Pink Ambrosia Salad

You just need 5 ingredients and 5 minutes for this easy Pink Ambrosia Salad recipe! Made with sweet fruit, fluffy marshmallows, and creamy Cool Whip, the simple side dish is perfect with any holiday meal!

Jell-O salads, Southern ambrosia recipes, and fruit salads with Cool Whip are a staple on just about every holiday table around here. Regardless of the occasion, there’s a perfectly sweet, fluffy dish that pairs perfectly with the savory entrées and sides!

What is ambrosia?

How about a little ambrosia salad history! The origin of ambrosia salad goes back to the late 19th century, and was named for the food of the Greek gods (source).

A classic ambrosia salad recipe is an American fruit salad that typically contains pineapple, mandarin oranges, miniature marshmallows and coconut. Some versions may also include maraschino cherries, sliced banana, grapes, strawberries or pecans. The dish is often dressed with either Cool Whip, sour cream, cream cheese, yogurt, or mayonnaise.

As much as I love our family’s original recipe for ambrosia, I also have fun experimenting with other sweet fruit salads. This pink version is definitely one of the best ambrosia salad recipes yet!

We call this “Pink Ambrosia” because the red maraschino cherries turn the Cool Whip a very pale pink color. It’s beautiful!

Is Ambrosia Salad a dessert?

We always serve this fruit salad as a side dish with a holiday meal, but it’s certainly sweet enough to qualify as a dessert. You decide when you offer it — anything goes (and it’s delicious at any time)!

How to make Ambrosia Salad:

This 5 minute recipe only requires 5 ingredients! You’ll need:

• Maraschino cherries
• Mandarin oranges
• Pineapple chunks
• Miniature marshmallows
• Cool Whip

First, stir together the cherries, oranges, pineapple and marshmallows in a bowl.

Gently fold in the whipped topping until everything is coated. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve!

How long is Ambrosia good? How long does Ambrosia Salad last?

This salad will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, so it’s a great make ahead option! The fruit releases some liquid as it sits, so be sure to give it a gentle stir before serving. It’s best when consumed within 24 hours.

Can you freeze Ambrosia Salad?

I would not recommend freezing the leftovers. When it thaws, the salad will likely be watery and soggy.

What to serve with Ambrosia Salad:

Here are a few entrées that go well with the fruity side dish:

• Virginia Brown Sugar Baked Ham
• 5-Ingredient Baked Ham with Apricot Glaze
• Baked Ham and Cheese Omelet
• Garlic and Herb Roast Turkey Breast
• Southern Bourbon-Glazed Beef Tenderloin
• Old Fashioned Egg Salad Sandwich Recipe
• Cucumber Sandwiches
• Ham Salad

COOK’S TIPS AND RECIPE VARIATIONS:

• When adding the Cool Whip to the salad, be sure to gently fold it in to the mixture. You want to maintain as much of the airy, fluffy texture as possible.
• You can prepare this recipe in advance or serve it immediately. It’s best if enjoyed within 24 hours.
• Feel free to add some sweetened shredded coconut or chopped pecans to this ambrosia as well!
• Garnish with additional marshmallows or cherries, if desired!

Other easy Ambrosia Salad recipes that you might enjoy:

• A classic Ambrosia Salad with sour cream
• Dreamy 6-Cup Ambrosia Salad with sour cream and coconut
• Southern Ambrosia Smoothie {Dairy Free and Vegan}

This recipe was originally published in April, 2014. It was updated in March, 2019.