Cranberry Jello Salad (2024)

This scrumptious Cranberry Jello Salad is always on our holiday table. The combination of tart and sweet go perfectly together.

This is the perfect side dish to my Thanksgiving Turkey recipe and bacon green bean salad.

Cranberry Jello Salad Recipe Details

Cranberry Jello Salad is a must for our family on Thanksgiving because we love the way it tastes with turkey. You are going to adore this festive recipe.

• TASTE: Sweet, tart, and a little nutty, this dish has a lot of delicious fruity flavor.
• TEXTURE: Smooth and light, this Cranberry Jello Salad has plenty of chunks of juicy fruit and crunchy walnuts.
• TIME: This recipe will only take you 12 minutes to make.
• EASE: Super easy and with only 4 ingredients, you can even make it ahead of time.

What You’ll Need

Ingredient Notes

• Walnuts- These little nuggets of crunchy, nutty flavor are the perfect complement to the smoother, fruitier flavors here. They can aslo be replaced with pecans as well.
• Crushed pineapple- Because this is crushed, it mixes seamlessly into the jello and adds just enough texture. The bright, sweet taste of pineapple is amazing here. Just make sure NOT to get pineapple chunks. There is too much liquid in there.

Add-ins and Substitutions

• Add orange zest- Zest packs a lot of bright, strong flavor, so adding this to the Cranberry Jello Salad will enhance the citrusy notes with delicious results.
• Make it with celery- This is an alternative that some people really like because of the added texture the celery gives. Just remember to chop it fine.
• Use another jello flavor- In place of raspberry jello, you can also make this with other jello flavors, such as cherry and cranberry and it will taste equally good.
• Make it in a mold- If you like the look of a mold, you can pour the mixture into one and let it set. If you’re having trouble getting it out, use hot water on the outside to loosen it.

How to Make Cranberry Jello Salad

• Dissolve the jello. In a large measuring cup, dissolve the raspberry jello powder with hot water. Then add cold water.
• Add the rest of the ingredients. In a large bowl, combine the whole berry cranberry sauce, crushed pineapple, and chopped walnuts. Then pour in the jello and stir until mixed thoroughly.
• Let it set. Pour the jello into either a large pan with raised edges or individual cups. Refrigerate overnight until it sets.

Pro Tip:Use boiling hot water to dissolve the jello powder because it will mix faster and you’ll have fewer clumps to break up.

Recipe Tips

• Dissolve the gelatin in hot water- This helps it break up more quickly and thoroughly so there are no clumps left. Then add the cold water once this is done.
• Use crushed pineapple- When it’s crushed, the pieces are a lot smaller and it’s easier to mix into the jello mixture than tidbits or rings you’ve cut. It also incorporates lots of juice. If you leave some of the liquid from the crushed pineapple. Then it is better to enjoy this recipe cold. Since it can be a little runny from the additional liquid.
• Chop the walnuts finely- While this Cranberry Jello Salad is chunky, you don’t want to overwhelm it with walnuts. Chop them small so they mix and blend with the fruit.
• Let it set overnight- Don’t rush this or the texture will be too watery. If you’re worried about time, make this a day or two ahead so it’s fully set and ready to be served.

FAQs

Serving Suggestions

This Cranberry Jello Salad is a tasty side dish that works great at holiday meals. Here are some ways to serve it.

• Meats: This sweet-tart side dish is delicious with Juicy Thanksgiving Turkey, Garlic Herb Crown Roast of Pork, and Roasted Chicken.
• Vegetables: Serve this Cranberry Jello Salad with Bacon Green Bean Salad, Crispy Air Fryer Broccoli, Bacon Wrapped Asparagus, and Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts.
• Potatoes: Try this side dish alongside Scalloped Potatoes Recipe, Super Creamy Mashed Potatoes, Crispy Air Fryer Baby Potatoes, or Air Fryer Baked Potatoes.
• Dessert: This makes an elegant dessert, so you can dress it up with some Chantilly Cream and serve it with Pumpkin Cheesecake (VIDEO) and Homemade Apple Pie.

Make This Cranberry Jello Salad in Advance

Make ahead: You can make this a couple of days in advance. Just cover it with plastic wrap and leave it in the refrigerator until it’s time to serve. If you’re using a mold, leave it in the mold until you are ready to plate and serve it.

Storing: Store this Cranberry Jello Salad in the refrigerator, covered, for up to one week. After that, the texture will begin to change.

Freeze: It’s not a good idea to freeze this dish because as it thaws, it becomes watery and clumpy. Best to keep it in the fridge.

More Delicious Holiday Dishes!

Full Recipe Instructions