Tropical Fruit Cocktail Salad is cool, creamy, and comes together in minutes with just five simple ingredients. It’s perfect for potlucks, holidays, or a quick make-ahead side or dessert. Add extra maraschino cherries for a festive touch that kids and adults both love.
This recipe was first published in 2016 and has been updated for clarity and a better reader experience.
The combination of whipped topping and instant pudding powder gives this fruit salad a thicker, dessert-like consistency while keeping it light and refreshing. You can serve it as a side dish or a sweet treat. Miniature marshmallows add a fun texture and the maraschino cherries make it irresistible.
Tropical fruit cocktail salad is the kind of recipe you can toss together in a flash and still impress guests. Use canned Dole Tropical Fruit for larger, firmer fruit pieces, or substitute a standard fruit cocktail if you prefer. Do not drain the cans unless you want a drier salad — the juice helps keep the mixture moist and flavorful.
This recipe has been a family favorite for years. When my children were little, it felt special whenever I made this cool, creamy salad, and now they make it for their own families. It’s an ideal make-ahead option for busy days when you want one less thing to worry about.
Growing up, many of us fought over the maraschino cherry in a can of fruit cocktail. This version solves that problem—add extra cherries so everyone can enjoy one. The marshmallows provide a soft bite and make the salad a hit with kids.
I often bring this fruit cocktail salad to neighborhood potlucks. It makes a generous bowl that’s easy to share, and the kids always head straight for the cherries. It’s a reliable, crowd-pleasing dish every time.
What is Fruit Cocktail?
Fruit cocktail is typically a canned mix of diced fruit in juice or syrup and usually includes pears, peaches, grapes, and a maraschino cherry. A tropical fruit cocktail swaps in fruits such as pineapple and papaya for a brighter, more tropical flavor. Dole’s Tropical Fruit is a good option because the fruit pieces tend to hold their shape better than some other canned varieties.
Ingredients for Tropical Fruit Cocktail with Cool Whip & Instant Pudding
- 1 can (15.25 oz) Dole Tropical Fruit Cocktail — do not drain
- 1 container (8 oz) whipped topping (Cool Whip or similar) — any variety works
- 1 can (15.25 oz) crushed pineapple — do not drain
- 2 cups miniature marshmallows
- 1 small box (3.4 oz) instant lemon pudding powder — use the dry mix, do not prepare
Variations to Try
- Swap the lemon pudding for vanilla or coconut instant pudding for a different flavor profile.
- Add a cup of chopped nuts such as pecans or macadamia for crunch.
- For extra tropical flavor, sprinkle toasted coconut on top before serving.
- Stir in extra maraschino cherries, or reserve some for garnish to make the salad more festive.
- Use a traditional fruit cocktail instead of tropical fruit cocktail if you prefer the classic mix.
- Try rainbow-colored miniature marshmallows for a playful look.
You May Need the Following
- Mixing bowls — to combine the ingredients easily.
- Serving bowl or trifle bowl — for an attractive presentation at gatherings.
- Spatula — for folding the whipped topping and marshmallows in gently.
Don’t forget to stop back and let me know how your Fruit Cocktail Salad turned out.
Tropical Fruit Cocktail Salad
Ingredients
- 15.25 oz crushed pineapple (canned) — don’t drain
- 15.25 oz Dole Tropical Fruit Cocktail (canned) — don’t drain; chop if desired
- 3.4 oz instant lemon pudding mix (small box) — use dry powder
- 2 cups miniature marshmallows
- 8 oz whipped topping (Cool Whip or similar)
Add extra maraschino cherries or toasted coconut if desired.
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the crushed pineapple and tropical fruit cocktail with the instant pudding powder. Stir gently to distribute the dry pudding evenly.
- Fold in the whipped topping until the mixture is smooth and uniform.
- Gently fold in the miniature marshmallows.
- Chill the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving so the flavors meld and the texture firms slightly.
Notes
Recipe adapted from the St. Robert Bellarmine cookbook, “Angel Foods.” You can substitute vanilla or coconut instant pudding for a different flavor.
Nutrition
Nutritional info was calculated using the exact brands and measurements noted. Changing ingredients or amounts will alter the nutrition values; use as a guide only.
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