This is the best Ensalada Navideña and it's so easy peasy! It’s traditionally made with 3 milks and is not overly sweet. Don't let the name fool you. You can enjoy this fruit salad year round!
Ensaladas dulces (sweet salads) are a perfect balance to meals with flavorful Mexican dishes like Pozole and tamales. It's the perfect pairing!
Planning a get together? Ensalada Navideña always has a place at the table for family fiestas, potlucks, posadas, and work functions. It's loaded with fruit and the creamy dressing is to die for!
In this post you’ll find:
This fruit salad is a great dish to whip up if you're short on time! Be sure to make this salad ahead of time so it has a chance to sit. This helps blend the flavors and makes the marshmallows soften. It's always better the next day!
Ingredients for the dressing
The sweetness in this dressing comes from the condensed milk and the fruit syrup that comes in the fruit cocktail. The mixture is not overly sweet. It's perfectly delicious!
For the dressing you'll need:
- 1 14 oz can condensed milk
- 1 12 oz can evaporated milk
- 1 7.6 oz can media crema - if you can't find Mexican crema, you can use plain or vanilla yogurt instead
- 1 8 oz cream cheese block
- Plus sweeten it with ½ cup fruit syrup from the fruit can
Ingredients for Ensalada Navideña
Ensalada Navideña is similar to "Ensalada De Manzana Navideña" but with more fruit. If you were to remove the strawberries and grapes, you would pretty much have the also popular Ensalada De Manzana (Apple Salad).
The beauty of this salad is that you can pick your favorite ingredients. For instance, my husband doesn't like raisins so I include just a handful for me. Choose what you like!
For the salad you'll need:
- A large can fruit cocktail in syrup
- 4 large red apples - pick your favorite apples. It really doesn't matter
- A container fresh strawberries
- Grapes (green preferably)
- Pecan cut in small pieces
- Raisins
- Shredded coconut (unsweetened or sweetened)
- Mini marshmallows optional (as much as you want!)
How to make Ensalada Navideña
- BLEND: Add the condensed & evaporated milk, media crema & cream cheese in a blender or food processor.
- Mix until blended and set aside.
- TOAST: In a small skillet, toast the pecans on medium heat for about 2 minutes. Keep moving them around so that they don't burn.
Toasting the pecans before adding to the salad really brings out the flavor and adds a little more crunch!
- MIX: In a large bowl, add the rest of the ingredients (see note #2)
- Fold all ingredients until all fruits are covered in the cream mixture
- Add enough of the cream mixture to cover the fruit. Add more if needed according to taste. You will have leftover cream mix which can be stored in refrigerator up to one week.
Refrigerate tightly covered for at least 2 hours to chill but the longer the better. Letting it sit overnight will help develop the flavors.
It's a great recipe to make ahead and just let it rest. You won't be stressed about making dessert right before your gathering.
Serve in small cups or bowls and top with more coconut flakes if you want. The flakes make your dessert look more festive!
Now who wants to dig in? ?
More Postres (desserts) You'll Love
If you make this recipe, I would love to hear about it! Leave me a comment below to let me know how you liked it.? Gracias!!!!
Recipe
Ensalada Navideña
Equipment
- Blender or food processor
Ingredients
- 1 14 oz can condensed milk
- 1 12 oz can evaporated milk
- 1 7.6 oz can media crema If you can't find Mexican crema, you may use plain or vanilla yogurt instead
- 1 8 oz cream cheese block
- 1 30 oz can fruit cocktail in syrup (see note #1) (drain & reserve ½ cup of the syrup)
- 4 large red apples cut into chunks (keep the skin for crunchiness)
- 12 to 16 oz fresh strawberries
- 8 oz grapes (green preferably)
- 1 cup pecan cut in small pieces
- 1 cup raisins
- 1 cup shredded coconut (unsweetened or sweetened)
- mini marshmallows optional (as much as you want!)
Instructions
- BLEND: Add the condensed & evaporated milk, media crema & cream cheese in a blender or food processor.
- Mix until blended and set aside.
- TOAST: In a small skillet, toast the pecans on medium heat for about 2 minutes. Keep moving them around so that they don't burn.
- MIX: In a large bowl, add the rest of the ingredients (see note #2)
- Fold all ingredients until all fruits are covered in the cream mixture
- Add the enough of the cream mixture to cover the fruit. Add more if needed according to taste. You will have leftover cream mix which can be stored in refrigerator up to one week.
- Refrigerate covered for at least 2 hours to chill.
- Serve cold.
Notes
- Or you can use fruit cocktail or any fruit in syrup like peaches or pineapples.
Nutrition
Deliciosa y fácil!!!!
Gracias Ana!!
Gracias Malena por hacer esta ensalada de navidad! Felices fiestas!
I can't hardly wait to make this delicious salad for my family. I love this salad. Thank you for sharing. I love all your recipes.
Hi Millie! I hope you made it and that you loved it! It's so easy to make and delicious and I'm sure you will love this Ensalada Navideña. Happy Holidays!
My mom used to make this salad and later my older sister and we loved it! I will have to give it a try!
Thank you for posting the recipe ❤️
Awe so good to hear your mom made this Mexican Christmas salad too! It's so refreshing to have during this time of year. Enjoy my friend! xoxo Ana
This was the first time I tried this, and it was delicious!
Awe so good to hear this my dear Stefanie! I'm so glad you liked it!!! Thanks for stopping by!
Thanks for sharing this Mexican dessert! Loved addition of strawberries. So good!