The Best Ambrosia Salad Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What are the ingredients for an ambrosia salad? ›

Directions. Place marshmallows, coconut, oranges, cherries, whipped topping, pineapple, fruit cocktail, nuts, nutmeg, and cinnamon into a large serving bowl; mix until well combined. Place in the refrigerator to chill for 30 to 45 minutes before serving.

Most ambrosia recipes contain canned (often sweetened) or fresh pineapple, canned mandarin orange slices or fresh orange sections, miniature marshmallows, and coconut. Other ingredients might include various fruits and nuts: maraschino cherries, bananas, strawberries, peeled grapes, or crushed pecans.

When it simply comes to enjoying the familiar taste of Southern-style ambrosia, this real food version is a satisfying treat that provides a great dose of probiotics, as well as a healthy boost of nutrition!

Nutrition Facts

1 cup: 370 calories, 20g fat (14g saturated fat), 14mg cholesterol, 101mg sodium, 48g carbohydrate (43g sugars, 2g fiber), 4g protein.

Ambrosia was so named for the food of the Greek and Roman gods. Its region of origin is lost to history. Its ties to the South are strong, though some believe it began in Vermont or elsewhere in New England.

Consisting of pistachio pudding, Cool Whip, nuts, and pineapple, the dish was probably never actually served at the Watergate Hotel. It is rumored to have been given its new name because of its similarity to Watergate cake, which was also bright green and made with pistachio pudding and whipped cream.

Since ambrosia is made of fruit and marshmallows, it has a sweet but tangy flavor. If you decide to add nuts and/or sweetened shredded coconut, it will have those flavors layered in, too.

And, though we are free to enjoy ambrosia today, mythology dictated that mortals would face death if they dared to eat the gods' ambrosia or drink their divine nectars.

About The Fruit

Its flavor is best described as refreshing with floral notes and a pleasant crisp, fine-grained flesh. It's very sweet with very little acidity. Ambrosia is an apple that naturally doesn't brown quickly after being sliced, making it perfect for snacks or salads. You can cook with it too!

The salad is typically composed of lettuce, pineapple, banana, cherry, and either mayonnaise or, according to some recipes, cottage cheese. Whipped cream may also be used.

Where is ambrosia salad popular? ›

This divisive dish is most popular in the American South. Though it has a somewhat “retro” reputation, it is still served up for holidays and special occasions to this day.

Beat cream cheese and sugar together in a large bowl with an electric mixer. Mix in whipped topping on high speed until incorporated. Fold in pineapple, fruit cocktail, bananas, apple, coconut, pecans, raisins, and cherries. Transfer to a serving bowl, cover, and chill for at least 1 hour before serving.

Stir in rum, orange juice, pineapple juice, and a splash of grenadine.

Ambrosia was so named for the food of the Greek and Roman gods. Its region of origin is lost to history. Its ties to the South are strong, though some believe it began in Vermont or elsewhere in New England.

A blush pinky red apple with a pale yellow background. Ambrosia™'s sweetness doesn't actually mean it has a higher sugar content, it's low fruit acidity means we simply perceive it as sweeter.

Most leafy vegetables that can be eaten raw are used: all varieties of lettuce, garden cress and watercress, endives, cabbage, spinach, escarole, romaine (cos), arugula, and fresh herbs. Other vegetables, raw or cooked—tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, peppers, beets, and so on—may garnish the green salad.