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Fruit Salad with Sour Cream

This creamy fruit salad with sour cream is an easy recipe for special occasions and family gatherings. And you can mix it the night before to have a perfect dish the next day.

Main image for fruit salad with sour cream

You read that title correctly. It might seem like a strange ingredient to make a fruit salad recipe with sour cream. I was surprised when I found out you mixed sour cream and marshmallows to make this dish.

But fruit salad with sour cream is one of those great recipes you will come back to again and again.

Yes, this delicious fruit salad is made with sour cream. And I promise you won’t even miss the cool whip or cream cheese one bit.

In fact, this recipe is so good that sometimes it is referred to as an ambrosia recipe.

In Greek mythology, the word ambrosia meant food of the gods. That means this ambrosia salad recipe is such a refreshing side dish with its sweetness of the fruit and creamy texture that it is a great dish to serve to anyone you love.

And the best part is, you can make it the day before you need it. So you might call it a magical 24 hour fruit salad with marshmallows and sour cream recipe.

sour cream and marshmallows in a bowl

What is a fruit salad?

Fruit salad is a variety of fresh fruit served in a bowl. It is the best way to have an easy first course or a perfect dessert.

This fruit salad with sour cream covers the fruit in a creamy dressing that gives a nice contrast of flavor to the sweet fruit.

What ingredients are in Sour Cream Fruit Salad?

  • Sour Cream: this will absorb the sweetness from the miniature marshmallows to give you a great creamy salad
  • Mini marshmallows: this gives you a marshmallowy bowl of heaven when mixed with the other types of fruits
  • Pineapple Tidbits: drain these really well before adding to this classic recipe
  • Mandarin Oranges: canned have a different flavor than small fresh oranges, so to keep this an easy fruit salad be sure to use the canned oranges
  • Shredded Sweetened Coconut: coconut flakes give texture and flavor to this mixed fruit salad
pineapple, oranges and coconut added to  marshmallow mixture.

How to make Fruit Salad with Sour Cream?

  1. Combine sour cream and marshmallows in a large bowl then let sit.
  2. Add in drained pineapple, drained oranges and coconut then mix well.
  3. Cover and refrigerate 2 hours or overnight.
  4. Serve and enjoy!

How to keep Marshmallow Fruit Salad?

To keep fruit salad with sour cream fresh, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve it. The longer it sits at room temperature, the more soggy and old it will become.

salad after marinating overnight

Is Fruit Salad with Sour Cream sour?

No sour cream fruit salad is not sour. The fruit salad sour cream mixes with the sugar of the marshmallows and fruit so that you might get a hint of tang, but it does not taste sour at all. It’s actually an old secret from grandma on how to make a fruit salad without whipped cream taste sweet!

How long does this fruit salad last?

This Fruit salad recipe with sour cream can last 3-4 days when stored in the fridge. If you let it sit, the marshmallows can get soggy, and sometimes liquid pools at the bottom of the dish.

Just add some fresh marshmallows to the salad and stir to help absorb the liquid and freshen up the dish.

side view of fruit salad in serving bowl

Is Fruit Salad with Sour Cream healthy?

Yes, fruit salad with marshmallows and sour cream can be healthy! It has protein, fruit, and fiber. But also it isn’t the most healthy thing you can eat, so be sure to pay attention to your portion sizes.

If you want to make it even more healthy, trade the sour cream for plain Greek yogurt. They have similar textures and flavors that will give you a sour cream fruit salad with a little more health benefits.

Pro Tip: While you can also use regular plain yogurt or even vanilla yogurt, it will change the flavors and textures of this sour cream fruit salad recipe. Sometimes it makes it too sweet, other times too runny depending on the brand of yogurt. For best results, make it as written.

photo taken from the top looking down of salad. Spoon scooping a portion out of bowl

Is Fruit Salad with Sour Cream gluten free?

Yes, this sour cream fruit salad recipe is naturally gluten free. It’s a good idea to check the labels of the packaged and canned ingredients you use.

But this is a safe recipe to make for your guests who need to eat gluten free.

Can you freeze Sour Cream Fruit Salad?

No you cannot freeze this 24 hour fruit salad with marshmallows and sour cream. Frozen fruit freezes into a soupy mess with no crunch or texture. And sour cream will separate as it thaws.

For best results, eat this fruit salad with marshmallows and sour cream dish fresh.

side view of an individual portion of fruit salad with sour cream

Can dogs eat Fruit Salad with Sour Cream?

‌It is not a good idea to feed your dog this vintage sour cream fruit salad. The acid from the mandarin oranges can upset their stomach, and many dogs are lactose intolerant which means the sour cream will upset them.

Also since this is a marshmallow fruit salad, there is a lot of extra sugar that affects dogs more intensely than humans. It’s better not to feed this to your pup.

single serving of fruit salad in a bowl

More Fruit Salads You’ll Love…

Fruit salad with sour cream is a delicious salad that is a family favorite recipe. You can make it all year long with canned fruits that give great flavor for a fun dessert salad anytime.

Yield: 6 Servings

Fruit Salad with Sour Cream

photo taken from the top looking down of salad. Spoon scooping a portion out of bowl

This creamy fruit salad with sour cream is an easy recipe for special occasions and family gatherings. And you can mix it the night before to have a perfect dish the next day.

Prep Time 20 minutes
Additional Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 20 minutes

Instructions

  1. In a serving bowl, combine sour cream and marshmallows. Mix well and let sit for 10 minutes.
  2. After 10 minutes, add in drained pineapple, drained oranges and coconut. Mix well.
  3. Cover and refrigerate 2 hours or overnight.
  4. Serve and enjoy!

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

6

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 198Total Fat: 12gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 23mgSodium: 60mgCarbohydrates: 24gFiber: 2gSugar: 17gProtein: 2g

Sharing is caring!

Tammy

Wednesday 27th of November 2024

Add maraschino cherries. So good!

Sandra

Sunday 18th of August 2024

Made this salad over the weekend for a family gathering and it was a hit! Everyone loved it!

Erin | Dinners, Dishes and Dessert

Thursday 15th of August 2024

Just made this for a potluck and it was surprisingly good! The sour cream balances the sweetness perfectly! I've gotten so many compliments!

Krystle Smith

Thursday 15th of August 2024

The sour cream adds such a nice tangy twist to the sweetness of the fruit.

Amanda

Thursday 15th of August 2024

The combination of sweet and tangy in this recipe is amazing!

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