Memorial Day Ambrosia Salad Is a 1 Ingredient Miracle

There s something about certain dishes that just screams holiday, isn t there? For our family, especially around Memorial Day, that dish is definitely Ambrosia Salad. Just the name brings back memories of backyard cookouts, the smell of sunscreen, and the happy buzz of family gathered together. It wasn t fancy, but it was always there, a colorful, sweet treat that everyone loved. My grandmother, bless her heart, made the best one. She always said the secret was in the gentle way you folded everything together, so the marshmallows didn t get squished!

Here at , we re all about bringing those warm, simple food memories into your busy life. We re Clara, Savana, and Alara, and we learned everything we know standing on chairs in our grandma s kitchen. We believe cooking should be fun and easy, not stressful. This Memorial Day Ambrosia Salad recipe is just like that super simple, no cooking required, and it s always a hit. It s the kind of recipe that lets you spend more time enjoying your people and less time fussing in the kitchen. Let s make some sweet memories together!

Why You ll Love This Memorial Day Ambrosia Salad

This Ambrosia Salad is one of my go-to recipes for a reason, especially when Memorial Day rolls around. It s just so easy and always makes people happy!

• First off, it s crazy quick to prep. You re looking at maybe 15 minutes before it s ready for the fridge.
• No cooking involved! That means less time over a hot stove and more time enjoying the sunshine.
• It s the perfect thing to bring to a . It travels well and everybody loves a scoop.
• It just feels like a classic holiday dessert. It has that nostalgic vibe that makes people smile.
• Plus, you can totally make it your own! Swap out fruits or add in some nuts for extra crunch.

Ingredients for Memorial Day Ambrosia Salad

Gathering your ingredients is the first step to this sweet treat. You likely have some of these on hand already!

• 1 (20 ounce) can crushed pineapple, make sure it s well drained
• 1 (15 ounce) can mandarin oranges, also drained
• 1 (10 ounce) jar maraschino cherries, drained and halved
• 1 cup miniature marshmallows
• 1/2 cup shredded coconut
• 1 cup sour cream or you can use
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar (this is optional, you can adjust it)

Equipment You ll Need

Making this Memorial Day Ambrosia Salad doesn t require fancy gadgets. You probably have everything you need right in your kitchen!

• A large mixing bowl
• A whisk or a fork

How to Make Memorial Day Ambrosia Salad

Okay, let s get to the fun part! Putting this salad together is truly a breeze. Just follow these simple steps, and you ll have a delicious treat ready in no time.

Step 1: Prepare the Fruit

First things first, grab that large mixing bowl. Carefully add your drained crushed pineapple. Add the drained mandarin oranges next. Then, toss in those halved maraschino cherries. Finally, add the cup of miniature marshmallows and the shredded coconut. Give it a little gentle stir just to combine the dry stuff.

Step 2: Whisk the Creamy Dressing

Now, let s make the magic happen with the dressing. Get your whisk and a separate small bowl. Spoon in the sour cream. If you re using Greek yogurt, that works great too! Add the powdered sugar here if you like your ambrosia a little sweeter. Whisk it all together until it looks smooth and creamy. Make sure there are no lumps!

Step 3: Combine and Gently Fold

Pour that lovely creamy dressing right over the fruit mixture in the large bowl. This is where you need to be gentle, just like my grandma taught me. Use a spoon or a spatula and gently fold everything together. You want to coat the fruit and marshmallows without smooshing them. Keep going until everything looks nicely covered.

Step 4: Chill and Serve

Once everything is coated, cover the bowl. You can use plastic wrap or a lid. Pop it in the refrigerator. It needs at least an hour to chill. This lets all those yummy flavors get to know each other. Before you serve it, give it another gentle stir. Then scoop it into bowls and enjoy your Memorial Day Ambrosia Salad!

Tips for Making the Best Ambrosia Salad

Over the years, I ve picked up a few little tricks that really make this Memorial Day Ambrosia Salad shine. They re simple, but they make a difference!

• Start with chilled ingredients. Keeping everything cold from the beginning just makes the final salad so much better.
• Taste the dressing before you add it all. If you like things sweeter, add a little more powdered sugar. You can always add more, but you can t take it away!
• Be really gentle when you re folding in the dressing. You want to coat everything without breaking up the fruit or squashing the marshmallows.
• Let it chill for at least an hour. The longer it sits, the more the flavors blend together, and the better it tastes. If you can leave it for a few hours, even better!

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

This Memorial Day Ambrosia Salad recipe is pretty forgiving, which I love! You can easily swap things around to fit what you have or what you like.

If you want a lighter version, go ahead and use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream. It gives a nice tang. Adding some chopped nuts, like pecans or walnuts, gives a great crunch. And remember, the powdered sugar is just a suggestion! Taste the dressing and add more or less depending on how sweet you like your salad.

Serving Suggestions for Ambrosia Salad

Once your Memorial Day Ambrosia Salad is perfectly chilled, it s ready to be enjoyed! I love serving it in clear glass bowls so you can see all the pretty colors.

It s also fantastic as part of a bigger . Just put out a big bowl with a serving spoon, and let everyone help themselves. It s always one of the first things to disappear!

Common Questions About Memorial Day Ambrosia Salad

I get asked a few things about this salad, so I thought I d share the answers here. Hopefully, this helps you out!

Can I use fresh fruit instead of canned? Yes, absolutely! Just make sure any fresh fruit is cut into bite-sized pieces. Drain any extra juice too.

How long does Ambrosia Salad last? Covered and chilled, it s usually good for about 3-4 days in the fridge. The marshmallows might get a little softer over time, but it still tastes great.

Can I make this ahead of time? Yes, you can make it a few hours ahead. Making it the day before is even better! It gives the flavors plenty of time to mingle.

Nutritional Information Disclaimer

Just a quick note on the nutritional info for this Memorial Day Ambrosia Salad. The numbers you see are just estimates. They can vary based on the specific brands and ingredients you use.

Enjoy Your Delicious Memorial Day Ambrosia Salad!

So there you have it! A simple, classic, and absolutely delicious Memorial Day Ambrosia Salad that s sure to bring smiles. I really hope you give this recipe a try for your next gathering. It s so easy and always a crowd-pleaser.

If you make it, please let me know how it turns out! Leave a comment below or rate the recipe. Happy cooking and happy Memorial Day!