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Sour Cream Salad is a family favorite and a version of Ambrosia Salad. It has oranges, pineapple, cherries, marshmallows, walnuts and a sour cream and whipped cream dressing.
At each and every family gathering we had when I was a kid, this Sour Cream Salad was expected! It’s a version of the popular Ambrosia Salad, and it’s creamy texture and sweet fruits combined with crunchy walnuts are a match made in heaven!
Ingredients for Sour Cream Salad
Canned pineapple, mandarin oranges, maraschino cherries and marshmallows in a creamy dressing of sour cream and cool whip. This salad is very similar to a traditional Ambrosia salad, except we don’t use coconut and add walnuts for crunch.
Doesn’t it look yummy? It’s the perfect dessert or side dish for your next summer picnic or BBQ gathering!
How to Make Sour Cream Salad
See the recipe card below for full, detailed instructions
- Drain the canned fruits in a colander. You want as much of the liquid out as possible. I usually drain the in the sink and let them sit for about 20 minutes.
- Combine the sour cream and Cool Whip together in a large mixing bowl.
- Add the fruits, marshmallows and walnuts (if using) and gently combine with the dressing.
- Serve as a side dish for a holiday meal or as a dessert.
Expert Tips
- Drain cherries on a paper towel, then cut them in half or in quarters.
- Store salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. If it’s a little watery, give it a good stir before serving again.
- For best flavor, make ahead a couple of hours, or up to 24 hours.
More Fruit Salads to Try
Sour Cream Salad
Ingredients
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup defrosted cool whip
- 15 ounce can mandarin oranges drained
- 15 ounce can pineapple chunks drained
- 1 cup mini marshmallows
- 12 ounce jar maraschino cherries drained and roughly chopped
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
Instructions
- Mix sour cream and cool whip in a large bowl until creamy and smooth.
- Add fruits, marshmallows and nuts and fold together until mixture is combined.
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer Kristin Maxwell of “Yellow Bliss Road” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. For accurate calorie counts and other nutritional values, we recommend running the ingredients through your preferred online nutritional calculator. Calories and other nutritional values can vary depending on which brands were used.
Can I make the night before or wait and make in morning of serving day?
You can make it the night before. Just make sure to drain the fruit REALLY well, otherwise it will get watery.
Can I use whipped cream?
If you’re making fresh whipped cream, you’d want to make sure it’s stable. But it should work.
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Did this growing up! Added bananas and apples to it too! So good!!
Thanks for sharing your experience!
Can this be refrigerated over night?
Yes! It will last several days in the fridge.
Do you not need some sugar in this salad? Seems awfully sour. Thanks.
All the fruits, marshmallows and the cool whip provide plenty of sugar.