What is Junk Yard Salad? The name alone prompts you to click on it out of curiosity to find out what it is. And I couldn’t help but chuckle the first time I saw its name. Junk Yard Salad is a perfect potluck dish or goes well with an outdoor summer picnic. But with that being said, it’s not one you’d typically eat while on a diet. It’s delicious and sweet.
Junk Yard Salad is a deliciously sweet salad made with cherry pie filling, crushed pineapple, sweetened condensed milk, mini marshmallows and cool whip. Have this readily available in your recipe box when you don’t have time to spend in the kitchen. This is one of those dishes that can be whipped up in 5 minutes tops. It’s so easy and you’ll appreciate the simplicity it includes as well as the quick preparation. It literally includes opening a can of this and a can of that and then mixing it all together. For best results, allow time to chill.
Shopping List for Junk Yard Salad
Cherry Pie Filling
Crushed Pineapple
Sweetened Condensed Milk
Cool Whip
Mini Marshmallows
Tools Used for Junk Yard Salad
Mixing Bowl
Can Opener
Mixing Spatula
Tips for Junk Yard Salad
Cherry Pie Filling:
For best results in flavor and appearance, we recommend Comstock canned cherry pie filling. It is rich red in color and has the best flavor of canned cherry pie filling. Other canned cherry pie filling can be duller in appearance, which can lead to a dull appearance in the outcome of the salad overall. Using Comstock canned cherry pie filling will allow the outcome to be nice and pink, which is really quite appetizing.
Allow Time To Chill:
If possible, allow at least an hour for Junk Yard Salad to chill in the refrigerator before serving. For best results, prepare the day before and allow it to cool in the refrigerator overnight.
Add-Ins for Crunch:
You might like to add a bit of crunch to your Junk Yard Salad by sprinkling nuts such as pecans, almonds or walnuts over the top. We’ve also used toasted sweetened coconut pieces to the top to add some texture. Try a variety of add-ins and let us know what your favorites are.
Lower Calorie Junk Yard Salad:
Although we agree that this is not a recipe you’d want to try if you’re on a low-calorie or low sugar diet. However, there are some ways that you can decrease the calories and sugar such as using fat-free ingredients and sugar free substitutes.
What to Eat with Junk Yard Salad
Junk Yard Salad is the perfect potluck pleaser dish or summertime picnic salad.It goes well with pulled pork, grilled ribs, chicken or burgers or anything savory really.
How to Store Junk Yard Salad
Junk Yard Salad can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 4 days if sealed in an airtight container or wrapped in saran wrap. However, the quality is best if it is eaten in the first 24 hours and has been chilled. Junk Yard Salad can be frozen, but freezing it can change the consistency as the cool whip and sweetened condensed milk tend to separate when thawed.
How To Make Junk Yard Salad
With these kinds of recipes, you don’t really need a recipe. It’s just a matter of opening a few cans and mixing it all together. But since we’re passionate about recipes and that’s what we do, we’ve prepared a recipe for you.
Ingredients
21 oz can Cherry Pie Filling
21 oz can Crushed Pineapple, drained
14 oz can Sweetened Condensed Milk
8 oz Cool Whip
1 cup Mini Marshmallows
Directions
In a large mixing bowl, mix 1 can cherry pie filling, 1 can crushed pineapple, drained, 1 can sweetened condensed milk, 8 oz cool whip, thawed, 1 cup of mini marshmallows. Stir until just combined. Sprinkle with any nuts or add-ins.
Other Fluff Salad Recipes
Pistachio Mallow Salad
In a large bowl, combine 16 oz whipped topping, 1 pkg pudding mix and 6 drops green food coloring if desired. Fold in 3 cups marshmallows and 1 can pineapple tidbits drained. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Just before serving, top with additional whipped topping if desired, sprinkle with nuts.
Ambrosia Salad
In a large bowl, combine 15 oz can mandarin oranges drained, 8 oz pineapple tidbits drained, 1 cup mini marshmallows and 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut. Add 1 cup sour cream and toss to mix. Cover and refrigerate for several hours.
Creamy Pineapple Fluff Salad
Beat 8 oz cream cheese, 1 can sweetened condensed milk and ¼ cup lemon juice until smooth. Add 2 cans pineapple tidbits drained and 1 cup mini marshmallows, fold in 8 oz whipped topping, sprinkle with ½ cup chopped nuts, 1/3 cup maraschino cherries drained. Chill.
Cranberry Waldorf Salad
Combine 2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries, halved and ¾ cup sugar. Let stand 30 minutes. Add 3 cups mini marshmallows, 2 cups chopped apples, ½ cup chopped nuts, ¾ cup pineapple tidbits drained, 1 cup halved green grapes. Gently fold in 1 cup heavy cream whipped. Chill.
Two Berry Fluff Salad
Beat 8 oz cream cheese with 1 ½ cup confectioner’s sugar, 2 cups heavy whipping cream, fold in 8 cups sliced strawberries and 2 cups blueberries.
Orange Fluff Salad
Mix 3 oz lemon gelatin with 1 cup sour cream, 2 cans mandarin oranges, 1 can pineapple tidbits, drained, 8 oz cool whip and pastel mini marshmallows.
Junk Yard Salad
Equipment
- large mixing bowl
- mixing spatula
- can opener
Ingredients
- 1 can Cherry Pie Filling
- 1 can Crushed Pineapple, drained
- 1 can Sweetened Condensed Milk
- 8 oz Cool Whip, thawed
- 1 cup Mini Marshmallows
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, mix 1 can cherry pie filling, 1 can crushed pineapple, drained, 1 can sweetened condensed milk, 8 oz cool whip, thawed, 1 cup of mini marshmallows. Stir until just combined. Sprinkle with any nuts or add-ins.
Have you tried this recipe? Leave us a star rating in the comments below and let us know what you think.
For more recipes like this one, follow us on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
You might also like:
Wedge Salad Recipe
Best Loaded Potato Salad
Purslane Salad With Lemon Shallot Dressing
Share it on Pinterest!
