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This 5 Cup Salad is a must try at any family dinner or holiday gathering. It is simple to make but so delicious and sure to impress friends and family.
This is the absolute best 5 Cup Salad Recipe! I don’t know about you, but this easy fruit salad recipe is a must to have at our Christmas celebration and one of our favorite Thanksgiving Salad Recipes.
Growing up as a child I didn’t know what was so special about it, but now I can’t eat enough. It is such a classic recipe. This salad is just one of those recipes that you look forward to and the holidays don’t seem the same if it is missing. Give this a try and start a yummy family tradition! You may also like Orange Fluff, Strawberry Fluff Salad, and Pineapple Fluff.
Table of Contents
Why We Love This Recipe
This is truly the easiest salad and so delicious. If you can toss a few ingredients into a bowl, you can make this easy fruit salad recipe. This is the perfect fruit salad to make for the holidays, pot lucks and any time you want something amazing but easy to make!
I love this salad because it just so easy with the few simple ingredients. It is easy to feed a crowd and everyone always loves this easy fruit salad side dish.
Ingredients
- Canned Pineapple Chunks – Drain the pineapple
- Marshmallows – We used Mini Marshmallows
- Maraschino Cherries (I cut mine in half)- Some love the coconut but cherries give it that delicious flavor and it adds a little pop of color.
Scroll to the bottom for the full recipe and ingredients in the recipe card.
Variations Ideas
- Coconut Flakes – Now if you want a slightly different twist you can use 1 cup of coconut instead of cherries, but I prefer the cherries.
- Additions – You can easily make this your own and add chopped pecans, whipped cream, fruit cocktail and more to the ambrosia salad recipe. There are lots of variations and they are all so quick and easy.
- Yogurt – Try adding Greek yogurt or vanilla yogurt instead of sour cream and a little powdered sugar and cool whip. Yum!
How to Make 5 Cup Salad
Step 1 – First, you need a large mixing bowl. Add the marshmallows, pineapple, and sour cream.
Step 2 – Stir this until it is well combined.
Step 3 – Then fold in the mandarin oranges. Make sure to gently fold these in.
Step 4 – I prefer to slice the cherries in half. Once they are all cut, carefully fold them into the fruit salad mixture.
- Step 5 – Now, just cover and put in the fridge for at least a hour before serving. Enjoy! It is best served cold.
Expert Tips
- Combining Ingredients – Mix the ingredients until everything is combined. If you mix the salad too much, it will turn pink.
- Serving – This 5 Cup Salad is best served cold. If you are not serving it then we recommend stored in the fridge.
- Pineapple – Don’t forget to drain the pineapple juice. We used tidbits but you could also use pineapple chunks.
How Long Does it Last in the Fridge?
This salad is perfect to store in the refrigerator in an airtight container or in a bowl covered with plastic wrap. The leftovers will last for about 3-4 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, this 5-Cup Fruit Salad is also called ambrosia salad because the ingredients were exotic.
This salad can be served as a side dish or on the dessert table. It is always on our table for Easter, Christmas and Thanksgiving.
Yes! In fact, I think this salad is best after the flavors have blended overnight. Everything just comes together perfectly. You are going to love it!
The sour cream blends with the marshmallows and delicious fruit for a sweet and delicious fruit salad. I think the sour cream gives it the best flavor and balances out the sweetness. Plus, when you make it ahead of time, it is even better.
I also think it is so helpful during the holidays that you can make this ahead of time. I actually think it is better after it has been sitting awhile in the fridge and the flavors really blend together.
More Easy Fruit Salad Recipes
Easy Side Dishes
Easy Tropical Fruit Salad Recipe
Easy No Bake
Cheesecake Fruit Salad Recipe
Easy Snacks to Make
Red White and Blue Fruit Salad
We love to hear from you. If you make 5 Cup Salad Recipe, please leave us a comment or a star review.
5 Cup Salad
Ingredients
- 1 cup canned pineapple chunks drained (I used the tidbits)
- 1 cup small mini marshmallows
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup mandarin oranges
- 1 cup maraschino cherries I cut mine in half
Instructions
- In a large bowl mix together place one cup of marshmallows, 1 cup of pineapple, and 1 cup of sour cream until combine.
- Fold in 1 cup of mandarin oranges.
- Once combined slice cherries in half and carefully fold into the mixture.
- If you mix too much the fruit salad will turn pink.
- Place in the fridge for at least one hour before serving.Serve cold and enjoy!
I always make my 5 cup salad into a 6 cup salad because i always put a cup of green grapes into the mix…my mother-in-law didn’t like coconut so she put in the green grapes instead but my family likes both so i use both…i think it needs the sweeten coconut. My son loves those cherries so next time might use those instead of the grapes.
Thank you for posting this recipe. It’s just like my Nana, and great grandmother used to make. Just wondered if, I put the cherries AND coconut, how much do I put of each? I’m gonna try it with 1/2 cup each. Thanks again, n have a Happy Thanksgiving!