Luby’s Ambrosia Salad (Easy Copycat Recipe)

Step into any Southern kitchen during the holidays, and you’ll likely find a bowl of ambrosia salad chilling in the refrigerator. This heavenly fruit salad has graced tables for generations, but few versions compare to the legendary recipe served at Luby’s Cafeteria. Their perfectly balanced combination of sweet oranges, juicy pineapple, and tropical coconut creates a refreshing and indulgent dish. Named after the food of the gods in Greek mythology, this ambrosia truly lives up to its celestial reputation.

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Why This Recipe Works

The magic of Luby’s ambrosia lies in its simplicity and perfect balance. The natural fruit juices combine with powdered sugar to create a light syrup that combines all the flavors without overwhelming the fresh fruit taste. Chilling allows the flavors to meld beautifully, while the coconut adds textural interest and tropical sweetness.

Why You Should Try This Recipe 

There are so many great reasons to try making Ambrosia salad at home. The main reason is that it is delicious, especially when served straight from the fridge on the hottest summer days.

Then there’s the fact that it couldn’t be easier to make. If you can peel and cut, you can make this salad. And finally, despite the ability to satisfy even the biggest sweet tooth, it’s pretty healthy, at least as far as desserts go. 

Ambrosia Fruit Salad Ingredients

• Navel oranges – Provide sweet, juicy citrus flavor and natural fruit sugars
• Pineapple tidbits – Add tropical sweetness and bright acidity to balance the oranges
• Flaked coconut – Contributes texture and subtle tropical flavor
• Powdered sugar – Dissolves easily to create a light syrup that binds the salad

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

Dole’s Pineapple Tidbits packed in pineapple juice are perfect for Ambrosia, but you could use any canned or crushed pineapple pieces. For this recipe, canned fruit is preferable over fresh fruit.

You can substitute the navel oranges with mandarin oranges.

Both sweetened and unsweetened flaked coconut will work, but Snowflake coconut is too fine to use. 

How to Make Ambrosia

To prepare this citrus fruit salad with coconut:

1. Peel the oranges and remove all the piths and stringy bits. To improve the texture of the orange, you should also remove the membrane (that smooth skin that adheres directly to the juicy flesh). An easy way to do this is to supreme the orange before cutting it into segments. 
2. Chop the cut orange into one-inch pieces and place in a large bowl. 
3. Drain the Pineapple Tidbits very well and cut any larger pieces to about the same size as the prepared orange pieces. Put the pineapple into the bowl with the oranges. 
4. Add the flaked coconuts and powdered sugar to the citrus fruit. 

5. Stir well until all the sugar dissolves and you have a uniform mixture.
6. Cover the top of the bowl with plastic wrap. 
7. Chill the Ambrosia fruit salad for at least an hour to allow the flavors to meld.
8. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the Ambrosia salad to the serving bowl. 

Recipe Variations

Everyone makes Ambrosia differently, and that’s half the fun of trying your neighbors’ versions. But there are several standard toppings that you may want to include in yours. Here are just a few suggestions, but feel free to add your favorites to the comment section below:

• Nuts. Walnuts or pecans add both a nutty taste and a crunch. 
• Bananas. Sliced bananas are another tropical addition that can add more variety to Ambrosia. 
• Grapes. They’ll add another layer of sweetness and juiciness.
• Maraschino cherries. Not only do they bring additional sweetness, but the bright red cherries have a festive feeling.
• Strawberries or Blueberries. For a burst of berry flavor.
• Miniature marshmallows. Marshmallows provide fluffy sweetness that will encourage even the pickiest kid to at least try the fruit salad. 
• Sauce. Some folk like to add a bit of creaminess with a sour cream or cream cheese-based sauce. This Cool Whip Fruit Dip would be a fantastic option. 

What to Serve Ambrosia With

Ambrosia can be served as a side dish or dessert salad. It pairs wonderfully with chicken, roast beef, and steak. If serving it for dessert, add a dollop of whipped cream on top or fold it to add some fluffiness.

A Few Occasions That Are Perfect for Ambrosia 

A big bowl of Ambrosia fruit salad is welcome any time and any place, but there are several occasions when the dish is most common:

• Picnics and cookouts. Fresh and fruity, this recipe is excellent for helping to beat the heat. You’ll find Ambrosia salad at many outdoor gatherings. 
• Potlucks and church meals. Easy to make and inexpensive while still allowing the cook to show off her creativity, multiple bowls of this fruit salad tend to show when a community gathers to eat together. 
• Holidays. Ambrosia fruit salad appears more often than a favorite uncle at Easter, Christmas, and Thanksgiving meals.

Storage Instructions

• Make-Ahead Tips: You can prepare fruit up to 24 hours in advance, but to maintain texture, add toppings like marshmallows or nuts just before serving.
• Refrigerator Storage: Store in airtight containers for up to 3 days. For best texture, use containers with built-in colanders to drain excess liquid.
• Serving Guidelines: Never return served portions to storage. Always use clean utensils when serving.

Love Luby’s? Try these copycat recipes!

• Baked White Fish
• Beef Tortilla Soup
• Carrot Raisin Salad
• Coconut Meringue Pie
• Hawaiian Pie
• Skillet Cabbage
• Spaghetti Salad

Popular Fruity Salad Recipes

• Charoset
• Cranberry Salad
• Grape Salad
• Lime Jello Salad with Cottage Cheese
• Orange Fluff Jello Salad
• Waldorf Salad

Check out my easy salad recipes and the best restaurant copycat recipes on CopyKat!