Name: Hawaiian Fruit Salad
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 (30 oz) can fruit cocktail in juice; 1 (20 oz) can pineapple chunks in juice; 1 (8 oz) can mandarin orange slices; 1 (10 oz) bag mini marshmallows; 1 (24 oz) container sour cream; 1 box orange flavored gelatin (Jello)

Jump to Recipe·Leave a Review

Hawaiian Fruit Salad is one of those classic, sweet “salads” I like to bring to any picnic, potluck, or family gathering. It’s creamy, tropical, and full of color—thanks to canned fruit, orange-flavored gelatin, sour cream, and a generous scoop of marshmallows. It’s more dessert than salad, but I never hear any complaints. I love how easy it is to make with pantry staples and how well it holds up when made ahead of time.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Quick and Easy: I can mix this up in under 15 minutes—perfect for last-minute plans.
Crowd Favorite: Everyone seems to go back for seconds, whether they’re 8 or 80.
Great for Make-Ahead: I often prep it the night before so it’s ready and chilled when I need it.
Sweet but Balanced: The sour cream tones down the sweetness of the fruit and marshmallows perfectly.
Pantry-Friendly: All I need are a few canned fruits, a box of Jello, and a tub of sour cream to pull this together.

Ingredients

(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

1 (30 oz) can fruit cocktail in juice
1 (20 oz) can pineapple chunks in juice
1 (8 oz) can mandarin orange slices
1 (10 oz) bag mini marshmallows
1 (24 oz) container of sour cream
1 box orange flavored gelatin

Directions

Drain the Fruit
I pour all the canned fruit into a colander and let it drain for at least four hours. If I’m short on time, I use a clean towel to pat the fruit dry to prevent a soupy texture.
Mix the Base
In a large mixing bowl, I combine the sour cream and orange Jello powder. I stir until the mixture is smooth and fully blended.
Combine the Ingredients
I add the well-drained fruit and mini marshmallows to the bowl. I mix gently to coat everything evenly with the creamy base.
Chill
I refrigerate the salad for at least an hour—four hours is better, and overnight is ideal. This lets the flavors meld and the texture firm up.
Serve
Right before serving, I give the salad a good stir and serve it cold. It’s delicious straight from the fridge.

Servings and timing

This recipe makes 16 servings.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes (inactive draining time not included)
Total Time: 15 minutes (+ chilling time)

Variations

Add Coconut: I sometimes stir in shredded sweetened coconut for even more tropical flavor.
Cottage Cheese Twist: For a vintage flair, I mix in a bit of cottage cheese.
Cool Whip Option: I’ve swapped some of the sour cream with whipped topping for a lighter, fluffier salad.
Color Swap: Using strawberry or lime Jello instead of orange changes up the flavor and look.
Fresh Fruit: If I have ripe fresh pineapple or mandarins on hand, I sometimes mix them with the canned fruit for a fresher texture.

Storage/Reheating

I keep this salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
It does not freeze well, and I don’t recommend reheating—this one is best served cold. A quick stir before serving keeps the texture just right.

FAQs

Can I make Hawaiian Fruit Salad the night before?

Yes, I usually make it the night before. It chills perfectly and the flavors blend even better overnight.

What if I don’t have orange Jello?

I’ve used other flavors like pineapple, strawberry, or lemon, and they all work great. Just use whatever complements the fruit.

Can I use whipped cream instead of sour cream?

Yes, but it will be much sweeter. I sometimes do half sour cream and half whipped topping to balance it out.

How do I avoid a watery or soupy salad?

I make sure the canned fruit is thoroughly drained and even patted dry if needed. This makes a big difference in texture.

Is this dish gluten-free?

Yes, as long as I check the labels on the gelatin and marshmallows, this recipe can be entirely gluten-free.

Conclusion

Hawaiian Fruit Salad is one of those easy, nostalgic dishes that always makes people smile. It’s cool, creamy, and bursting with tropical flavor—and I can whip it up with ingredients I usually already have. Whether I’m feeding a crowd or just craving something sweet and refreshing, this salad never lets me down. It’s a potluck classic for good reason.