Ambrosia Salad with Jello

This ambrosia fruit salad recipe is always at our holiday dinners and potlucks. It is creamy, delicious and made with different types of fruit. This is the perfect fruit salad to enjoy year round.

No matter how you serve this dish, it is always the first to go. Make it for you next family gathering for a classic dish. If you love jello salads try Raspberry Jello Salad, Watergate Salad and Mandarin Orange Jello Salad.

What is Ambrosia Salad?

Ambrosia salad can be made in many different ways. It usually made with a mixture of canned pineapple, gelatin and whipped cream. Some recipes make it without jell-o.

But we love the way the mixture sets after it has chilled. Slice and serve a helping at your next holiday dinner.

The reason why it is called ambrosia is because ambrosia means beautiful. It is also associated with fruit from Greek Mythology.

Ingredients

Scroll to the bottom for the full recipe in the recipe card.

Additions and Substitutions

There are many different recipes on ways you can make this classic recipes. You can easily change this recipe by omitting the gelatin if you prefer.

Here are some additions that you can add to add flavor and texture.

• Chopped Pecans
• Chopped Walnuts
• Pineapple Tidbits – Use any type of fruit
• Strawberries
• Cherry
• Grapes
• Bananas
• Maraschino Cherries

If you prefer you can also change the whipped topping mixture. Make it with Greek Yogurt or sour cream. You can also use homemade whipped cream if you prefer.

How to Make Ambrosia Salad with Jello

• Step 1 – Drain Pineapple – Drain the juice off the pineapple and place in a 1 cup measuring cup. If the juice does not fill up the cup completely, add in water until it’s full. 

Step 2 – Dissolve Gelatin – Place the gelatin mix in a large bowl.  Add the boiling water and stir until the mix is completely dissolved. Stir in the pineapple juice and water mixture.  Refrigerate the mixture for 1 hour until it thickens.

Step 3 – Stir in Cool Whip – Stir in the cool whip and mix until well blended. Refrigerate for approximately 15 more minutes. 

Step 4 – Add in Ingredients – Stir the pineapple, oranges, marshmallows and coconut into the jello mixture. 

Step 5 – Pour Mixture – Pour the mixture into the prepared Bundt pan or mold. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours. 

• Step 6 – Release Mold – Fill your sink with hot water.  Carefully place the bottom half of the pan in the water. For 30-40 seconds and then invert the pan onto a serving plate to release the mold. 
• Step 7 – Serve – Then the salad is ready to serve and enjoy.

Recipe Tips

• Pineapple Juice – If using canned crushed pineapple, drain the juice from the can. It needs to make one cup, if it doesn’t you can add in water.
• Dissolve the Gelatin – Stir the gelatin into the boiling water until it is completely dissolved.
• Refrigerate – Make sure to refrigerate the gelatin for about an hour or until it thickens.
• Prepare Pan – Spray the pan with cooking spray as it will help the mold to remove easier.
• Chill – This fruit salad recipe is best after it has chilled for at least 4 hours.
• Frozen Whipped Toppings – We recommend thawing the cool whip before mixing in with the other ingredients.