Ensalada Navideña (Mexican Christmas Salad) Recipe
If you’re looking to bring a burst of festive cheer and a delightful mix of creamy textures and fresh fruity flavors to your holiday table, the Ensalada Navideña (Mexican Christmas Salad) Recipe is an absolute must-try. This traditional Mexican Christmas salad combines luscious creams, toasted pecans, a variety of fresh fruits, and a hint of coconut, making every bite a celebration of sweet, tart, and crunchy sensations. It’s vibrant, refreshing, and surprisingly simple, perfect for sharing with a big crowd or enjoying as a cool treat during the holiday season.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Ensalada Navideña comes from a handful of simple, yet essential ingredients. Each element brings its own unique texture and flavor, from the creamy dairy base to the crisp apples and juicy grapes. Toasted pecans add crunch, while the mini marshmallows and shredded coconut provide fun bursts of sweetness and chew.
- Condensed milk (14 ounces): Adds rich sweetness and a smooth, creamy texture that balances the fresh fruit.
- Evaporated milk (12 ounces): Lightens the creaminess, giving a delicate milkiness without overpowering the salad.
- Media crema (7.6 ounces): A Mexican-style cream that enriches the dressing; plain or vanilla yogurt works as a great substitute.
- Cream cheese (8 ounces, softened): Provides body and tanginess to the creamy dressing.
- Pecans (1 cup, chopped): Toasted to enhance their nutty flavor and add crunchy contrast.
- Fruit cocktail in syrup (30 ounces, drained with syrup reserved): Offers a variety of mixed fruits contributing sweetness and texture.
- Red apples (4 large, chunked): Keep the skin on for a vibrant color and a satisfying crunch.
- Fresh strawberries (12 to 16 ounces): Sweet and juicy, they bring a bright pop of flavor and color.
- Green grapes (8 ounces): Bite-sized bursts of sweet freshness that balance the creamy base.
- Raisins (1 cup): Tiny chewy bits that add depth and more natural sweetness.
- Shredded coconut (1 cup, sweetened or unsweetened): Gives a lovely tropical hint and texture.
- Mini marshmallows (optional): For those who love a little extra fun and sweetness in every spoonful.
How to Make Ensalada Navideña (Mexican Christmas Salad) Recipe
Step 1: Blend the Creamy Base
Start by adding the condensed milk, evaporated milk, media crema, softened cream cheese, and half a cup of the reserved fruit cocktail syrup to a blender or food processor. Blend everything together until it becomes a smooth, luscious cream. This blend is the heart of your salad, combining the creamy and tangy flavors that tie the whole dish together.
Step 2: Toast the Pecans
While the creamy mixture rests, toast the chopped pecans in a small skillet over medium heat for about two minutes. Be sure to keep them moving so they toast evenly and don’t burn. Toasting brings out their natural oils and gives a richer, nutty flavor that will add a delightful crunch to your salad.
Step 3: Mix the Fruits and Extras
In a large bowl, combine the drained fruit cocktail, fresh apples, strawberries, grapes, raisins, shredded coconut, and mini marshmallows if you’re using them. The fresh fruits should be mixed gently so they maintain their shape and texture, creating a vibrant and colorful medley.
Step 4: Fold in the Cream Mixture
Pour the creamy milk blend over the fruits and pecans. Gently fold everything together until the fruit is well coated with the luscious cream. Be careful not to overmix; you want to keep those beautiful fruit chunks intact and not overly mushy.
Step 5: Chill and Serve
Cover the bowl and refrigerate the salad for at least two hours. This chilling time lets the flavors meld beautifully and ensures a refreshing, cool salad that’s perfect for the holiday season. When ready, give it a gentle stir and serve cold for a crisp and creamy delight.
How to Serve Ensalada Navideña (Mexican Christmas Salad) Recipe
Garnishes
Top your Ensalada Navideña with a few extra toasted pecans or a sprinkle of shredded coconut right before serving. These garnishes add an attractive finishing touch and an extra bit of texture that guests will appreciate. You can even add a few whole strawberries or a sprig of fresh mint for a festive flair.
Side Dishes
This salad pairs wonderfully with rich or savory Mexican dishes such as tamales, pozole, or your favorite roasted meats. Its sweetness and creaminess provide a fantastic balance to spicy and hearty mains, making it a versatile and crowd-pleasing addition to your Christmas feast.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve the salad in individual clear cups or festive bowls that highlight the colorful layers of fruit and cream. You might also consider layering it parfait-style with extra pecans and coconut on top for a visually stunning presentation that doubles as a conversation starter.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftovers covered and refrigerated in an airtight container. The salad will stay fresh and delicious for up to three days, though the fruit is freshest on the first day. Avoid storing it much longer to maintain that perfect crispness and creaminess balance.
Freezing
Because of the fresh fruit and creamy dressing, this salad is not suitable for freezing. Freezing would alter the texture of the fruits and separate the dairy components, so it’s best to enjoy it fresh within a few days.
Reheating
Ensalada Navideña is best served cold, so reheating is not recommended. Let leftovers come to a slightly cooler room temperature before serving if desired, but keep it chilled for the most satisfying experience.
FAQs
Can I use other fruits in this salad?
Absolutely! While the traditional Ensalada Navideña includes apples, strawberries, grapes, and fruit cocktail, feel free to swap in similar fruits like pears, kiwi, or mandarin segments based on what’s fresh and available.
What can I substitute for media crema if I can’t find it?
If media crema is unavailable, plain yogurt or a mild vanilla yogurt works well as a substitute. It will still provide creaminess and a light tang without overpowering the other ingredients.
Is this salad very sweet? Can I adjust the sweetness?
Yes, this salad is on the sweeter side due to the condensed milk and fruit cocktail syrup. If you prefer it less sweet, reduce the condensed milk slightly or rinse the canned fruit cocktail before draining to remove some syrup.
Can I prepare this salad the night before a party?
Definitely! This salad actually tastes better after chilling overnight as the flavors meld together beautifully. Just make sure to add any crunchy garnishes like toasted pecans right before serving to keep them crisp.
Are mini marshmallows a traditional ingredient?
Mini marshmallows are optional and often included as a fun, sweet addition. Traditional recipes might omit them, but if you love that chewy, sugary contrast, go ahead and add as many as you like.
Final Thoughts
Embracing the joy of the holidays with the bright, creamy, and colorful Ensalada Navideña (Mexican Christmas Salad) Recipe is truly a gift to your taste buds. Its beautiful combination of textures and flavors makes it a standout side dish that’s both comforting and festive. I can’t wait for you to try it and share the warmth and happiness this salad brings to any celebration!
PrintEnsalada Navideña (Mexican Christmas Salad) Recipe
Ensalada Navideña is a traditional Mexican Christmas fruit salad combining a creamy mixture of condensed milk, evaporated milk, media crema, and cream cheese with a vibrant mix of fresh fruits, toasted pecans, raisins, coconut, and optional mini marshmallows. This refreshing, sweet, and crunchy salad is perfect for holiday gatherings and can be prepared in just 15 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
Cream Mixture
- 14 ounces can condensed milk
- 12 ounces can evaporated milk
- 7.6 ounces can media crema (or plain/vanilla yogurt as substitute)
- 8 ounces cream cheese block, softened (not melted)
- ½ cup reserved fruit cocktail syrup
Fruit and Mix-ins
- 1 cup pecans, cut into small pieces
- 30 ounces can fruit cocktail in syrup, drained
- 4 large red apples, cut into chunks with skin
- 12 to 16 ounces fresh strawberries
- 8 ounces grapes (preferably green)
- 1 cup raisins
- 1 cup shredded coconut (unsweetened or sweetened)
- Mini marshmallows (optional, as much as desired)
Instructions
- Blend the Cream Mixture: In a blender or food processor, combine the condensed milk, evaporated milk, media crema, cream cheese, and ½ cup of the reserved fruit cocktail syrup. Blend until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Set aside.
- Toast Pecans: Heat a small skillet over medium heat. Add the pecans and toast them for about 2 minutes, stirring continuously to prevent burning. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Prepare Fruit Base: In a large bowl, combine the drained fruit cocktail, chopped apples with skin, fresh strawberries, green grapes, raisins, shredded coconut, and mini marshmallows if using. Mix gently to distribute ingredients evenly.
- Fold in Cream Mixture: Pour the blended cream mixture over the fruit and fold gently until all the fruits and mix-ins are evenly coated. Use just enough cream mixture to cover the fruit; some cream mixture may remain.
- Chill: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate the salad for at least 2 hours to allow flavors to meld and the salad to chill thoroughly.
- Serve: Serve the Ensalada Navideña cold as a refreshing holiday dessert or side dish. Store any leftover cream mixture in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Notes
- You can substitute media crema with plain or vanilla yogurt if unavailable.
- Keep the skin on the apples to add extra crunch to the salad.
- Reserve ½ cup of the fruit cocktail syrup to add to the cream mixture for extra sweetness and flavor.
- Toasted pecans add a lovely nuttiness; be careful not to burn them.
- Mini marshmallows are optional but add a fun texture and sweetness.
- Any leftover cream mixture can be refrigerated for up to one week for future use.
Keywords: Ensalada Navideña, Mexican Christmas Salad, fruit salad, holiday salad, creamy fruit salad, pecan salad, festive dessert
