5-Cup Salad

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Five Cup Salad is a sweet and tangy treat you can whip up in no time. This easy dessert salad needs just five ingredients and five minutes to make. You’ll love how quickly it comes together for potlucks, picnics, or an after-dinner treat.

The recipe combines canned mandarin oranges, pineapple chunks, sour cream, coconut, and mini marshmallows. Simply drain the fruit, mix everything in a bowl, and chill. The sour cream coats the fruit and marshmallows, creating a creamy texture. It’s best to let the salad sit in the fridge for a few hours before serving so the flavors can blend.

Exact Ingredients List

Here’s what you’ll need to make this tasty 5-Cup Salad:

• 1 cup canned mandarin orange slices
• 1 cup canned pineapple chunks
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
• 1 cup mini marshmallows

Make sure to drain the canned fruit well before using. You can easily double or triple this recipe if you’re feeding a crowd.

The great thing about this salad is how simple the ingredients are. You probably have most of them in your pantry already!

Feel free to use low-fat sour cream if you prefer. The marshmallows add a nice sweetness, but you can reduce the amount if you want a less sugary version.

Remember to gently fold everything together to keep the fruit intact. Your 5-Cup Salad will be ready in just 5 minutes!

Instructions

Start by draining the canned mandarin orange slices and pineapple chunks thoroughly. This prevents excess liquid from making your salad watery.

In a large mixing bowl, add the drained fruit, sour cream, sweetened shredded coconut, and mini marshmallows.

Using a rubber spatula, gently fold the ingredients together. Be careful not to stir too vigorously, as you want to keep the fruit pieces intact.

Continue mixing until all ingredients are evenly distributed throughout the salad. The sour cream should coat everything lightly.

Once combined, cover the bowl with plastic wrap or transfer to an airtight container. Place in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving.

For best results, chill your 5-Cup Salad overnight. This allows the flavors to meld and the marshmallows to soften slightly.

When ready to serve, give the salad a quick stir. Spoon into individual bowls or onto plates as a sweet side dish or dessert.

Remember to keep any leftover salad refrigerated. It will stay fresh for up to 3 days when stored properly in the fridge.

Possible Substitutes List

You can swap out some ingredients in this 5-Cup Salad to make it your own. Here are some tasty options:

Fruit:

• Fresh mandarin segments instead of canned
• Diced peaches or apricots
• Maraschino cherries
• Sliced grapes

Creamy Base:

• Greek yogurt for a tangier flavor
• Whipped cream for extra sweetness
• Vanilla pudding mix for a different texture

Extras:

• Chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts
• Dried cranberries or raisins
• Chocolate chips for a fun twist

Try mixing and matching these substitutes. Just keep the total amount of each ingredient to about 1 cup to maintain the balance. Remember to drain canned fruits well to avoid a watery salad.

You can also adjust the sweetness. If you use unsweetened coconut, add a bit of sugar or honey to taste. For a lighter version, use sugar-free marshmallows and low-fat sour cream.

How to Make It Diabetes-Friendly

You can make this classic 5-Cup Salad more diabetes-friendly with a few simple changes. Here are some tips:

1. Use fresh fruit instead of canned:
   • Replace canned mandarin oranges with fresh orange segments
   • Swap canned pineapple for fresh pineapple chunks

Fresh fruit has less added sugar and more fiber, which helps slow down sugar absorption.

2. Cut down on marshmallows:

   • Use only 1/4 cup of mini marshmallows instead of 1 cup
   • Or skip them entirely for a lower-carb version

3. Replace sweetened coconut with unsweetened:

   • This cuts out extra sugar without sacrificing flavor

4. Switch to a lower-fat option for sour cream:

   • Try Greek yogurt or low-fat sour cream
   • These have less fat and more protein

5. Add some crunch:

   • Toss in chopped nuts like almonds or walnuts
   • They add healthy fats and protein to balance carbs

Remember to keep portions small. Even with these changes, this salad is still sweet. Enjoy it as a treat in moderation as part of a balanced meal plan.

Tips, Tricks & Storing

To make your 5-Cup Salad even better, try these handy tips:

• Drain the fruit really well to avoid a watery salad. Pat dry with paper towels if needed.

• Chill your mixing bowl before making the salad. This keeps everything nice and cold.

• Fold in the marshmallows last so they don’t get squished.

For best flavor, let the salad chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours before serving. This gives the flavors time to mix.

You can store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. The fruit may release some liquid, so give it a quick stir before serving again.

Want to change it up? Try these tasty swaps:

• Use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream for extra protein
• Swap in fresh berries for some of the canned fruit
• Add chopped nuts for crunch

Remember to keep the salad cold, especially when serving outdoors. Place the bowl in a larger container filled with ice to keep it chilled.