SearchSearch
  • Subscribe
  • My Bookmarks
  • Member Exclusives
  • Country Life
  • Holiday & Entertaining
  • Food & Drinks
  • Kids & Pets
  • Design Ideas
  • Real Estate
  • Remodeling & Renovation
  • Gardening
  • Home Maintenance
  • Crafts & DIY Projects
  • Country Living Shop
  • Shopping Guides
  • Country Living Fair
  • Newsletter
  • Follow
  • Promotions
  • Other Editions
Privacy NoticeTerms Of Use
Skip to Content
Newsletter Sign UpNewsletter
sign in
Subscribe
Logo
sign in
Subscribe
Search
Logo
  • HomesDown
  • Gardening and OutdoorsDown
  • Antiques and CollectiblesDown
  • RecipesDown
  • Entertainment NewsDown
  • ShoppingDown
  • About UsDown
  • Crafts and DIYDown
  • TravelDown
  • Pets
  • My BookmarksMy Bookmarks
  • NewsletterNewsletter
  • USUSDown
  • Privacy NoticeTerms Of Use
x
youtube
facebook
instagram
pinterest
sign in
Subscribe
  • Homes
  • Gardening and Outdoors
  • Antiques and Collectibles
  • Recipes
  • Entertainment News
  • Shopping
  • About Us
  • Crafts and DIY
  • Travel
  • Pets
  • More
  1. Recipes
  2. Fresh Ambrosia Salad

Fresh Ambrosia Salad

Skip the candy flavors and make this slightly more healthful holiday side!

By Charlyne MattoxPublished: Dec 3, 2024
Star
Be the first to review!
Arrow Circle Down IconJump to recipe
bowl of mixed fruit salad with mint leaves on a striped tablecloth
Becky Luigart-Stayner
Yields:
4 serving(s)
Prep Time:
15 mins
Total Time:
15 mins

Ambrosia is such a classic holiday dish—but it's also a little much.

The tiny marshmallows, globs of whipped cream, and can after can of syrup-soaked artificially colored fruit puts it firmly in the dessert category—and there are much more fun Christmas desserts to be had out there.

If you're craving a holiday fruit salad that's plenty sweet, but much fresher tasting, try this take on Ambrosia. It's still simple to make, but the combo of toasted coconut strips, fresh fruit and mint, and a touch of rum makes for a grownup flavor that's all yum.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup coconut strips, such as these
  • 4 large oranges, such as navel and Caracara
  • 1/2 fresh pineapple, cut into 3/4-inch pieces
  • 3 Tbsp. chopped fresh mint
  • 1 Tbsp. good quality rum

Directions

    1. Step 1Preheat oven to 350°F. Spread coconut on a rimmed baking sheet and bake until golden brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Cool completely 
    2. Step 2Cut away the peel and pith from oranges. Working over a bowl, hold an orange in your hand and use a paring knife to carefully remove the segments by cutting between the membranes; discard membranes. Stir together coconut, orange segments, pineapple, mint, and rum in a bowl.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Recipes

A colorful fruit and vegetable salad with herbs and cheese, garnished with chili flakes, served in a blue patterned bowl.

This Fresh Melon Salad Is Made for Backyard Dinner

Tacos with grilled beef, sautéed peppers, lime wedges, and sides of avocado, green onion, and sour cream on a colorful table setting.

7 Meals You Can Make Without Turning on Your Oven

A vibrant salad with peaches, tomatoes, pistachios, and onions on a red platter, served on a rustic wooden table.

6 Fresh Tomato Recipes to Make This Summer

Colorful vegetable salad with corn, peppers, okra, and herbs topped with crumbled cheese in a serving dish.

This Easy Skillet Side Is Packed with Fresh Flavor

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Mint chocolate chip ice cream in a metal tub with a wooden scoop and two silver spoons on a checkered towel.

How to Make Fresh Mint Chip Ice Cream

Green plate special

The Best Way to Cut Corn Off the Cob

A person serving grilled meat with green sauce on a plate, alongside various side dishes and drinks on a wooden table.

How to Make Juicy Pork Chops

Grilled shrimp on toast topped with herbs and vegetables, served with lemon, alongside a bouquet of flowers.

How to Make Grilled Tomato and Shrimp Toast

Two cocktails garnished with cherry tomatoes on red coasters, with fresh tomatoes in the background on a wooden table.

This Tomato Martini Is the Drink of the Summer

Golden pastry filled with tomatoes, surrounded by fresh tomatoes on a rustic wooden table with a red-checkered cloth.

Cheddar-Tomato Hand Pies

ripe banana recipes

14 Easy Ideas to Use Up Overripe Bananas

Spaghetti with tomato sauce, basil, and cheese served in a dish with a decorative napkin and fresh basil nearby.

Spaghetti with Grated Tomato Sauce

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Logo
x
youtube
facebook
instagram
pinterest
NewsletterAbout UsMedia KitPress RoomContact UsCommunity GuidelinesAdvertise OnlineCustomer ServiceSubscribeTurn Off Web NotificationsEvents and Promotions
Hearst Lifestyle and Design Group - A Part of Hearst Digital Media

A Part of Hearst Digital Media

We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back.

©2026 Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Privacy NoticeCA Notice at CollectionYour CA Privacy Rights/Shine the LightDAA Industry Opt OutTerms of UseSite Map
Cookies Choices