5 Cup Salad

This 5 cup salad is a quick and creamy vintage fruit salad made with pineapple, mandarin oranges, marshmallows, coconut, sour cream, and maraschino cherries. A potluck favorite!

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Old Fashioned 5-Cup Fruit Salad

This 5-cup salad is an old-fashioned favorite that’s been bringing a little creamy, fruity joy to potlucks and holiday tables for generations. Much like my ambrosia fruit salad or classic watergate salad, this recipe is a simple mix-and-serve treat!

Sweet mandarin oranges, juicy pineapple, fluffy marshmallows, coconut, and maraschino cherries get folded together with tangy sour cream for a cool, nostalgic dessert salad everyone loves.

Ingredients Notes

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.

• Mandarin oranges: Canned mandarin orange segments are the classic choice because they’re tender and sweet, but you can use fresh mandarins in season.
• Pineapple: Use pineapple tidbits (that is what I used), chunks, crushed pineapple, or even fresh chopped pineapple. Drain canned pineapple well so the salad isn’t watery.
• Mini marshmallows: These add the fluffy texture everyone loves. You can use white or pastel-colored mini marshmallows for a fun look, or cut full-sized marshmallows into smaller pieces if that’s what you have.
• Sour cream: This is what gives the salad its creamy, tangy base. If you prefer, plain Greek yogurt or vanilla Greek yogurt makes a great substitute.
• Honey: I love to add a small amount of honey for added flavor, but omit if you wish.
• Coconut flakes: Flaked coconut or shredded coconut will both work. Sweetened shredded coconut adds extra sweetness, while unsweetened keeps it a bit lighter.
• Maraschino cherries: These are optional but add a pop of color and a sweet old-fashioned touch.

How to Make 5 Cup Salad

Grab a medium sized mixing bowl and stir the sour cream and honey together. Add the mandarin orange, pineapple, mini-marshmallows, coconut and cherries.

Gently fold everything together until it’s evenly coated and well combined. Be careful not to stir too hard so the fruit stays intact. Chill, stir then serve.

Recipe Tips

• Chill: For the best flavor and texture, cover the bowl and chill the 5 cup salad recipe for a couple of hours before serving. This helps with flavor development.
• Swap the sour cream: If you prefer a lighter, sweeter flavor, replace the sour cream with Greek yogurt or homemade Cool Whip.
• Mix up fruit: Try canned fruit cocktail, chopped fresh apples, banana slices, canned peaches, or halved grapes. Drain any canned fruit well and pat fresh fruit dry.
• Add crunch: A handful of chopped nuts such as pecans, walnuts, or slivered almonds adds a nice bit of crunch and makes the salad extra special.
• How to serve: Five-cup fruit salad is most often served as a side dish alongside a holiday meal or potluck spread, but it’s sweet enough to belong on the dessert table.