Best Potluck Salads: Ambrosia Salad (+More Tasty Recipes!)
Best potluck salads for serving a crowd: A full collection of my tried and true salad recipes that are easy to prepare and always delicious! From leafy green salads to creamy dessert salads, there's something here for everyone! Instead of showing up empty-handed, just grab a quick dish off this list of recipes!
Combine the thawed 8 oz Cool Whip topping and ½ cup sour cream in a large mixing bowl.
8 oz Cool Whip, ½ cup sour cream
Add the drained 11 oz mandarin oranges, 15 oz pineapple tidbits, sliced 10-12 oz maraschino cherries, 1 cup mini marshmallows, 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut, and optional ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans if using. Fold the fruit into the whipped cream mixture.
11 oz mandarin oranges, 15 oz pineapple tidbits, 10-12 oz maraschino cherries, 1 cup mini marshmallows, 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut, ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans
Cover the bowl with plastic cling film and chill for at least one hour before serving. I prefer to chill the ambrosia at least 4 hours, giving the flavors more time to marry while the fruit salad chills.
Serve with additional coconut (toasted coconut is a nice touch), additional cherries on top, and/or some extra marshmallows if desired.
Notes
For the canned fruits (mandarin oranges, pineapple chunks, tidbits, or crushed pineapple), you just need at least 1 cup of each fruit once well drained of liquid.
If your creamy salad is too runny, add a bit more shredded coconut or some more of the crushed nuts to balance out the mixture, then chill before serving.
You can substitute the Cool Whip or sour cream with your favorite dairy-free alternatives if you'd like for this salad to be dairy-free.
If you're not a fan of marshmallows or want a healthier alternative, you can try using Greek yogurt. Keep in mind this will change the texture and taste of the salad.
If you'd like to make this dessert in advance, you can prepare it up to a day in advance. In fact, some people prefer it after it's been allowed to chill and the flavors meld together.
To store: Store your leftover ambrosia salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. However, keep in mind that the texture may slightly change as the fruits release moisture over time. It's best to consume it within the first day or two for the freshest taste and texture.