Name: Ensalada Navideña (Mexican Christmas Salad) Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 2 h 15 min
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 14 ounces can condensed milk; 12 ounces can evaporated milk; 7.6 ounces can media crema; 8 ounces cream cheese block; 1 cup pecans, chopped; 30 ounces can fruit cocktail in syrup; 4 large red apples, cut into chunks; 12 to 16 ounces fresh strawberries; 8 ounces grapes; 1 cup raisins; 1 cup shredded coconut; Mini marshmallows (optional)

Ensalada Navideña (Mexican Christmas Salad) is the holiday fruit salad you’ll crave all year round! Creamy, dreamy, bursting with juicy fruit and a jumble of crunchy, sweet and nutty ingredients, this classic from Mexican Christmas tables is as playful and pretty as it is absolutely irresistible. Whether you’re making it for a festive gathering or just to treat your family to something special, every spoonful brings back the warmth and joy of holiday traditions.

Ensalada Navideña (Mexican Christmas Salad) Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of Ensalada Navideña (Mexican Christmas Salad) is how every ingredient brings its own dose of flavor, texture or vibrant color to the bowl. From the cloud-like marshmallows to the fresh pop of fruit and the irresistible creamy base, each item on this list matters — and substitutions are easy, too.

Condensed milk: Sweet and luscious, this is the secret to the salad’s silky, dessert-like creaminess.
Evaporated milk: Adds smoothness while tempering some of the intense sweetness from the condensed milk.
Media crema (or plain or vanilla yogurt): The special touch to get that characteristic Mexican creaminess. If you can’t find it, yogurt steps in beautifully.
Cream cheese (softened): Brings body and tang to the creamy dressing — just make sure it’s not melted for a perfect texture.
Pecans: Toasted, then chopped small for a crunchy, buttery contrast. Toasting them makes all the difference!
Canned fruit cocktail in syrup: A rainbow of sweetness in every bite, and the reserved syrup helps bring everything together.
Red apples (with skin): Bright, fresh, and slightly tart, they add crispness and gorgeous color.
Fresh strawberries: Sweet-tart and juicy, they make every serving extra juicy and festive.
Grapes (preferably green): A refreshing burst that pairs so well with the creamy dressing.
Raisins: Tiny pops of chewy, deep sweetness tucked among the fruit.
Shredded coconut: Lends lovely texture (sweetened or unsweetened, your call).
Mini marshmallows (optional): The whimsical, pillowy finishing touch that everyone can’t stop scooping up.

How to Make Ensalada Navideña (Mexican Christmas Salad)

Step 1: Blend the Creamy Base

Start by blending together the condensed milk, evaporated milk, media crema (or plain/vanilla yogurt if you’re making a swap), cream cheese, and half a cup of syrup reserved from the canned fruit cocktail. Use a blender or food processor, and blend until everything is perfectly smooth and creamy. This rich, dreamy mixture is what makes Ensalada Navideña (Mexican Christmas Salad) so indulgent and satisfying.

Step 2: Toast the Pecans

Toasting pecans only takes a couple of minutes, but it’s totally worth it. Toss your chopped pecans into a dry skillet over medium heat and keep gently moving them around for about two minutes, just until they’re fragrant. Take care not to let them burn! This brings out their nutty flavor and makes them extra crunchy in the final salad.

Step 3: Mix Up the Fruits and Goodies

In a large mixing bowl, combine the prepared fruit cocktail (thoroughly drained except for that reserved syrup!), chunks of red apple, sliced or quartered strawberries, grapes, raisins, shredded coconut, and as many mini marshmallows as your heart desires. This glorious mix is already a celebration of flavors and color.

Step 4: Fold Everything Together

Pour about three-quarters of your blended creamy mixture over the fruit. Gently fold with a big spoon or spatula — you want to coat everything without crushing the fruit. Add more of the cream as needed to get every piece just lightly blanketed. If you have any leftover creamy dressing, it’ll keep nicely in the fridge for another treat.

Step 5: Chill and Serve

Cover your bowl tightly and refrigerate the salad for at least two hours. This helps the flavors meld and the salad get beautifully cold — absolutely essential for the classic Ensalada Navideña (Mexican Christmas Salad) experience! Serve straight from the fridge, and savor every festive bite.

How to Serve Ensalada Navideña (Mexican Christmas Salad)

Garnishes

A classic garnish for Ensalada Navideña (Mexican Christmas Salad) is a final sprinkle of toasted pecans or a little extra shredded coconut on top for sparkle. You can even dot a few extra marshmallows or a handful of halved strawberries to make the bowl pop on the table. Right before serving, I love adding a sprig of mint for color and a hint of freshness.

Side Dishes

This salad is often served alongside other Christmas favorites like roast turkey or pork, tamales, or sweet bread. It pairs beautifully with both savory and sweet dishes — try it with a mug of ponche navideño or even as a light dessert to finish a festive meal. It’s just as delicious with your morning coffee the next day.

Creative Ways to Present

For a showy holiday spread, heap the salad into a clear trifle dish, layering the fruit and cream for a gorgeous visual effect, or spoon individual portions into small cups or martini glasses for an elegant touch. For kids, serve it in fun bowls with extra marshmallows, and for a party, set up a DIY bar with extra toppings like coconut, nuts, or colorful candied cherries.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Ensalada Navideña (Mexican Christmas Salad) keeps wonderfully if covered tightly and refrigerated for up to 3 days. The fruits will soften a bit over time, but the flavors only deepen, making it sometimes even tastier the next day. If you want to preserve the crunch of pecans and marshmallows, add a fresh handful to each portion just before serving.

Freezing

This salad isn’t ideal for freezing, as the creamy dressing can separate and the fruits may turn watery when thawed. It’s definitely best enjoyed fresh — but honestly, leftovers tend to disappear before you’d even consider freezing!

Reheating

Good news: there’s no reheating required with Ensalada Navideña (Mexican Christmas Salad)! In fact, it’s meant to be served cold and creamy. If it’s been in the fridge for a while, just give it a gentle stir before serving.

FAQs

Can I use other fruits instead of the classic mix?

Definitely! While fruit cocktail, apples, and strawberries are traditional, feel free to swap in pineapple chunks, mandarin oranges, mango, or even diced pears. Use what’s ripe and available to you. Just remember to drain any canned or syrupy fruits well to keep the cream dressing from getting too thin.

Is Ensalada Navideña (Mexican Christmas Salad) actually a dessert or a side dish?

It happily straddles the line between them! Some Mexican families serve it as a sweet side to balance savory dishes, while others treat it as a dessert. There’s no wrong answer — wherever you put it on the table, it quickly disappears.

Can I make it dairy-free or vegan?

Absolutely! Try substituting dairy-free cream cheese, coconut cream for the media crema, and plant-based condensed and evaporated milks, all found at many grocery stores now. The flavor will shift a bit, but the spirit of this festive salad remains deliciously intact.

Why do you include marshmallows?

The mini marshmallows aren’t strictly traditional everywhere, but many families add them for a squishy, sweet texture and a bit of playful fun, especially for children. Skip them if you prefer, or add a little more coconut or chopped pineapple for extra interest.

How far in advance can I make Ensalada Navideña (Mexican Christmas Salad)?

It’s best made the day you plan to serve it, as the fruit stays freshest, but you can assemble it up to 24 hours ahead. If making ahead, wait to stir in the pecans and marshmallows until just before serving so they keep their texture.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking to bring joy and a burst of creamy, fruity cheer to your holiday celebrations, Ensalada Navideña (Mexican Christmas Salad) is simply unbeatable. It’s easy enough to whip up with the family, but special enough to wow your guests every time. Gather your ingredients and get ready to dive in — this festive tradition truly belongs at your table!

Ensalada Navideña (Mexican Christmas Salad) Recipe