Potluck Ambrosia Salad Recipe – A Creamy, Fruity, Crowd-Pleasing Dessert
Potluck Ambrosia is a creamy fruit salad made with pineapple, mandarin oranges, cherries, mini marshmallows, coconut, and a fluffy whipped dressing. It's a quick, no-bake recipe that's perfect for holidays, potlucks, barbecues, and family dinners. Chilling the salad enhances the flavors and creates a light, refreshing dessert everyone loves. Easy to customize with your favorite fruits and mix-ins, this classic recipe is both nostalgic and crowd-pleasing. It’s an effortless dessert that always earns compliments.
Ingredients
- 1 (20-ounce) can pineapple chunks, drained
- 2 (15-ounce) cans mandarin oranges, drained
- 1 cup maraschino cherries, drained and halved
- 2 cups mini marshmallows
- 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 (8-ounce) container whipped topping, thawed
- ½ cup plain or vanilla Greek yogurt (optional, for added creaminess)
Instructions
- Drain all canned fruit thoroughly to prevent excess liquid.
- Pat the cherries dry with paper towels.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the pineapple, mandarin oranges, cherries, marshmallows, and shredded coconut.
- In a separate bowl, gently fold together the sour cream, whipped topping, and Greek yogurt until smooth.
- Pour the creamy mixture over the fruit.
- Fold gently until everything is evenly coated.
- Stir in the chopped nuts if using.
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.
- Garnish with extra cherries, coconut, or orange slices just before serving.
Notes
- Drain the fruit thoroughly to keep the salad creamy.
- Fresh fruit may be substituted for canned fruit.
- Chill before serving for the best texture.
- Fold gently to keep the whipped topping fluffy.
- Add nuts just before serving to maintain crunch.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator.
- Best enjoyed within 2–3 days.
- Do not freeze, as the texture may change after thawing.