Why We Love This Ambrosia Salad Recipe
This bright, colorful Ambrosia Salad dessert is one my Grandma used to make over and over each season and was always a big hit at our neighborhood gatherings. Nowadays, I make it often for my family, who love enjoying it as we make our own summer memories together! This fruit salad can be easily made in only 15 minutes using many pantry staple ingredients. It keeps well in the fridge for up to an entire week.
The Original Marshmallow Salad
If you’re from the South, you’ve probably had an Ambrosia Recipe at a summer barbecue or at a relative’s house. If not, you may be asking “What is Ambrosia?” This throw-caution-to-the-wind fruit “salad” is more of a guilty pleasure than anything else. It’s also sometimes called Marshmallow Salad or Marshmallow Fluff Salad. Where did Ambrosia Salad originate? Although many people relate Ambrosia Salad to the South, there is no official record of its true birthplace. However, some sources actually claim it originated in Vermont. Many believe Ambrosia Salad first appeared in a cookbook released in 1867 called “Dixie Cookery: or How I Managed My Table for Twelve Years.” It gained popularity in the 1870’s in a variety of different cookbooks as well.
Why Do They Call It Ambrosia?
The word Ambrosia literally means immortality in Greek. Believe it or not, at the time this recipe started gaining popularity the ingredients involved (various canned fruits, marshmallows, and coconut) were considered exotic and hard to find. Therefore, this salad was named after the elusive nectar, or drink of the gods, in Greek mythology. “Food of the Gods” is the official Latin translation. Decades later, many of these same ingredients were considered pantry staples in the United States. So Ambrosia salad continued on as a popular American side dish because it was quick and easy to throw together for us mortals. wink
The Best Ambrosia Recipe We’ve Ever Made
Ambrosia Salad first started as a simple side, yet has transformed into a more complex dish of flavors and colors over the years. Yet its simplistic roots remain, with the use of canned goods that together still taste wonderfully refreshing and bright. A good (modernized) Ambrosia Recipe offers 4 things:
Our Recipe Twist
This is a classic ambrosia salad recipe with just a few slight changes. Some people like to use sour cream as the base, while others use Cool Whip. In my humble opinion, a blend of both ingredients creates the best flavor. I like to add green grapes for a bit of freshness in this fruit salad, as well as candied (crystallized) ginger for a surprise touch of sweet-heat in each spoonful. You simply can’t go wrong with these delicious ingredients!
Ingredients You Need
Mandarin Oranges – The orange citrus adds a delicate tangy note and color. Peaches – Fresh summer flavor from a can. Pineapple – Adds a tropical twist to this classic recipe. Maraschino Cherries – For color and extra sweetness. Green Grapes – Fresh, juicy, colorful. Coconut Shreds/Flakes – For a tropical underlying flavor. Mini Marshmallows – To lighten the texture with the perfect amount of fluff. Pecans – Completely optional, but adds a bit of crunch. Crystalized Ginger – Let’s spice it up! (This is my favorite secret ingredient.) Sour Cream – Balances the sweet flavors. Cool Whip – The best light and quick creamy base! Salt – To bring all the vibrant flavor to the forefront.
How To Make Ambrosia Salad
Tips & Tricks
Gently fold the salad to make sure that the mandarin slices do not break! Replace the sour cream in this recipe with plain greek yogurt or regular plain yogurt if desired! To make this amrosia salad ahead of time, combine all the ingredients and store covered for up to 1 day. This will soften up the marshmallows. If you don’t want the marshmallows to become soft, then fold in the marshmallows before serving instead!
Looking For More Southern-Style Salads?
Best Classic Egg Salad Recipe Perfect Macaroni Salad Recipe Red White & Blue Chopped Salad Recipe Dorito Taco Salad Recipe Irresistible Broccoli Salad Recipe Nana’s Epic Tuna Salad Recipe The Best Ever Potato Salad Recipe Retro Cornbread Salad Recipe The Ultimate Southern Chicken Salad Recipe Apple Chopped Salad with Herb Vinaigrette
Find all our summer side dishes here! Check the printable recipe card below for this side dish’s prep time and nutrition information including calories, carbohydrates, protein, cholesterol, sodium, potassium, fiber, vitamin C, and calcium percentages. Make sure to share this recipe on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. Share This Recipe With Friends!
