Old Fashioned Ambrosia is a holiday favorite - it's classic and very easy to make. This version is most similar to the original, which dates back to the late 1800's when citrus fruits were first becoming more widely available. The first version of ambrosia is made without marshmallows and no cool whip or sour cream.
Ambrosia salad is simple - very simple. In fact, it's so incredibly straightforward that I was hesitant at first to post it as a recipe. However, I became convinced that it was something that should be shared after doing my own Google search.
I was genuinely astounded at what comes up on the first page of Google results! Marshmallows! Cool Whip! Sour cream?
If you enjoy something called "ambrosia" with these ingredients I won't judge you, but I would like to introduce you to the original. This is a recipe for Southern Ambrosia like it was first made. Do your own search on "ambrosia salad history" and you'll see what I mean.
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Ingredient notes
- Oranges are the most important ingredient in ambrosia. If you start with good quality, juicy, sweet oranges you can't go wrong. Keep in mind that often times the oranges with the best taste are the ones that look the ugliest. I generally find the oranges with a thick white pith have the least juice and flavor.
- Coconut Flakes - we use the type that comes in a bag. If you have the time, freshly grated coconut would be amazing.
- Maraschino Cherries - further notes about the cherries are in the FAQ's below.
- Chopped Pecans - this is an optional ingredient, but one we always add. You can find more information about adding pecans below as well.
- Sugar - Plain white granulated sugar. If your oranges taste more tart than you would like you can always add a little sugar to your ambrosia, so I've included it as an optional ingredient. Hopefully, you will be able to find oranges with enough sweetness all on their own.
Pecans as an option in ambrosia recipes
Okay, we admit it. There is one ingredient we sometimes toss in, and I suspect it has been commonly added in the deep south where pecans are king. Having grown up with pecans readily available we do love them.
Just browse around on Biscuits and Burlap and you'll find the evidence. Classic Pecan Pie is a classic example. We toss them in Salad with Peaches & Blackberries, sprinkle on top of coffee cakes, peach crumbles and cinnamon bread.
And so, yes, you will usually see a light sprinkle of pecans on our Ambrosia.
How to make ambrosia
- First you'll peel the oranges and cut into bite sized pieces.
- Stir in the sugar only if your oranges are tart.
- Stir in the coconut flakes and pecans.
- Cut the cherries in half and wrap them separately. Stir the cherries in just before serving.
FAQ's
When ingredients like cool whip and marshmallows are added it is indeed a stretch to call it "salad". Made the way we do this southern ambrosia recipe is a true fruit salad.
The earliest known versions of ambrosia from the late 1800's does not mention them. For many years though, they have been an ingredient in most every recipe you can find. They're loved for their sweet taste and bright red color. Speaking of that color, we have a word of caution for you. Don't add the cherries until the last minute. They will turn your coconut pink and you don't want that.
Made by this old fashioned but easy recipe this version without marshmallows or cool whip is considered a retro recipe.
Storing ambrosia salad
You can make it up to a full day ahead of serving, but always leave out the cherries until the last minute so they don't make everything pink.
Any leftovers can be stored an additional 2-3 days if kept tightly covered and refrigerated. Again, you will have pink coconut in your leftovers unless you remove the cherries and store them separately.
Ambrosia cannot be frozen.
If vintage southern recipes is an intriguing topic to you then you'll want to be sure and check out "Southern Food Then & Now".
If you just love citrus fruit in general you'll want to add this recipe to your rotation. Salad with Grapefruit has the perfect champagne vinaigrette to highlight the great flavor of the grapefruit.
📖 Recipe
Old Fashioned Ambrosia Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh orange pieces cut into bite sized pieces
- ¼ cup shredded coconut
- 12-15 maraschino cherries cut in half
- 1-2 teaspoons sugar optional
- ¼ cup pecans chopped, optional
Instructions
- Mix orange pieces, pecans and coconut and add sugar only if oranges are tart.
- Leave cherries wrapped separately until serving time.
- Before serving stir in cherries.
Notes
- Sugar is only added if oranges are tart.
- Store the cherry halves separately and stir in right before serving.
Nutrition
If you love serving ambrosia with brunch like we do, you'll want to consider making Blueberry Orange Nut Bread to go along with it. They pair perfectly together and all you need to add is some ham or sausage.
We hope you enjoy this simple, classic dish. Please take a photo of yours and tag us on Instagram and Facebook so we don't miss it. It makes our day when we see that you've made one of our recipes!
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Sharon cooper says
Thank for this recipe…my mother passed away in July of this year (2022) at 97 years old. This is one I failed to get from her! I’ve been in a panic, because none of the Ambrosia recipes I found were not even close to hers! This more like hers than any! She used powdered sugar,sectioned each orange slices,used fresh coconut, cherries and a sprinkle of pecans picked from her daddy’s farm! When my dad was stationed in Hawaii for seven years we had coconut trees in our yard they tasted so fresh!…Thank you again,from Florida!
Pam says
Sharon, Your message is exactly why we write this blog. Keeping those food memories alive is so important. Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts for your note. It means so much. Pam and Sara
Laura Dennison says
Thank you so much for posting this! I was immediately transported back to my grandmother's house where she always made it for special occasions. I don't remember anything but the oranges and the coconut but I always loved it. I'm taking it to our neighbors for New Years Day dinner.
Pam says
We hope everyone loved it Laura!
Dorcas Berthold says
Another thank you! My dear Great Aunt made Ambrosia and her grandchildren didn’t have the recipe. Like others I knew there was no white anything besides coconut in it. I decided to search the web one more time to look for a recipe and saw the photograph of yours. I KNEW immediately that I was home! Thank you!
Pam says
Yay! Thank you so much for letting us know. Keeping old recipes alive is a big goal of ours.
JB says
This is absolutely Ambrosia! I'm not quite sure who came up with calling the whipped topping and marshmallows "southern ambrosia" when we true southerners never made it that way. We always called that recipe Fluff. I applaud you on bringing light to this.
Carla Gowen says
My granamama made this ambrosia for both Thanksgiving and Christmas. She put grapefruit and a blood orange for color. Your picture is the closest to hers I've seen. I'm 73 and am the forth generation to make it. My granddaughters know how to make it. I'll put your recipe in our family cookbook with a picture. I have a Kelly green bowl just for the ambrosia. Thanks so much!
Pam says
We love bringing back those special memories, Carla!
Frances H Self says
I am 78 years old and I grew up with old fashioned ambrosia every thanksgiving and Christmas. It was my job to grate the fresh coconut....hard job! the only thing different from this recipe is my mother added apples. I am from Mississippi.
Pam says
We've added apples too, Frances. It all depends on what you have on hand. By the way, my mother's maiden name was Selph.
Tina Frick says
Do,you think adding peaches would be good?
Pam says
I'm sure it would be good, Tina. However, if you add peaches it becomes a different type of fruit salad - not ambrosia.
Sandy Bean says
My Mom always made ambrosia at Christmas!! It was always so delicious.
I call it a real treat . My children loves it it still today . Yes people get ambrosia and fruit salad mixed up , they really don’t the difference.. they make it easy way with canned fruit and cool whip.
Sarah says
My grandmother made it this in the drawer from her refrigerator. She made a lot. Love this!
Vidalina Rivera says
Hi. love your recipe. I add Gala apples,sour cream with powdered sugar and a drop of vanilla extract.I also drain the cherries with a little cold water, so I can mix them with the coconut and don't get pink.. Thanks for your recipes ❤️
Liz Giddens says
THIS is ambrosia! I've been looking for ambrosia recipes for years and they always have cool whip, grapefruit, or bananas. My grandmother made this exact recipe, nothing more and nothing less. Thank you for sharing this as I have taken over the job of making it every Christmas.
Pam says
Yay! Thanks Liz.
Debbie says
I look forward to trying this! My grandmother (Nannie) used to make this when I was a child. she died in 2017 at 101 years old. My husband and I have discussions about what ambrosia is. lol. This is what I think of.
Thank you!
Norma Brunson says
This is definitely the ambrosia that I grew up with! I had an aunt who lived in Tampa Florida and she had citrus trees all in her backyard - Orange, tangerine, grapefruit, satsuma, kumquats, and Myers lemons. She would make her ambrosia and put it in a big clear glass container. She would keep it on the counter! Have you ever heard of adding Brandy to this recipe?
Sylvia Mc says
Thanks for the recipe! My grandmother and mother always had Ambrosia on the table for Christmas. It was one of my favorite holiday dishes and so deceptively simple that I never did get the recipe before they were gone.
This recipe comes the closest to the way they made it (Western Mississippi/Eastern Louisiana). The only difference is they added another splash of milk or cream and a little sugar. Delicious.
Thanks again for sharing!