Looking for a festive addition to your holiday table? This Cranberry Jello Salad brings the perfect balance of sweet and tart flavors that your family will love. As a beloved holiday salad recipe, it combines fresh cranberries with fruits and nuts for a delightful mix of textures and tastes. This recipe has been bringing joy to family gatherings for generations, and it’s easy to see why it remains a favorite among both traditional and modern holiday spreads! I also have a delicious Creamy Raspberry Gelatin Dream you will love!
What You’ll Need
For this Cranberry salad, gather these simple ingredients:
- 2 (3 oz) packages of raspberry gelatin
- 2 cups boiling water
- 1 (14 oz) can whole cranberry sauce
- 1 (8 oz) can crushed pineapple, undrained
- 1 cup chopped celery
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
- 1/4 cup orange juice
- 1 orange, zested
Each ingredient plays a crucial role in creating the perfect balance of flavors. The raspberry gelatin provides a sweet base that complements the tartness of the cranberries. Fresh celery adds a wonderful crunch, while walnuts bring a rich, nutty element. The pineapple and orange juice introduce bright, tropical notes that lighten the overall taste.
Add-ins and Substitutions
Make this recipe your own with these creative swaps:
- Replace walnuts with pecans or almonds for a different crunch
- Swap raspberry gelatin for cherry or strawberry flavors
- Add diced apples for extra texture
- Use fresh cranberries (cooked and sweetened) instead of canned sauce
- Include chopped pears for a unique twist
- Try adding 1/2 cup of finely shredded coconut
- Mix in mini marshmallows for added sweetness
- Consider adding cream cheese chunks for richness
How to Make Cranberry Jello Salad
- Start by dissolving the raspberry gelatin in boiling water, stirring until completely clear (about 2 minutes)
- Add cranberry sauce while the mixture is warm, mixing until well combined
- Stir in undrained crushed pineapple and orange juice
- Let cool until slightly thickened (about 30 minutes)
- Fold in celery, nuts, and orange zest
- Pour into a 2-quart mold or serving bowl
- Refrigerate until firm (at least 4 hours)
The key to success lies in the timing and temperature of each step. When adding ingredients, make sure the gelatin mixture has cooled sufficiently but hasn’t started to set. This ensures an even distribution of fruits and nuts throughout the salad.
Recipe Tips
Your Cranberry Jello Salad will turn out perfectly every time with these helpful hints:
- Use boiling water (not just hot) for the gelatin to dissolve completely
- Drain excess juice from the cranberry sauce before adding
- Chop celery and nuts uniformly for the best texture
- Spray your mold with cooking spray for easy removal
- If unmolding, dip the mold in warm water for 10 seconds
- Test the firmness by gently touching the surface before unmolding
- Cut celery on a diagonal for more attractive pieces
- Toast nuts before adding them to intensify their flavor
- Zest the orange before juicing for maximum efficiency
Make This Cranberry Jello Salad in Advance
This holiday salad recipe is perfect for busy schedules:
- Prepare up to 7 days ahead
- Store covered in the refrigerator
- Don’t freeze, as it will affect the texture
- Let sit at room temperature for 5 minutes before serving
- If using a mold, unmold it just before serving
- Cover tightly with plastic wrap to prevent absorption of other food odors
- Keep away from strong-smelling foods in the refrigerator
- Place a paper towel under the cover to absorb any condensation
This Cranberry Jello Salad is a perfect addition to your Thanksgiving or Christmas table. Its vibrant color and refreshing taste complement rich holiday dishes like turkey, ham, or roasted chicken. Easy to prepare, it’s suitable for both everyday meals and special occasions.
This versatile recipe is simple enough for beginners and features a delightful mix of smooth jello, crunchy nuts, and celery, offering a sweet-tart flavor that encourages seconds.
Save this recipe for your holiday gatherings; it’s sure to become a beloved family favorite! Its bright red hue adds visual appeal, and it can be made ahead to lessen the stress of busy celebrations.
More Recipes You Will Love!
PrintCranberry Jello Salad Recipe
- Total Time: 4 hours, 45 minutes (includes chilling)
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
- 2 (3 oz) packages of raspberry gelatin
- 2 cups boiling water
- 1 (14 oz) can whole cranberry sauce
- 1 (8 oz) can crushed pineapple, undrained
- 1 cup chopped celery
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
- 1/4 cup orange juice
- 1 orange, zested
Instructions
- Start by dissolving the raspberry gelatin in boiling water, stirring until completely clear (about 2 minutes)
- Add cranberry sauce while mixture is warm, mixing until well combined
- Stir in undrained crushed pineapple and orange juice
- Let cool until slightly thickened (about 30 minutes)
- Fold in celery, nuts, and orange zest
- Pour into a 2-quart mold or serving bowl
- Refrigerate until firm (at least 4 hours)
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: None (chilling time required)
- Category: Salad, Dessert
- Method: No-bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8th of the recipe
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3.5g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g