AMBROSIA SALAD, A Tropical Fruit Salad Perfect for the Holidays

[@charmainelevy7878]

Pineapple grapefruit Fruit cocktail Vanilla nutmeg jamaican jamaican rum sweet condensed milk Sour cream and eggs

[@carranettalynnfortner7595]

Grandma added grapes and apple chunks also. Yum.

[@Agamemnon-w9x]

I'm planning on making this for my folks for our Christmas family gathering. My mom made a variant of this where she added small nuts and raisins. She was well known for making thins and my folks devoured that stuff. She passed away about 12 years ago, and we would remember her making this for our gatherings. I want to bring this tradition back to my fam so we can all have it again while remembering her!

[@kathyrama4570]

My Mama called this 5 cup salad. She used crushed pineapple, Mondrian oranges, cherries, 1 cup of sweetened coconut, and sour cream. I love this salad.

[@doringnaputi8901]

I can’t wait to make this to bring to church gathering 😊

[@kathyrama4570]

@@doringnaputi8901 it is so good. She fixed it for Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter.

[@lolamclaughlin6560]

Kathy...that's the way my mom made it as well.

[@kathyrama4570]

@@lolamclaughlin6560 gosh, I miss her. This salad was such a treat.

[@kurtcastro7026]

Grapes

[@jeankelly368]

This recipe brings back sweet memories of my mother and grandmother making this.

[@paulredinger5830]

When I was a kid mom used to make this. Delicious! Thanks for the memory of my mom’s warm kitchen. 🙏🏻

[@CatherinesPlates]

You're welcome.

[@Deedeememee]

I mix in a box of cheesecake instant pudding. It makes a huge difference

[@sharonrichardson9907]

Thanks so much I been looking for this.

[@deannacoleman913]

My mother in law taught me how to make her fruit 🥗 salad pineapple, fruit cocktail, cherries, oranges, coconut, sour cream, cool whip, walnuts and mini marshmallows! Delicious!!!

[@thomastollet9145]

Pineapple cherries.sliced banana 1 .purple grapes oranges and light crushed walnuts... yummy

[@caroler4297]

This has been a holiday staple, Pineapple Mandarin oranges, fruit cocktail w/ cherries in lite syrup, the marschino cherries, coconut, bananas sliced, green grapes halfed, mini marshmallow, toasted pecans,, drain the canned fruit, and we used sour cream. We kept the juice and used it as a liquid in cake. We never used measurements for any of t he ingredients but this was how my Mom made it in the 1960's, I make it that way and have made it almost every holiday for over 50 years.

[@carolynmacdonald5191]

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THIS WITH US MY DEAR FRIEND. HAVE A NICE AND SAFE DAY.

[@jodinicholas562]

My great grandmother used to make this amazing salad. She did everything you have done but did put the coconut & pecans in as well!! Super yum!!

[@firstjohnfourandone4930]

yes, my aunt makes the best with pistachios!!!

[@bryanschwabenland6657]

Pecans i`~Luv That 1.

[@catherineg9943]

How much pecans do you add? Thanks!!❤️🙏🏻

[@nativevirginian8344]

My great-grandmother called this Pineapple Fluff.

[@MelCarter9]

If you add a box of pistachio pudding to your Cool Whip or heavy whipping cream, then add the Pineapple, pecans, coconut, and marshmallows, you will be amazed at how good this is. My husband said, "I don't like pistachios," and ate half this salad himself before I could get it into the fridge to chill.

[@joansmith6844]

Or even just vanilla pudding pack

[@peterbilt-bo1vy]

@@joansmith6844 Or coconut cream pie filling and maybe some semi-melted orange sherbet. If you add the sherbet you will need to keep it in the freezer. Yum yum.

[@joansmith6844]

@@peterbilt-bo1vy yummm

[@amdunlap895]

That's called a Watergate salad, and my grandma called it green stuff salad 😊

[@FrancesElder-k5k]

I just call this ABSOLUTELY SCRUMPTIOUS. In any variation! Guess I will be making this in the next few days.❤❤❤ Yes indeed!!!❤❤❤

[@donnadanna6676]

Fruit, sour cream, marshmallows and coconut. Yum!

[@58pame]

I make this for every holiday: pineapple chunks, mandarin oranges, cherries, mini marshmallows, sour cream, sweetened shredded coconut nut. Everyone loves it. I have added chopped pecans too.

[@ruthlong6876]

My grandmother and grandfather used to eat this all the time when I was a kid, I still like it, great video 👍🙏❤️😎bye

[@nacolejames2052]

That's is actually how my step mom made her fruit salad when I was 13 and you just bring me back my memories on Thanksgiving and Christmas. 🎄 🙃

[@CatherinesPlates]

Happy holidays!

[@denisebozung126]

This recipe brings back some happy memories of holiday gatherings with my extended family. No matter what you put in the salad, it is always delicious and you never want to stop eating it. Good job, Catherine.

[@wendoxia]

Ambrosh-sha

[@nancyhorn5752]

So dlish...Haven't made since my grandparents died. We put marshmallows and Coconut as well as banana and a few pecans. Thank you...will make for new years.

[@marthawelsh7269]

That's what we call "fluff" salad! Always a big hit at the assisted living facility! Wish I could make some!

[@empathic_goddess]

My mom's fruit salad was out of this world. I'm still trying to see just exactly what I'm missing from how she did hers. Wish she was here to tell me. Rest in peace momma 😘 great video by the way your fruit salad looks sooo delicious 🤤

[@ritaflatt6425]

🙏🫶🩷🤍🩷👐

[@ronigarcia3351]

Her ❤ love

[@alicecortez2411]

I used the mix fruit can ,,,can peaches pineapple raisins coconut flakes and crème cheese and cool whip Delicious

[@regina805]

I Appreciate Catherine's Plates.💯 This is a Classic Beloved Recipe. Bringing back Sweet Memories. I make this, sometimes instead of mini marshmallows. I combine, in a separate bowl 8 oz. of cream cheese plus a small jar of marshmallow cream. Add to fruit before adding the Cool Whip.

[@JimH13164]

I make this for every holiday. I use pineapple, mandarin oranges, 2 cans tropical fruit ( cut up chunks) and two cans cherry fruit cocktail. Drained thoroughly. 1/2 cup toasted pecans and one cup mini colored marshmallows. Two containers of real cream cool whip and two boxes of pistachio instant pudding. Mix thoroughly and smooth the top. Arrange cherry and pecan half’s on top. Let it set for a couple hours at least. I make it the night before so it’s already done. People eat it for dinner, a snack, or dessert if they don’t like pie. This fills about 3/4’s of a Tupperware salad bowl.

[@joannekalish1020]

I like the addition of pistachio pudding. Thanks

[@martiriggs2003]

Your recipe is more like Watergate Salad, which we always called Grammy’s Pineapple Salad. My grandmother made it for her card club. We have recently just started making it again for family gatherings and has brought back so many memories. The ambrosia is what we called 5 Cup Salad as there is one cup of each ingredient, cherries weren’t in the original recipe. I use pineapple tidbits, mandarin oranges, coconut, plain mini marshmallows and sour cream. I make this every holiday for my niece’s husband. Either one gets eaten up!

[@gretchenlaauwe7575]

Yes this version with the pistachio pudding is the holiday ambrosia I remember really a comfort food I had as a child ,yummy 😋

[@zelindahodgkins3235]

We have this salad on holidays. My step dads last name is Green. So we call this the GreenStuff. Its so good.

[@firstjohnfourandone4930]

@@joannekalish1020 it's amazing even toasted or roasted pistachios makes it a pretty green color too my aunt makes it this way fond fond memories and delicious!!!

[@nancyshook958]

Mom used real orange segments .. (We grew up in south Florida), sliced bananas, some coconut and chopped pecans . So simple and so Yummie! She also squeezed some oranges for some liquid. So healthy and had it every December all month long. That’s when oranges were cheapest and fresh! Ps.. We pronounced this Am-bro-zha 😉 💖Merry Christmas ❤ 🌲

[@josephohanlon205]

This brings back the holiday nostalgia. We have a Filipino variation, made with condensed milk.Oooh it's good

[@leslyeschoenhuth1107]

My Mom taught me to use Canned Mandarin Oranges, when they came on the market. She had used sliced oranges in the 40s & 50s.. We used small can crushed pineapple (drained). Yes, When Cool Whip came on the market, we added that as well.. Time savers were welcome in our home. Back in the 70s I "Dared" to take this to a work friends picnic. Several of the women got together & cornered me to ask, "Don't you understand 'salad'? Or don't you know how to rip up lettuce?" So the next Picnic I took Waldorf Salad. LOL That time the confrontation was, "Don't Ever bring Salad to another Picnic!" LOL ~ ~ Did you knoe you can freeze this to serve as the Salad at the beginning of the meal? Mom did that on major holidays.. Us kids were thrilled to have "Ice Cream" at the beginning of the meal. Mom was very sad at her heathen family.. Poor dear..

[@LarryCrandall-z2w]

They sounded like real witch 🧙‍♂️. Next picnic, I would have brought chocolate poop-pie. From 'The Help' movie.

[@bryzcrochet]

My mother makes this every holiday, it is one of the dishes she remembers from my grandmother. So delicious, I'm hungry now but am cooking already so it smells delicious. I remember oranges and pineapples and grapes I think. Merry Christmas.

[@dglawrence5970]

I omit the coconut and marshmallows, but add chopped pecans and sliced bananas.

[@melanieedwards6909]

First time I ate this loved it,But when I made it forgot marshmallows,it was really different,that’s when I notice no marshmallows,taste is really different,probably less sugar,marshmallows also melt and have different taste to salad.

[@texasinkedgrandma5366]

Bananas turn so quick you have to eat the day of.

[@lia-liz2012]

My mom used to make this but I remember grapes 🍇 and coconut 🥥 Yours is definitely easier and I love the addition of yogurt 😋

[@CosmicDiamond8789]

I bet grapes 🍇 are delicious in it, or even blueberries! Your Mom was brilliant! Thanks so much for giving me the idea.

[@ginnyziccardi5434]

That's my way, too. Love the grapes 🍇

[@absolutelyangee8758]

Thank you for this recipe. I made my 1st Ambrosia salad at 2023 Thanksgiving and Christmas

[@CatherinesPlates]

You're welcome.

[@lindatatum6012]

Grew up in Houston, Texas when Weingartens was a big grocery chain. Their deli had something similar. I could tell there was whipped cream but not sure about either mayonnaise or sour cream. They said both, so here is my version I’ve adapted thru the years. If you can’t make night before, CHILL canned fruits. (Pineapple, peaches, mandarin oranges and red and green cherries, depending on season. Christmas, I use both. This became holiday favorite so I made huge batches, usually 2-3 cans each fruit. It takes 1/3 mayonnaise, 1/3 sour cream and 2/3 whipped cream. Ratio: 1 part sour cream, 1 part mayonnaise, 2 parts whipped cream. Get unopened whipping cream carton super cold in freezer 15 minutes along with beaters before whipping. FIRST THING: Whip cream and add package of colored, flavored marshmallows. 30 minutes they are expanded and fluffy. NEXT, open and drain fruits. Cut cherries in half. FOLD in mayonnaise and sour cream into whipped cream and marshmallows. LAST add 2/3 cup chopped pecans and bag of shredded coconut. Chill until ready to serve. I have also served this frozen in cupcake tins. Had at baby shower once and got idea. Enjoy. Linda

[@karenbenavente1124]

Yummy 😋🤤 that sounds very delicious!!

[@sarahsmith5998]

After reading the comments, I have gotten some really good ideas to add to the salad. Never thought of yogurt either or toasting the pecans. Takes it up a notch, I bet. You are the best! Thanks for this nostalgic recipe, Catherine.

[@ronigarcia3351]

Would you toast pecans with butter or?

[@lindamasson8799]

I agree this recipe just brought back some very happy holiday recipes my Mom, my Gram and my Aunt all made this and they are now gone so it was lovely to be reminded of them and the holiday times past. Thank you so much Catherine.

[@jerrilynernsting903]

I like it a i put in pineapple.mandarin oranges.marshinocherries.drain fruit.add sour cream.mix in bowl a refrigerate can use fruit cocktail..2t..top w cool whip a top w crushed pecans.

[@carolynpurser7469]

Ambrosia salad is great anytime of year and any occasion 😊 Yum!

[@marynewton2774]

I always use crushed pineapple, cherries, fruit cocktail, and the oranges, i skip the marshmallows but add vanilla and a few sprinkles and mix in the cool whip!

[@marthawelsh7269]

Nix on the 'fruit cocktail"! I'd use sour cream added to the whipping cream with the powdered sugar, & vanilla!

[@annettegulliver3363]

In NZ The most popular is ...mixed berries yogurt whipped(real creaml) colored marshmellos and maybe mixed berries....chill and all set to eat

[@eternalluv5272]

-- Thank U ... ' Catherine's Plates ' ...😊 Mom use to make this type of dessert for the Holidays

[@gingerpinon5590]

Once 8 had a co worker make it with pistachio jello. So it was green. Snd really yummy

[@CosmicDiamond8789]

Thanks 🙏 Catherine! I never tried coconut in it before, but I Love, Love coconut & all things tropical 🌴. 🙏Have a beautiful, blessed Tuesday!

[@kimmypayne2559]

I really do love how you explain everything and you don't rush through the ingredients like some people do. I will be making this for Thanksgiving side dish.

[@sarahclark27]

I am making this for Christmas Family gathering.

[@lisakropp3881]

My mother past couple years ago from dementia and I wish i would have wrote down a lot of her recipes. She made the best ambrosia. She toasted the coconut and used heavy whipping cream

[@gdave53925_]

Every ambrosia salad I've seen is pink, very interesting. Sometimes I just mix Cool whip and strawberry Greek yogurt for a delicious treat.

[@yvonnecowan5994]

I also add bananas toasted pecans and toast my coconut as well. I also chop up the maraschino cherries in halves and spread them around since everybody in my family seems to love them. I also prefer sour cream made with whipping cream and lemon or lime juice and a touch of honey if needed although I have resorted to Cool Whip. I also leave out the marshmallows.

[@lisakropp3881]

This sounds like my mom's recipe she never used marshmallows or cool whip. Home made whipping cream toasted coconut banana's and fruit cocktail. Delicious!

[@_kass3939]

This is EXACTLY how my mom would make it when I was a kid. I miss 😢those days.

[@AdrianneCottingham]

My gran always added chopped pecans and coconut as well as the marshmallows

[@maggieslifeisawildride512]

Oh yes...made this a lot! I have also made a dump cake version of this. You mix the fruit together, place it all in an appropriate sized pan and cover it with a box of dry cake mix (I like a butter yellow flavor) and cut up one stick of butter into thin pats and cover the cake mix. Bake at 350 for about 35 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly. Serve with whip cream or ice cream...yum!!!

[@cathyburns750]

Oooo, yummy! That sounds delicious! Thanks for the tip.

[@maggieslifeisawildride512]

@@cathyburns750 It's real good with chopped pears and peaches too!

[@rosiemartinez9993]

Do you drain fruits?

[@sylviaworrell5132]

Good ideal 😊 thanks

[@maggieslifeisawildride512]

@@rosiemartinez9993 Yes but if I use a fruit pie filling I don't.

[@nativevirginian8344]

I have seen it made with sour cream, powdered sugar, and pecans also. Looks so good!

[@patty4709]

I have not made in years. My sister always made for holidays. So delicious.

[@KetoCookbooksCorner]

*Never seen this kind of salad anywhere. Maybe I should give it a try* 😍

[@zzzzipy12]

My favorite holiday “salad”!!!

[@queenslanddiva]

Hi from Australia - I make this with pineapple, mandarin, marshmallows, sour cream and coconut. Yummo. Using the sour cream, you need to make it the day before, to let it all combine well.

[@gerrymichlin3207]

Fond memories and a delicious fruit salad! 👍😋🍊🍒🍍

[@TalithaNCummi]

That cocktail would be excellent with peligrino or Perrier sparkling water added added to it

[@gulfcoastalmouth]

It’s great you love your salad. My Florida old time recipe calls for fresh oranges and grapefruits sliced thin and layered to look like jewels, with a sprinkle of coconut and pecans, put in the fridge so everything is wonderfully cold.

[@gloriawojo7414]

My grandmother used to make the best Ambrosia Salad I've ever had. She used the pineapple, mandarin oranges, cherries (cut in half), shredded coconut, marshmallows, sour cream, Cool Whip, and some homemade purple grape wine. Oh my gosh, when that wine penetrated the marshmallows and sweetened coconut, it went all the way through the other ingredients too. She would let us kids have a little taste and we thought we were in heaven. Unfortunately no one ever wrote down the recipe so we just have to guess at the proportions now, but I don't think anyone has ever gotten it to taste like grandma's Ambrosia Salad.

[@connierodenburg129]

Gloria Wojo, Grandmothers make the Best Recipe Memories!

[@ravinhud4979]

Thats how my Granny did it!. maybr not the wine, lol

[@kithartman2199]

@@ravinhud4979 .

[@joanwalford1959]

Love this salad with the coconut. My sister makes it all the time

[@doylenecrane9713]

Mom always made this fruit salad. I almost forgot about it since mom passed away in 2014. She always added one cup of chopped pecans and shredded coconut to hers and it was especially good the day after she let in stay refrigerated several hours. Thanks for reminding me about this delicious salad!!!

[@maurinadittenhaffer6140]

I love this salad. It makes me think of Christmas dinners at church. Your version is my favorite. I have made it with and without coconut.

[@GrandmaJilly1]

Been making this for over 50 years but we love the coconut & add diced pears & peaches as well!

[@joanneborn8826]

I learned this in home economics in the earlie 70s. Make it every year since for holidays.

[@beckywilliams6734]

My great grandma used to make this for Sunday dinner pretty regularly. She added coconut to hers and pecans. Sweet, prescious memories 🥰

[@chocluva2678]

My mom and grandma made theirs with fruit cocktail, sour cream, a little bit of chopped apples, chopped walnuts, colored marshmallows, and would add a little sugar. I remember reading that stuff all the way back since the '70s. Yummy!

[@carolemayer6467]

My mother also called it 5 cup salad!! No cherries but grapes!! I'm gonna use cherries, cool whip and Greek yogurt too!!! But truly U cn put n any fruit U want!! Bananas too! A very tasty salad!! 👍🥰

[@gma2893]

I love ambrosia salad. Never made it but I will make some for the holidays.

[@ruthstagnitta274]

Coconut is a must and walnuts thank you very much cocktail sounds good too

[@countrygirl3458]

Add a half of a cup of chopped toasted pecans! The Best Salad Ever!💯❤❤

[@doloresbecker756]

I make a toasted-caramelized ambrosia salad. I simmer a can of crushed pineapple with the juice, orange marmalade, sour cherry preserves in a saucepan until the liquid evaporates, then add a bit of sweet cream butter when the mixture thickens, as well as a bit of port or sherry. Let cool, then add mandarin oranges and staled mini marshmallows after I incorporate the sour cream and then I fold in whipped heavy cream. Chill overnight. Serve it in individual English trifle dishes, topped with pecans and coconut chips that have been toasted in butter and lightly salted with pink Himalayan Sea salt.

[@fatbikearcticnomad2122]

Wow!! That looks delicious!! You did a great job and love the marshmallow idea!!!! Soooo good!!

[@CatherinesPlates]

Thank you so much 🤗

[@debbiereilly900]

Always have ambrosia for the holidays. No coconut I put large can pineapple and mandarin oranges and fruit cocktail and a can of diced peaches mix well with a full bag of mini marshmallows and sour cream. Delicious. Thank you for sharing Catherine have a blessed day stay safe and healthy 🙏❤🙏❤🙏

[@tinabuchanan3780]

I make it with out the yogurt and I add coconut, and fruit cocktail,I have never use marshmallows but they look good and I make it in a stock pot.

[@vickivail3747]

Being tropical, I like fresh sweetened shredded coconut in my Ambrosia as well. It's very delicious!

[@bigbird62873]

Fruit salad look good

[@bigbird62873]

Thanks

[@007modmom]

Texas-Arkansas family generations: Fruit cocktail, canned oranges, apple chunks, banana slices and mix all with sweetened whipped cream. As an adult I added flaked coconut. My kids hated it so I usually ate it all myself! Thanksgiving dinner item.

[@eleanorpitt8190]

I really enjoy pineapple and I enjoy the Ambrosia salad too

[@dcarmack1051]

My mother n law called it Ambrosia but my good friend called it Angel Flake Salad , few different ingredients but was delicious

[@maryhenry714]

I used to make huge bowls of this salad back in the 80’s when I worked in a huge cafeteria at the RCA plant. We made it fresh we cut up fresh oranges and cut the slices out of each orange, fresh pineapple cut in chunks, now we added fresh red grapefruit, and also maraschino cherries, sweetened coconut and just whipped cream because the red grapefruit had the tang and whipped cream was enough. Cool whip is good holds up well. We also bought the fresh oranges and red grapefruit in jars already to use, it was refrigerated and I think you can buy it already done as well in the refrigerated section in the fruit department. Just remember to drain well!

[@taniacole7153]

Thanks for sharing a well Demonstration of how to make this salad I tried it and it came out beautiful thanks

[@CatherinesPlates]

You are so welcome

[@jenniferwalton4682]

I'm making this today, fruit cocktail, and crushed walnuts ❤

[@melsockman9615]

This brings back memories of my mom. Except my mom added coconut to hers. Anyway, it was delicious. Thanks for bringing back beautiful memories of my mom Thanks, again!

[@CatherinesPlates]

My pleasure 😊

[@robinfrady5257]

Yep!! Tried and True. Pro-Tip: mix your whipped topping and sour cream together first. Also Tito's for that extra juice! 😁

[@tom1959100]

I use a couple of cans of mixed fruit(drained)...then dice up apples, oranges, red seedless grapes...then add a little sweetened coconut flakes, mimi marshmallows and chopped pecans. Then mix in a cool whip, sour cream, cream cheese, sugar and vanilla mixture.

[@edwardstevensjr9506]

I love toasted coconut on mine but yours is also very good thanks for sharing this recipe with us

[@evelynnegutierrez4688]

This looks so good thank you for your recipes bless you for sharing with us bless you ❤😅

[@angelacooper4043]

Yes it’s a staple at family dinners ❤❤❤

[@jonmaraglia8696]

Reminds me of a typical 1970's neighborhood pot luck. Ambrosia Salad and Steak Diane.

[@erikahemphill2453]

I had pistachio pudding mix! So yummy!

[@lillianwilliams5510]

My grandmother. Made itnin our family. I would pick out the cherries. Pineapple and peaches because she used shredded coconut. Now I realize I took away the full delight of tasting the complete blend. She made her own pudding. I went to Greece and they use homemade yogurt with everything.

[@maryhartwig6816]

I make this often, using sour cream instead of whipped topping, and adding walnuts as well. Awesome!

[@charlottedowdell]

I use crushed pinapple m oranges cherries mini marshmellows and shreded coconut and coolwhip

[@donnanichols6838]

Lol, apparently I've been making ambrosia salad all of my life but didn't know it was ambrosia salad...I thought that was a jello, fruit, marshmallow and cool whip salad...which I guess IS also ambrosia... My usual basic recipe ( subject to fruit changes, or additions at will) lol, Fruit cocktail, mandarin oranges, and cool whip, super simple, I love walnuts in it too. I don't use marshmallows in it though, does that still count? Lol. Oh and my family just eats it along with the dinner, not as dessert. Although I can certainly see why it can be dessert. SIGH, the holidays are upon us, time for special good eats, special good conpany, and special good times!!! Wishing you all a beautiful holiday season, filled with love, hope, kindness ( throughout the year), and a touch of magic !!! 🍃🤗🍃

[@ewinleti4680]

I use miracle whip salad dressing, and cool whip, granny Smith apples, pecans,bananas and shredded coconut. I'm going to try your recipe the next time. Thanks💛

[@janetprice85]

I've made this as did Mom and Grandma. Not just in the holidays but for church dinners too.

[@rubyspencer6435]

The fruit juice is really good if you put sparking water in it.

[@marthalewis6776]

My mother always made this really good. Another one she made was Waldorf salad.

[@katerryjackson749]

Looks refreshing and that juice cocktail looks delicious

[@kaceytyler617]

Toasted pecans and coconut for sure!! Delicious!!! 😍☺️

[@johnp8424]

we would also use a small box of instant french vanilla pudding with a reduced amount of milk to mix with the cool whip for the base.

[@poohemk1239]

I just made this tonight after watching your video for a church fellowship tomorrow... tastes great 💕 thanks for sharing

[@poohemk1239]

PS everyone loved it and they ate every last bite