Overnight Pineapple Salad

Prep: 15 min Serves: 12 Cuisine: American

A refreshing and creamy fruit salad featuring pineapple, oranges, grapes, and cherries, perfect for potlucks and summer gatherings, with a delightful crunch from pecans and marshmallows.

Be the first to rate this recipe

Ingredients

  • 1 (1 lb.) can pineapple chunks, drained
  • 1 cup pecan halves
  • 1 (11 oz.) can mandarin oranges, drained
  • 1 (8 oz.) can seedless grapes, drained
  • 1 cup mini marshmallows
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 (16 oz.) can dark red cherries

Instructions

  1. Combine pineapple chunks, pecan halves, mandarin oranges, grapes, mini marshmallows, sour cream, and mayonnaise in a large bowl.
  2. Refrigerate the mixture overnight to allow flavors to meld.
  3. Just before serving, add the cherries and toss gently to combine.
  4. Serve chilled.

Tips & Substitutions

For a more tropical flavor, consider adding shredded coconut or swapping pecans for walnuts. If you're looking for a lighter version, you can substitute Greek yogurt for sour cream. Ensure all fruits are well-drained to prevent excess moisture; this will keep the salad from becoming too watery overnight. Experiment with different fruits like diced apples or bananas for added variety.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this refreshing salad as a side dish at barbecues or potlucks, or as a light dessert after a meal. It pairs beautifully with grilled meats or can be enjoyed alongside American Oriental Chicken for a complete meal. Garnish with extra pecans or a sprinkle of coconut for added texture and visual appeal.

Storage & Reheating

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The salad is best enjoyed chilled, so you don’t need to reheat it. If it appears a bit watery after sitting, simply stir gently before serving to redistribute the flavors.

Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)

Each serving of Overnight Pineapple Salad contains roughly 296 calories, with 3g protein, 36g carbohydrates, and 16g fat. It is a good source of iron (18% of the Daily Value), vitamin A (15% of the Daily Value), and vitamin C (11% of the Daily Value).

296 kcal 15% DV
Protein Fat Carbs

Macronutrients

Protein 2.9g 6% DV
Total Fat 16.3g 21% DV
Carbs 35.9g 13% DV
Fiber 1.4g 5% DV
Sugar 12.1g 24% DV

Electrolytes

Sodium 258.5mg 11% DV
Potassium 175.4mg 4% DV
Cholesterol 3.4mg 1% DV

Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamin A 133.1mcg 15% DV
Vitamin C 9.5mg 11% DV
Vitamin D 0.7mcg 4% DV
Calcium 123.9mg 10% DV
Iron 3.3mg 18% DV
Diet fit Under 400 cal
Contains Milk Egg Tree nuts

Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.

* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this salad ahead of time?

Absolutely! This salad is perfect for making ahead. Prepare it a day in advance and refrigerate overnight to allow the flavors to meld beautifully. Just remember to add the cherries right before serving for the best freshness.

Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).

American recipes → Vegetarian recipes → Dairy recipes → All recipes →