The Pioneer Woman’s Ambrosia Salad Recipe is both incredibly simple to put together and consistently well received during get-togethers with extended family. This luscious dessert is made with shredded coconut, marshmallows, shredded coconut, crushed pineapple, and mandarin oranges, along with whipped topping. It is ideal for potlucks, parties, barbecues, and other types of get-togethers. Also works well as a pleasant and reviving dessert on any day of the week.
Why You’ll Love This Ambrosia Salad Recipe:
- The most convenient and delicious side dishes are those that can be prepared in a matter of minutes using materials that are already in the kitchen.
- Because there is no such thing as a perfect picnic without this refreshing and creamy summer salad, I am positive that your loved ones will like it.
- I think that the mixture of pineapple, cherries, mandarin oranges, and crisp nuts, all of which are folded into a glorious cloud of cool whip and sour cream, is nothing short of bliss. Therefore, incorporate a variety of other fruits and nuts, and proceed to prepare this recipe many times.

What Is Ambrosia Salad?
Now, I will be the first to admit that I am not beyond using cool cream or marshmallows in a fruit salad. I will say this right off the bat. When I was a kid, my family always had this pistachio salad for dinner every week. In addition, a Cool Whip and Marshmallow Salad is required at every single potluck in the state of Utah. They are fantastic! Potlucks are never complete without an Ambrosia Salad from my kitchen. Because let’s be honest: have you ever come across anybody who doesn’t enjoy it? Why on earth didn’t I publish this on my blog till now!? This dish is a definite staple at every potluck.
Where Does Ambrosia Salad Come From?
It is believed that the ambrosia fruit salad was first created in Vermont sometime around the late 19th century. You’ve just learned a little of history, haven’t you? On the other hand, if you want to simplify things, it’s just a fruit salad with marshmallows and whipped cream. Ambrosia salad is one of my favorite salads, and I’ve had it with kiwi, bananas, grapes, and other sorts of fruits.
What Is The Difference Between Ambrosia Salad And Fruit Salad?
The traditional fruit salad is the basis for the Ambrosia Salad, which is a unique take on the dish. The addition of the little marshmallows, the sweetened coconut, and the almonds sets this dessert apart from others. However, the ever-present fruits are a part of it too. Because all of the fruits that are going to be used are already preserved, this dish is quite simple to put together.
What Ingredients To Make Pioneer Woman Ambrosia Salad?
Listed below are all of the components that go into making a classic Southern Ambrosia Fruit Salad. However, by all means, feel free to add in any of your favorites as well.
- Tidbits of canned pineapples that have been drained: Crushed pineapples are another great option. Additionally, fresh pineapples are very much appreciated by everyone.
- Mandarin oranges that have been canned: If you don’t drain the oranges well, you’ll wind up with a salad that’s full of juice.
- Coconut meat shredded: To bring out the natural tastes of the coconut shreds, you should toast them. In addition, it lends a touch of crunch to the salad, which works well with the sweetness of the pineapples and oranges.
- The cool whip: Because of this, this fruit salad has an unbeatable combination of sweetness and creaminess. You are, of course, more than welcome to whisk up some whipped topping on your own. You just need heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract for this pioneer woman recipe.
- Cream of tartar: If you’re used to eating Ambrosia salad with whipped cream, you’re going to be shocked to learn that fruit pieces taste wonderful when they’re combined with sour cream. If you think it’s strange to put a tangy dressing over fruit salad, you don’t have to worry about really tasting the sour cream because it won’t be present in the dish. The only effect it has is to lessen the sweetness of the fruits.
- Mini-marshmallows: Your fruit salad will have a more fascinating texture thanks to these teeny-tiny treats that have a pillowy consistency. In addition, it is delicious when combined with sour cream, as the combination produces a fantastic harmony of tastes.

How To Make Pioneer Woman Ambrosia Salad?
- Mix in a bowl the shredded coconut, marshmallows, pineapple, and mandarin oranges, and then fold in the Cool Whip.
- If you like, you may also add marshmallows and sour cream to the mixture.
- Put the bowl of ingredients into the refrigerator and cover it with plastic wrap. This will let the flavors meld together.
- Put in the refrigerator for at least two hours to let the flavors blend.
- The flavor is enhanced even further after being stored in the refrigerator for an entire night.
Recipe Tips & Tricks
- Add extra fresh fruits to your salad for a more invigorating and revitalizing taste. Using low-fat or non-fat sour cream is another strategy for cutting calories. However, you should not forget to include the marshmallows. Because of its one-of-a-kind consistency, no other substance can be used in its stead.
- You may enhance the flavor of your Ambrosia salad by using some nutmeg or cinnamon in the recipe. Yum!
- Be careful not to overmix the fruit; instead, mix it lightly so that it maintains its wonderful crisp texture.
- Because oranges are so delicate and prone to falling apart, you should wait to add them until after you have well combined the other ingredients.
- Do you not have any sour cream in your possession? Use Greek yogurt instead. It’s a healthier option that doesn’t sacrifice any of the delicious flavors!
- To add a satisfying crunch to your Ambrosia, you may sprinkle some chopped pecans, pistachios, cashews, walnuts, or almonds over the top of it. To release all of their amazing tastes, you should begin by toasting them in a pan.
- We recommend using different colored small marshmallows to make your children interested in eating fruit if you want them to take part in all of the eating that is going on.
- If you are going to add Maraschino cherries to your fruit salad, you might want to hold off on doing so until just before you serve it, unless you don’t mind the cream becoming a bright red color when it comes in contact with the cherries.
- Do you want a more decadent sweet treat? Instead of using sour cream, try substituting a mixture of whipped cream and cream cheese.

Ingredients to Mix-In:
Additional Ambrosia Salad Recipe from Pioneer Woman is going to be a wonderful complement to this ambrosia salad. In the event that you choose to include more fresh fruit in the salad, you will need to dry the fruit well before using it in the salad.
- Mango
- Strawberry
- Kiwi
- Grapes
- Banana
- Pistachios
- Walnuts
- Cashews
Do You Taste The Sour Cream In Ambrosia Salad?
The answer that should be given is “no.” You don’t even come close. It does lessen the sweetness overall, guaranteeing that your teeth will not become damaged as a result (ha). On the other hand, you will not be able to recognize it as a separate element of the meal on its own.
Do I Have To Use Coconut?
No. If you truly cannot stand the flavor of coconut, you have the option of omitting the shredded coconut from the ambrosia; despite this, coconut is a traditional ingredient that is used in this delicacy.
Can I Use Sugar-Free Options?
The fruits themselves have natural sugars that have been created by the environment. If, on the other hand, you want to lower the quantity of sugar in your diet, you can look for canned fruit that is preserved in juice but does not include any added sugar. You may get this type of fruit at the grocery store. In addition to that, a whipped topping that is free of sugar may be obtained.
What To Serve With Pioneer Woman Ambrosia Salad?
Simply prepared, this Ambrosia Salad from The Pioneer Woman is a wonderful summertime snack or side dish.
- Ice cream
- Cheeseburger Sliders
- Grilled vegetables
- Vegetable Lasagna With White Sauce
- Corn on the cob
- Bierocks
- Caprese sandwiches
- Gluten-Free Pizza
- Portobello mushroom burgers
- Chicken Melts
- Bbq jackfruit sandwiches
- Butternut Squash Ravioli
- Veggie burgers
What Kinds Of Fruit Are Used In Ambrosia Salad?
You can’t go wrong with pineapple or mandarin oranges when it comes to canned fruits, but you also have the option of purchasing a fruit cocktail. Although I’m not sure if it’s considered to be traditional, one of my favorite things to put in my salad is some fresh fruit. The salad benefits from the addition of one apple that has been peeled, cored and sliced.

Can You Make Pioneer Woman Ambrosia Salad In Advance?
The Ambrosia salad from The Pioneer Woman does not have a very long shelf life. When you boil it down to its essential components, it’s just fruit and whipped cream.
You should start making it at least a few hours before you intend to serve it. On the other hand, I wouldn’t recommend making it the night before, particularly if you intend to serve it during a celebratory lunch (like Easter). The fruit loses its shine after a night in the refrigerator, and the whipped cream begins to degrade after it has been sitting there for so long.
If you have any leftovers, I prefer to consume mine within the next two days. It may remain edible for up to three days if you are fortunate, but the typical length of time I keep it is two. I would not offer it at a party after a day in the fridge, but it’s good for snacking!
How Long Pioneer Woman Ambrosia Salad Last In The Fridge?
The Pioneer Woman’s Ambrosia Salad will remain edible for approximately three days if stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator after being consumed. The remaining ambrosia fruit salad can also be baked in a dish if you prefer this method of preparation. Place it in the freezer once you have sealed it with a cover to prevent any air from entering.
How To Freeze Pioneer Woman Ambrosia Salad?
It is possible to keep fruit salad in the freezer for up to five months, but the length of time that it can be kept there is contingent on the kind of fruits that are used to make the salad. You may either Pioneer Woman Ambrosia Salad Recipe freeze it in mixed bags or a Pioneer Woman Ambrosia Salad Recipe simple syrup. You can choose either path.
FAQ Section
The reason why ambrosia salad is also known as the dish of the gods is not that it bestows eternal life on whoever consumes a mouthful of it, but rather because of its indescribably heavenly flavor. Oranges, pineapples, and shredded coconut are the three types of fruit that go into the creation of ambrosia salad.
When they were more difficult to get, the components were seen as being luxurious and unusual. The ambrosia salad was a delicacy that was only offered on holidays and other rare occasions. It got its name from the divine feast that the Greek and Roman gods consumed.
If you’ve never had an Ambrosia salad before, then you have no idea what you’ve been missing out on in your life. Typically, ambrosia is made composed of a variety of canned fruits that are folded into a whipped topping. It is not uncommon to discover nut pieces or shredded coconut among the contents of these packages.
Ambrosia Salad Nutrition Facts
Amount Per Serving
- Calories 79
- Total Fat 0.3g
- Saturated Fat 0.1g
- Cholesterol 0mg
- Sodium 21mg
- Potassium 359mg
- Total Carbohydrate 20g
- Protein 12g
- Vitamin A 46%
- Vitamin C 64%
- Calcium 1.1%
- Iron 2.1%
Nutrition Facts Source: Source

Pioneer Woman Ambrosia Salad Recipe
Description
The Pioneer Woman’s Ambrosia Salad Recipe is both incredibly simple to put together and consistently well received during get-togethers with extended family. This luscious dessert is made with shredded coconut, marshmallows, shredded coconut, crushed pineapple, and mandarin oranges, along with whipped topping. It is ideal for potlucks, parties, barbecues, and other types of get-togethers. Also works well as a pleasant and reviving dessert on any day of the week.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Mix in a bowl the shredded coconut, marshmallows, pineapple, and mandarin oranges, and then fold in the Cool Whip.
- If you like, you may also add marshmallows and sour cream to the mixture.
- Put the bowl of ingredients into the refrigerator and cover it with plastic wrap. This will let the flavors meld together.
- Put in the refrigerator for at least two hours to let the flavors blend.
- The flavor is enhanced even further after being stored in the refrigerator for an entire night.
Notes
- Add extra fresh fruits to your salad for a more invigorating and revitalizing taste. Using low-fat or non-fat sour cream is another strategy for cutting calories. However, you should not forget to include the marshmallows. Because of its one-of-a-kind consistency, no other substance can be used in its stead.
- You may enhance the flavor of your Ambrosia salad by using some nutmeg or cinnamon in the recipe. Yum!
- Be careful not to overmix the fruit; instead, mix it lightly so that it maintains its wonderful crisp texture.
- Because oranges are so delicate and prone to falling apart, you should wait to add them until after you have well combined the other ingredients.
- Do you not have any sour cream in your possession? Use Greek yogurt instead. It’s a healthier option that doesn’t sacrifice any of the delicious flavors!
- To add a satisfying crunch to your Ambrosia, you may sprinkle some chopped pecans, pistachios, cashews, walnuts, or almonds over the top of it. To release all of their amazing tastes, you should begin by toasting them in a pan.
- We recommend using different colored small marshmallows to make your children interested in eating fruit if you want them to take part in all of the eating that is going on.
- If you are going to add Maraschino cherries to your fruit salad, you might want to hold off on doing so until just before you serve it, unless you don’t mind the cream becoming a bright red color when it comes in contact with the cherries.
- Do you want a more decadent sweet treat? Instead of using sour cream, try substituting a mixture of whipped cream and cream cheese.
Servings 10
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 79
- Calories from Fat 2.5
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 0.3g1%
- Saturated Fat 0.1g1%
- Trans Fat 0g
- Cholesterol 0mg
- Sodium 21mg1%
- Potassium 359mg11%
- Total Carbohydrate 20g7%
- Dietary Fiber 1.3g6%
- Sugars 18g
- Protein 1.2g3%
- Vitamin A 46 IU
- Vitamin C 64 mg
- Calcium 1.1 mg
- Iron 2.1 mg
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.