Creamy Pineapple Fruit Salad (Print Page)

Tropical pineapple and fruit medley in a smooth, tangy sour cream dressing. A perfect chilled side dish.

# What You Need:

→ Fruit & Nuts

01 - 1 can (20 oz) pineapple chunks, drained
02 - 1 cup seedless grapes, halved
03 - 1 cup mandarin orange segments, drained if canned
04 - 1 cup mini marshmallows
05 - 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)

→ Creamy Dressing

06 - 1 cup sour cream
07 - 1/2 cup mayonnaise
08 - 2 tablespoons honey or sugar, adjusted to taste
09 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

# Directions:

01 - In a large mixing bowl, combine the drained pineapple chunks, halved grapes, mandarin orange segments, mini marshmallows, and chopped nuts if using.
02 - In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the sour cream, mayonnaise, honey or sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and well blended.
03 - Pour the creamy dressing over the fruit mixture and gently toss until all ingredients are evenly coated.
04 - Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld and the salad to set.
05 - Give the salad a gentle toss just before serving to redistribute the dressing evenly. Serve well chilled.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in fifteen flat minutes with zero cooking, which means your kitchen stays cool even on the hottest days.
  • The creamy dressing balances sweet and tangy in a way that makes people ask for the recipe every single time you bring it somewhere.
02 -
  • Pat the pineapple chunks dry with a paper towel after draining, because even a little extra juice will thin out your dressing into something watery and sad.
  • Letting the salad rest overnight in the fridge actually improves the flavor dramatically, though the marshmallows will soften considerably.
03 -
  • Toast your pecans or walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for about three minutes, shaking the pan constantly, until you can smell their nutty warmth. This one small step elevates the entire salad from good to unforgettable.
  • If you swap the sour cream and mayo for Greek yogurt, add an extra half tablespoon of honey because yogurt carries a sharper tang that needs a little more sweetness to balance.

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