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This simple cranberry jello salad should be on your radar, especially during the holiday season. With just 10 minutes of prep time, you can have this ready and chilling in no time. This simple jello salad recipe has minimal ingredients yet is loaded with maximum flavor. The sweet and refreshing side dish is what makes this a holiday hit!
Cranberries are a staple for the holiday season. If you’re looking for more tart and sweet cranberry recipes, try my Cranberry Sauce, Cranberry Brie Bites, or Cranberry Fluff!
Why you’ll love my cranberry jello salad!
Cranberries are one of my favorite sides on the holiday table, and this cranberry jello salad ranks all the way at the top. Even though this jello dessert has to chill for two hours to firm up, I promise you it’s 100% worth the wait!
There are very few fruit salad recipes out there that grab hold and take charge of your taste buds like this one. As a result, it’s one holiday side dish you’ll love making every holiday season.
Here are some reasons you’ll go back for seconds:
- Simple and Easy: With just 10 minutes of prep and no complicated cooking techniques, this easy side dish is great for beginners or busy cooks.
- Nostalgic: For many families, this holiday side dish tastes like tradition. You may remember this dish on your grandmother’s table or at holiday buffets.
- Flavor Balance: The sweet and tangy flavors are a nice surprise from delicious carb-heavy sides like cheesy potatoes, soft dinner rolls, and sausage stuffing.
- Kid-friendly: Even picky eaters will love this sweet and fruity dish. Pair it with a dollop of whipped cream for a sweet and creamy topping!
- Make-ahead Friendly: This is the perfect holiday side dish to prep a day in advance. It allows plenty of time to set before serving.
For a more savory take on cranberries, try my Cranberry Jalapeño Dip With Cream Cheese!
Table of contents
Ingredients You Need
You’ll just need a handful of ingredients you can find at your local grocery store.
See recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
- Raspberry jello – You’ll need to use 6 ounces total. I find that the raspberry flavor works really well with cranberry. See the variations below if you are looking for other flavor ideas.
- Crushed pineapple – Use canned crushed pineapple. Do not use fresh pineapple as fresh will prevent the jello from setting.
- Whole berry cranberry sauce – Whole cranberries add a fun texture and flavor. You can use canned whole cranberry sauce or homemade cranberry sauce.
- Honeycrisp apple – I find that honeycrisp balances the tartness of the cranberries, but you can substitute with another type of apple, if desired.
- Chopped pecans – You can use your food processor to chop them. For nut free, omit the nuts.
- Cranberry juice – Adds natural sweetness.
- Boiling water
Variations
- Swap out the nuts: If you don’t want pecans, you can also use chopped walnuts.
- Change the type of jello for a new flavor: Strawberry, raspberry, and even fruit punch would all taste great!
- Use Granny Smith apples: Use tart apples, like Granny Smith, to change the sweetness of the cranberry and jello salad.
- Add the zest of orange: For a kick of zesty flavor, you can zest an orange and stir it into the mixture. Or just use the orange zest as garnish for serving.
How To Make Cranberry Jello Salad
Just 10 minutes of prep and 2 hours of chill time for this tasty jello salad. Make it ahead and enjoy for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner!
- Mix: Add the jello powder to a large bowl, and whisk in the boiling water until the powder is completely dissolved.
- Stir: Add the crushed pineapple (plus the juice in the can), and stir.
- Add: Add the cranberry sauce. If there are bigger chunks, break them up into smaller pieces. Add the chopped pecans and chopped apple, and stir.
- Pour: Add the jello mixture into a 9×13 baking dish.
- Chill: Cover with plastic wrap and transfer the dish to the fridge to chill for at least 2 hours.
- Serve: You can serve this from the baking dish, or scoop it into a serving bowl.
Serving Suggestions
A garnish adds a pop of color or texture. Garnish just before serving so the topping stays crisp and fresh.
- If you want to add a fun topping to this jello salad dessert, finish it with a little whipped cream or Cool Whip just before serving!
- Add a fresh mint sprig for a contrast of color.
- For a snowy, vintage look add some toasted coconut flakes on top of the whipped cream.
- If you have sugared or fresh cranberries, you can also use them for garnish.
Storage Instructions
- Fridge: Transfer leftovers to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2-3 days. I do not recommend freezing this recipe!
Frequently Asked Questions
If the jello salad is runny, let it sit a bit longer in the fridge. Don’t rush the chilling process – it’s important to the final texture!
You should not use fresh pineapple in jello salad as it contains an enzyme called bromelain that prevents the jello from solidifying. If you want to use fresh pineapple, then you need to boil or steam it for several minutes to deactivate the enzyme.
Yes, feel free to mix and match any fruit you have on hand and like best, such as halved grapes, sliced oranges, or cherries.
For More Make Ahead Holiday Dishes, try these next!
Side Dishes
Homemade Cornbread
Side Dishes
Southern Baked Mac and Cheese
Thanksgiving
Classic Turkey Gravy
All Recipes
No-Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake
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Cranberry Jello Salad
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
- Can opener
- Measuring cup
- 9×13 baking dish
- Rubber spatula or spoon
Ingredients
- 2 boxes raspberry jello 6 ounces total
- 1½ cups boiling water
- 1 can crushed pineapple 20 ounces
- 1 can whole berry cranberry sauce 15 ounces
- 1 apple Honeycrisp – peeled and chopped
- ½ cup pecans chopped
- ¾ cup cranberry juice
Instructions
- Add the jello powder to a mixing bowl and whisk in the boiling water. Whisk until the jello is dissolved completely.2 boxes raspberry jello, 1½ cups boiling water
- Add the crushed pineapple (plus the juice in the can) and stir.1 can crushed pineapple
- Add the cranberry sauce. If there are bigger chunks and pieces, break them up into smaller pieces.1 can whole berry cranberry sauce
- Stir in the chopped pecans and chopped apple then mix in the cranberry juice.1 apple, ½ cup pecans, ¾ cup cranberry juice
- Add the jello mixture into a 9×13 dish. Put the dish in the fridge to chill for 2 hours.
- You can serve this from the baking dish or scoop it into a serving bowl.
Video
Notes
- Don’t skip the chill time: This allows the flavors to meld and helps the jello firm up. Chill for the full 2 hours.
- Only use canned pineapple: Do not use fresh pineapple as it contains enzymes that will prevent the gelatin from setting.
- Chop the apple and pecans into small pieces: I like to cut the apples into small pieces so there aren’t any big chunks.
- Serve with whipped cream: For a sweet topping, serve with a dollop of whipped cream.
This can be made the night before, correct?
This would be such a hit on the Christmas table!
Such a classic holiday treat!
So delicious! perfect for the holidays!
This one’s going straight into my recipe binder.