A lighter version of Ambrosia Fruit Salad made with a Greek yogurt-based dressing. This beautiful fruit salad is a must for your Holiday table!
Ambrosia salad is one of my absolute favorite holiday dishes. The classic fruit salad has a very old-fashioned feel to me now. It’s the kind of dish that makes me want to break out my crystal.
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The family recipe that inspired this post was a classic southern ambrosia fruit salad, made with a mixture of fruit tossed in a decadent dressing consisting of heavy whipping cream and homemade mayonnaise.
What makes this version “healthier”?
- Swapping yogurt for some of the mayonnaise and heavy cream reduces total calories and fat.
- Omitting mini-marshmallows and choosing unsweetened coconut flakes reduces added sugars.
- Choosing canned pineapple and mandarin oranges in juices rather than heavy syrup reduces added sugars and total calories.
- If you are trying to keep it lower calorie you can use light Cool Whip.
Ingredients
A combination of fresh and canned fruit, greek yogurt, whipped topping, pecans and coconut.
- Apple - I like to choose a nice sweet pink variety of apple such as Honeycrisp, Gala or Pink Lady.
- Green Grapes - I prefer green seedless grapes cut in half. If there are going to be young children at your holiday meal, consider cutting the grapes into smaller pieces.
- Pineapple - A can of pineapple tidbits in juice, drained.
- Mandarin Oranges
- Maraschino Cherries
- Pecans
- Shredded Coconut - You can use sweetened or unsweetened shredded coconut.
- Greek Yogurt - Two containers of Coconut Greek Yogurt. I recommend Siggi’s Icelandic Skyr Coconut or Chobani Coconut flavored yogurt.
- Whipped Topping - Cool whip topping or prepared whipped cream.
Recipe Notes
- Pecans and coconut can be toasted before mixing in for added depth of flavor.
- Vanilla greek yogurt can be substituted if coconut yogurt is not available.
- Be sure to thoroughly drain all the canned fruit so your salad doesn't become too watery. I use a fine mesh colander for this.
How to make
Combine fruit
In a large mixing bowl combine apples, grapes, pineapple, mandarin oranges, cherries, pecans and coconut.
Add dressing
Starting with one container of greek yogurt, toss fruit mixture with yogurt until desired consistency of dressing is reached. Gently fold in cool whip or whipped cream.
Chill
Chill the fruit salad for at least one hour before serving. Garnish with extra pecan pieces, coconut and maraschino cherries if desired.
Tips on making the dressing
- Start by adding one container of yogurt into the fruit. The perfect ratio is probably slightly less than two full containers. Various Greek yogurts have different consistencies. Choose a thicker yogurt for best results.
- You can use either a prepared topping like Cool-Whip or mix in real heavy whipping cream. I think it is a personal preference, I like to add a little real whipped cream.
If you love Ambrosia Salad I highly encourage you to try this “lightened” holiday recipe.
📖 Recipe
Ambrosia Fruit Salad
Ingredients
- 1 medium Apple diced
- 1 cup Green Seedless Grapes halved
- 1 - 20 oz. can Pineapple Tidbits in juice drained
- 1 - 15 oz. can Mandarin Orange Segments drained
- ¼ cup Maraschino Cherries drained and quartered
- ⅓ cup Pecan pieces
- ¼ cup Shredded Coconut
- 2 - 5.3 oz. containers Coconut flavored Greek Yogurt
- ½ cup prepared Whipped Cream or Whipped Topping
Instructions
- In large bowl combine apple, grapes, pineapple, mandarin oranges, cherries, pecan and coconut. Gently toss until mixed.
- Stir in yogurt, adding one container at a time, until fruit mixture is well coated. Gently fold in whipped cream or whipped topping. If necessary, add more whipped cream to reach desired consistency.
- Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.
Notes
Side Dish or Dessert?
We always served Ambrosia with the main meal. It’s refreshing to take a bite of this between turkey, dressing and mashed potatoes. But this dish can hold its own on the dessert table too. Everyone always loves a good fruit salad!
Ambrosia Fruit Salad brings back fond memories of holidays at my Paw-Paw’s. Just barely able to see over the middle island, I distinctly remember this was the first holiday dish I ever got to help with.
More Winter Holiday Recipes:
- Bourbon Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
- Cranberry Apple Pie
- Broccoli Salad with Cranberries
- Pineapple Cream Cheese Pie
- Ancho Chile Fudge Pie
- Ricotta Cheesecake Fruit Dip
Wishing y’all a happy holiday season!
~Alaine
Lightened Ambrosia Salad was originally published in November 2015. Updated in November 2020 and October 2024 with additional photos and text.
Serena
Love the story of barely being able to see over the counter! We used to have ambrosia every once in a while growing up. And yes, it was canned fruit and lots of cream. Love this less sugar, more fresh fruit version!
Alaine
Yes, Ambrosia Salad can be such a decadent dish but it certainly doesn't have to be. Thanks for stopping by!
Dana
So proud of you Alaine!! And this recipe looks heavenly,? I love mixing things in plain organic yogurt. I'm going to pick up some skyr at whole foods.
Alaine
Thanks Dana!!
Deanna Segrave-Daly
Love the backstory to this dish - perfect colors for the holidays!
Alaine
Thank you!