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Cranberry Jello salad is the perfect dish to serve with turkey and more. You only need 3 ingredients to make this sweet and delicious jello salad.
This congealed salad is the perfect blend of sweet and tart and super easy. It is the perfect compliment for turkey and stuffing. I grew up with this 3 Ingredient family recipe, so I knew I had to continue serving it to my family.
You might also like our Crock Pot Homemade Cranberry Sauce Recipe, Ambrosia Salad with Jello, Raspberry Jello Salad, or cranberry relish. This side dish recipe is a classic recipe that is budget friendly and always a family favorite.
Table of Contents
Why We Love this Cranberry Pineapple Jello Salad:
This cranberry jell-o salad is the perfect side dish to make for your Christmas dinner. It also pairs perfectly with Thanksgiving Turkey and can also be served as a dessert.
The delicious raspberry flavor and soft texture is even better topped with a cream cheese frosting or whipped cream. Make this show stopper dish and place in the center of your holiday table as the perfect centerpiece.
Ingredients:
- Raspberry Gelatin – The main ingredient is this raspberry gelatin. But the name from the salad comes from the Cranberry Sauce. The raspberry jello combines perfectly with other ingredients.
- Crushed Pineapple in Juice – Do not skip on this ingredients. It provides the perfect texture that is needed for this recipe. Remember do not drain the juice from the crushed pineapple.
- Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce – Ever wonder what the canned cranberry sauce is used for? This is probably the main dish that we use it for.
It is that simple. Just 3 ingredients. The recipe is super easy. For the full recipe instructions, scroll to the bottom to see recipe card.
Variations
We love recipes that you add or change the ingredients on what you have at home. Here are some of our favorites to this recipe:
- Add in apple chunks – Traditionally this recipe calls for apple chunks. It is really easy to add in apples. Just chop up an apple, you can peel it or leave the skin on. It is completely up to you.
- Chopped Nuts – Adding in chopped walnuts is how I remember this recipe growing up. Again, this is definitely up to you and this jello salad is just as good without them. Chopped Pecans is another great addition.
- Toppings – Whipped cream is optional but it definitely makes this recipe even better. We normally top each serving with whipped cream. But another option is to spread it all over the top of the baking dish. You can do this right before serving.
- Change Jello – Feel free to change the jello to cherry jello or strawberry jello to keep with the red flavor.
- Add in Fruit – Feel free to add in orange zest or mandarin oranges for a vibrant orange color.
How to Make Cranberry Jello Salad:
- Step 1 – Spray a 9 inch square pan with cooking spray. Set aside.
- Step 2 – Get out a medium bowl and put the raspberry gelatin inside.
- Step 3 – Then you will boil the water in the microwave or on the stovetop in a saucepan.
- Step 4 – Add a cup of the boiling water to the raspberry gelatin. Whisk constantly for 2 minutes until the Jello is completely dissolved.
- Step 5 – Once everything is dissolved, stir in ½ cup of cold water.
- Step 6 – Stir in the crushed pineapple with the juice and the cranberry sauce.
- Step 7 – Make sure everything is well combined and pour the mixture into the pan you prepared earlier.
- Step 8 – Cover it with plastic wrap and refrigerate it until the Jello has set. It should be firm.
- Step 9 – It needs to be refrigerated for a minimum of 6 hours or up to 3 days before.
We love to serve it with with fresh cranberries and whipped cream. Not only does it look so pretty and festive but it tastes delicious.
Recipe Tips:
- Best Pan – We make this recipe in a 9×9 baking dish but it can also be prepare in a 6 cup Jello mold. Place the mixture in the gelatin mold and refrigerate.
- Release from Jello Mold – To release it from the gelatin mold, place the bottom 2/3 of the mold in hot water for about 30 seconds. Then flip the open part of the mold until a serving platter. Refrigerate the jello salad on the plate until you are ready to serve.
- Combining Ingredients – Make sure that everything powdered Jello is completely dissolved before adding other ingredients.
- Refrigerate – The Jello Salad needs to be placed in the fridge to allow the mixture to thickened. We like to make it the night before serving so the mixture can thicken overnight.
Can I Add Any Fruit to this Salad?
There are certain fresh fruit that can’t be added to this salad because of a chemical reaction that will happen. Here are some fresh fruit that I would avoid.
- Fresh Pineapple
- Kiwi
- Fresh Mango
Frequently Asked Questions:
Keep the dish covered with plastic wrap. It should be stored in the fridge until ready to enjoy. It will stay fresh for up to 3 days if stored properly.
Yes, this is one of those dishes that you can make ahead to save time. Make this up to 3 days in advance. I actually think it is taste better made in advance. The ingredients have time to marinate together.
You definitely can freeze this salad but we have found that the the flavor and texture changes a bit. If you prefer to freeze this cranberry salad, make sure to store in a freezer container.
More Thanksgiving Recipes to Make:
- Corn casserole
- Crockpot Mashed Potatoes
- Green Bean Casserole
- Mandarin Orange Jello Salad Recipe
- Try one of our 50 Easy Thanksgiving Dinner Recipes
More Easy Cranberry Salad Recipes:
- Broccoli Cranberry Salad
- Cranberry Orange Crock Pot Pork Tenderloin Recipe
- Easy Cranberry Orange Bread Recipe
If you try this Cranberry Jello Salad Recipe, make sure to leave us a comment.
Cranberry Jello Salad
Ingredients
- 2 boxes Raspberry Gelatin 3 oz. each
- 1 can of Crushed Pineapple in Juice 20 oz., do not drain
- 1 can of Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce 14 oz.
Instructions
- Spray a 9 inch square pan with a non-stick cooking spray.
- Place the raspberry gelatin in a medium size bowl. Add in 1 cup of boil water and whisk constantly for 2 minutes until the gelatin is completely dissolved. Then stir in ½ cup of cold water.
- Then stir in the crushed pineapple with the juice and the cranberry sauce.
- Then pour the mixture into the 9 inch pan, cover it with plastic wrap and refrigerate it until it’s firm.
- Refrigerate for a minimum of 6 hours or up to 3 days before.
- Serve topped with fresh cranberries and reddi-whip if you prefer and enjoy!
Yes.
Easy and delicious!
Can you use cranberry sauce without the whole cranberries in the can
This salad was so easy and turned out perfect for our family Thanksgiving. So delicious.
I haven’t tried adding cream cheese.
Can cream cheese be used in the recipe?
I have not tried that yet.
Sounds great! Can any other Jello be used instead of raspberry?
Thank you for taking the time to leave a rating.
I forgot to add my 5 star rating!
Just finished making this yummy concoction! I added mandarin oranges along with pineapple and cranberry sauce. Going to add a cream cheese and sour cream topping. Thanks for sharing your scrumptious recipe! I also put it in a larger container.
I make mine with Mandarin oranges, drained crushed pineapple, celery, nuts, and cherry jello. After the Jello sets I mix in 8 oz tub of Cool Whip Whip cream. I grew up with this jello, and instead of canned cranberry sauce I crush fresh cranberries. I guess it could taste the same if I used canned cranberry sauce. Maybe I can try this year. Happy Holidays
My mother-in-law thinks i cant cook..lol i cant wait to make the cranberry salad and the deviled eggs.
I’ll be making this for Thanksgiving. I always male some kind of jello salad. I may add chopped nuts to it.
Love this recipe. Totally can be used in place of the one I always use with fresh cranberries which are seasonal. I make this like ten times a year and freeze fresh cranberries – now I can use this!! Plus this over has less sugar!! Thank you
What size of pan would you use if you were going to double the recipe ?
Yes, I think that mandarin oranges would be delicious in this recipe.
C an you use mandarin oranges,,,dont care for pineapples in the cranberry jello salad~~~