerator, and garnish with cherries and chopped nuts when ready to serve.

How to Store

Store leftover ambrosia salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. I do not recommend freezing this salad.

Serving Suggestions

This ambrosia salad recipe is one delicious and crowd-pleasing dessert, but it is also commonly served up as a side dish as part of a holiday meal. Try it with some of these favorite holiday mains: Air Fryer Garlic Rosemary Turkey Breast, Deep Fried Turkey Breast, Garlic Butter Prime Rib, or Sheet Pan Easter Dinner with Lamb. However you decide to serve this fruity marshmallow salad, it’s guaranteed to be a hit!

marshmallow salad in a white bowl with 2 maraschino cherries and a spoon.

More Fruit Salad Recipes To Try

How to Make Ambrosia Salad Step by Step

Whip the Cream: In a large bowl, using a hand mixer, whip 1 cup of heavy cream and 2 tablespoons of powdered sugar until soft-medium peaks form. Gently fold in ¼ cup of sour cream.

heavy cream and powdered sugar in a glass bowl.

Fold in the Fruit: Gently fold in 10 ounces of mini marshmallows, 1 cup of canned mandarin oranges, 1 cup of diced fresh strawberries, 1 cup of chopped fresh pineapple, 1 cup of green grapes, ⅓ cup of maraschino cherries, and ⅓ cup of chopped pecans.