Creamy Tropical Fruit Cocktail Salad Recipe
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our Disclosure Policy.
Tropical Fruit Cocktail Salad is cool and creamy. With only 5 ingredients it comes together quickly and can be made ahead. Add extra cherries and you have a party!
This delicious recipe was first published in 2016 and was updated to improve reader experience.
I love making Fruit Salad with Cool Whip and the pudding gives it a thicker consistency while adding a bit of sweetness. You might call this a salad or a dessert. I call it cool, creamy, and delicious just like our Pineapple Cherry Fluff salad and Strawberry Cheesecake Salad. And, did you see the Fruit Salad Trifle Dessert?
Tropical Fruit Cocktail salad is one of those “save the day” recipes. Dump 5 ingredients together and in about 5 nanoseconds you have a creamy dreamy dish that everyone is guaranteed to like!
Now I am sure you are wondering if I’ve forgotten how to cook, but I just had to share this fruit salad with Cool Whip. It’s quick, easy, and perfect for any occasion.
When my kids were younger they always thought it was a special meal when I’d make this Fruit Cocktail salad. They loved it then and now make it for their families.
With the holidays, graduations, and nicer weather activities coming up, it’s nice to have a recipe that is quick and easy to make that can be made ahead of time so you can concentrate on more important things.
If you grew up with canned fruit cocktail, you knew that the one who opened the can
With this fruit cocktail salad, you can just leave it as is, or hey, go dump in enough cherries for everyone. The addition of the miniature marshmallows makes it fun for all.
When we have a potluck with the neighbors I always bring this fruit cocktail recipe. The kiddos dive in to get their share (of the cherries) before the adults can get their hands on it. It makes a good-sized fruit cocktail salad so it’s perfect for sharing.
What is Fruit Cocktail?
Fruit cocktail is a mixture of canned diced fruit in juice or syrup. It traditionally includes pears, peaches, grapes, and a maraschino cherry. The tropical version contains pineapple and papaya.
Dole Tropical Fruit instead of fruit cocktail. It has nice big pieces of fruit that aren’t mushy like some canned fruit. The traditional fruit cocktail can be interchanged
Ingredients for Tropical Fruit Cocktail with Cool Whip & Pudding Recipe
- Dole Tropical Fruit Cocktail – 15.25 oz can – Do not drain
- Cool Whip – 8 oz container. You can use any variety. I use “lite”.
- Crushed pineapple 15.25 oz can which is a medium-sized can.
- Miniature marshmallows
- Instant lemon pudding which is the 3.4 oz or small box. Do not make the pudding. We just use the powder.
Variations that you can make to Fruit Cocktail Salad
- Use different flavors of pudding. Vanilla, Lemon, and Coconut, are all delicious options.
- Add a cup of nuts. Pecans or macadamia would both be delicious.
- For a real tropical flair add toasted coconut.
- Add additional maraschino cherries to make the kiddos happy!
- Exchange Tropical Fruit salad with a traditional Fruit Cocktail.
- Use rainbow-colored miniature marshmallows.
Pin this to have on hand for when you need a quick delicious dish!
You May Need the following products:
- Trifle Bowl – Just because it’s a simple salad doesn’t mean it can’t be pretty! Serve it in this trifle bowl and guests will think it’s a little fancier than it is!
- Silicone Spatulas – This pretty set has a flat side and a curved side to take on your toughest job. I love that they are all one piece and can withstand 500°F! Throw out those old chipped ones and treat yourself!
Here are a few more recipes I think you’ll like!
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 off the juice and chop in smaller pieces if desired.
- 3.4 oz instant lemon pudding (small box) You can also use vanilla or coconut
- 2 cups marshmallows – miniature
- 8 oz whipped topping – I used Cool Whip Free
Add additional Maraschino cherries or coconut if desired.
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the pineapple and Fruit Cocktail with the instant pudding powder. Stir to combine.
- Fold in the whipped topping and then the marshmallows.
- Chill for at least 30 minutes.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer
This recipe was calculated using the exact brands and measurements I used to make this recipe. If you are following a strict diet please note changing anything will cause the nutritional info to change. My calculations are intended as a guide only.
You should try Truwhip, doesn’t have all the chemicals as Cool whip.I would also use fresh organic fruit instead of canned,but that’s just me.
Thank you, Debra! I’ll definitely definitely try the Truwhip. Fresh fruit is delicious. This recipe is quick easy and can be made ahead of time.
What size cans of fruit 15 oz or 32 oz cans
Hi Bruce, thank you for your comment. The tropical version comes in a 15.25 oz can. I’m heading to the post to clarify it for our community. I appreciate your question!
For the tropical fruit, can I use either the Dole can or jar? They’re in different juices, so I wasn’t sure if it would matter.
I use the tropical fruit in the can Kala. I would be more concerned with the amount of juice than the kind since both will work to thicken the pudding mix. The jar has more than the can and I haven’t tried it. If you do, please let me know how it went. Thank you!
Do I make the jello as directed on the package or just pour the powder in?
Just pour the powder in. It will mix with the juice of the canned fruit and thicken the salad.
We made this for the 4th and it disappeared in no time!! Everyone loved it!
Thanks, Michaela! We love it too!
This was delicious. It was so reminiscent of my Mom’s recipe we used to eat at the holidays! Definitely a keeper!
Haven’t tried it yet going to make it for my sons wedding. can I add manderine oranges
Sure you can! I believe that I would probably drain them though. If you want it creamier add more whipped topping. Congratulations on your son’s wedding! My son got married in March.
This will definitely save my bum when I am cooking for church! The ladies love these types of salads and this is definitely going on the menu for next session!
Thank you Jennifer! It is so easy and I make it quite a bit in the summer.
I grew up eating a lot of fruit salad in India, basically chopped fruits with vanilla custard, so this post brought back happy memories 🙂 LOve the idea of making it with lemon pudding!
Thank you Naina! This was one of my children’s favorite salads, and it’s so easy that I still make it for John and I or when we go to potlucks.
Yes, I always wanted the cherry! Love that you can put as many as you want into this salad! And this is so perfect for warm summer days, especially for bringing to a picnic or BBQ!
Meghan you slipped into the spam. Stay out of there girl! Thank you. Love these dishes too and John and I can both make them our own.
Julie~ I can’t wait to take this to our memorial day picnic… My niece is hosting it and she remembers my moms recipe, but none of us have a copy of that one. Im thinking this is a pretty close alternative! And she will especially love the pineapple! Its her favorite!
Thank you Michele! I think that there are a lot of versions. I’ve make it with vanilla and lemon pudding and different fruits too. Always easy and yummy.
I was trying to find some fruit salads for the summer and this one looks perfect! Super easy to make and only 5 ingredients?! Can’t beat that! Thanks for the recipe <3
Thank you Aena! You are right that it is easy and we really enjoy it!
I love this salad, I especially love how easy it, you can’t beat that – especially in the warmer weather. And who doesn’t love fruit cocktail?
I would have to swap the pineapple out for something else as I’m allergic, but I think I would love it all the same
Pinning and sharing!
Thank you so much for sharing Michelle! It’s easy and always a hit even though it doesn’t like it’s picture taken.
What a lovely and easy salad!
Thank you Lynz! Kids love it too. Has you son had his baby yet?
Omigosh, I would totally be the one rushing to grab the cherry! Haha. Anyway, love this tropical fruit salad, Julie. Just looking at your pics makes me hungry. Thanks for sharing such an awesome recipe. 🙂
Thank you so much Demeter!
Oh it was so fun to see this recipe, firstly it looks fabulous, and secondly we have something similar in Sweden called “Mimosasallad” but I have never seen it with lemon pudding and marshmallows. Instead we always have the cherries and the “sauce” is made of whipped cream and mayonnaise.
Thank you Petra! Your version sounds delicious too!
Wow, you weren’t kidding when you said it was easy to whip up. It’s an absolutely perfect dessert for when you need something quick. Thanks for sharing another fabulous recipe.
Thank you so much Lily! I hope you had a wonderful Easter weekend!
Oh, so many refreshing flavors! Perfect for any occasion and any time of the year.
Any easy peasy Ana! Happy Easter to you and your family!
This does bring back memories, although your version looks a lot better than the ones I’ve had in my past. Very kid friendly and festive for Easter. Have a lovely weekend
Thank you so much Hilda! Happy FF and Happy Easter to you too!
Julie, we have the same dessert in the Philippines and I haven’t made it in a long time. Now, I am craving for some. This looks very delicious! Happy FF! x
Thank you so much Jhuls! Happy FF!
Yummy Julie! I’ve made this type of fruit salad before – the kids loved it! I loved how quickly it pulled together! Thanks for reminding me of this tasty treat!
Thank you Linda! I didn’t remember it myself until I started thinking about my Easter menu. Hope you have a wonderful Easter.
This look so simple to make and fresh. A very nicely presented salad too!
Thank you Alida
Beautiful salad Julie❤️
Thank you sweet girl! ❤️❤️
I make a few varieties of this fruit salad and my family loves it too. I often will serve it when the fresh fruit is not so tasty or I am in a hurry. Good salad to have any time of the year and you can have the ingredients always on hand!
Thanks Judi. These salads are just so handy, and a couple marshmallows make them a child’s favorite.