Simple and Refreshing Frozen Pineapple & Grape Salad

Sharing is caring!

Have you ever looked at an old family cookbook and wondered what people were thinking when they put some of those recipes together? Jello salads with vegetables, mayonnaise in places you wouldn’t expect, and ingredients that feel like they shouldn’t work—but somehow, they just do. Today’s frozen fruit salad is a sweet and creamy tribute to that creative spirit, made to surprise and delight anyone brave enough to give it a try.

Jump to Recipe

This post may contain affiliate links. If you click on a link and then make a purchase, I may get a small commission from that sale, at no extra cost to you.

This Frozen Fruit Salad brings together cream cheese, cool whip, pineapple tidbits, marshmallows, and fresh grapes into one colorful, creamy dish. It’s a little bit dessert, a little bit salad, and a whole lot of fun. And while it might sound unusual at first, there’s a certain magic that happens when you combine these simple ingredients.

Midwest kitchens have always been known for making the most of what’s available. Fresh produce in the summer, canned fruits in the winter, and creative touches like adding mayonnaise for an extra layer of richness. People cooked to celebrate what they had, and recipes like this frozen fruit salad were born out of that sense of joy and abundance.

Recipe: Frozen Fruit Salad

Ingredients

• 1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese, room temperature
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons pineapple juice (use juice from pineapple tidbits can)
• 1 medium can pineapple tidbits, drained
• 2 cups mini marshmallows
• 1 cup fresh seedless green grapes, halved
• 1 cup fresh seedless purple grapes, halved
• 1 cup cool whip

For Garnish (Optional)

• ¼ cup pecan pieces

Directions

One: In a large bowl, beat cream cheese with a mixer until smooth. Add mayonnaise and pineapple juice and continue to mix until combined.

Two: Add the pineapple tidbits and grapes (red and green) and marshmallows, fold gently into the mixture.

Three: Fold in the cool whip until fully incorporated.

Four: Pour the mixture into a 7×11 or 8×10 casserole dish and smooth with a spatula, pressing lightly into all corners and across the top.

Five: Cover with plastic wrap or foil and place in the freezer. Freeze for at least 2 hours before serving.

Six: Before serving, remove from the freezer and let sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes. Use a sharp knife to cut into equal squares.

Seven: Garnish with your choice of nuts. We used pecan pieces.

Note: Cutting while the salad is still frozen ensures neat slices. If you prefer, it can be scooped out with a spoon once it softens.

Why Were These Recipes So Popular?

These dishes were fun, colorful, and easy to make. After World War II, food trends shifted toward convenience and creativity. Canned fruits like pineapple tidbits became pantry staples, while items like cream cheese and cool whip added richness without a lot of effort.

Back then, every church picnic and family reunion featured at least one colorful pineapple salad or frozen salad. It wasn’t just about feeding people; it was about celebrating togetherness with a great dish that felt special without being complicated.

Even today, recipes like this are the perfect reminder that food doesn’t have to be fancy to be memorable. This is a creamy fruit salad made for sharing, laughing, and making memories with the people you love.

Ingredient Tips and Fun Swaps

One of the best things about this easy fruit salad recipe is how flexible it can be. If you want to make it even more refreshing, try using fresh fruit like chopped strawberries, bananas, or blueberries along with the juicy grapes.

We recommend using seedless green grapes and red grapes for the perfect balance of sweetness and color. Slice them in half so they’re easier to eat and mix evenly throughout the creamy dressing.

If you’re looking to take this easy recipe to the next level, swap the mayonnaise for sour cream. It gives the salad a slight tang that pairs beautifully with the sweetness of the fruit and marshmallows. Either way, the combination of textures—from the fluffy marshmallows to the soft fruit to the creamy base—makes this a great dish for any gathering.

You can even add optional ingredients like chopped pecans, shredded coconut, or mini chocolate chips if you want to customize it for your whole family.

And don’t stress if this is your first time making a frozen salad. With just a large bowl, a few simple ingredients, and a little patience while it freezes, you’ll have a delicious, old-school treat everyone will love.

How to Store Your Frozen Fruit Salad

After pressing your salad into a casserole dish and freezing it, be sure to cover it tightly with plastic wrap or foil. For best results, you’ll want to let it chill for several hours or overnight.

Once it’s fully frozen, you can cut it into squares and serve right away. If you have leftovers (though that’s rare!), slice them into individual portions and store them in an airtight container in the freezer.

This salad keeps beautifully for a few days, making it a perfect make-ahead option for parties or busy weeks. Just let it sit out for a few minutes before serving if it feels too hard straight from the freezer.

By the next day, the flavors are even more blended and delicious!

Perfect for Hot Summer Days

There’s nothing better than a cold, fruity, creamy dessert on a hot summer day. This frozen fruit salad is light, refreshing, and full of colorful fruit that makes every bite feel like a celebration.

Whether you’re serving it at a family barbecue, a Sunday potluck, or just enjoying it with your kids on the porch, this old-fashioned treat brings a little nostalgia and a lot of joy.

Food trends may come and go, but the tradition of gathering around a homemade dish will always be special. Sometimes the best recipes aren’t the ones that win awards—they’re the ones that make people smile.

So grab your simple ingredients, whip out your large bowl, and try something brave, new, and wonderfully old-fashioned today. Your whole family will thank you!

Looking for another delicious dessert to try this summer? Check out our Peach and Mango Pie leave a comment and let us know how you like it!