Cranberry Jello Salad Recipe

This Easy Cranberry Salad Recipe combines simmered fresh cranberries, cherry jello, mandarin oranges, pineapple, and buttery sweet pecans or walnuts for a festive side dish or dessert for your Thanksgiving dinner.

Course side dish/dessert

Cuisine American

Keyword cranberry salad with jello, how to make cranberry jello salad, recipe for cranberry salad

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 10

Servings

Calories 109kcal

Author Beth Pierce

Ingredients

3 ½ cup water
12 ounces fresh cranberries
3 3-ounce boxes raspberry or cherry jello
2 cups ice
3 mandarin oranges peeled segmented, and segments cut in half
1 20-ounce crushed pineapple, drained
¾ cup pecans toasted and chopped

Instructions

In a large saucepan over medium heat, bring the water and cranberries to a boil. Then reduce to a simmer and cook until most of the cranberries have popped.
Add the jello and stir until it is dissolved. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the ice cubes until dissolved.
Stir in the oranges, pineapple, and pecans, reserving about 1/4 cup of pecans for the top after the jello starts to set.
Grease or coat a 9x13-inch dish with cooking spray. Pour the jello mixture into the prepared dish. Cover and refrigerate for about an hour. Sprinkle with the reserved chopped pecans.
Cover again and refrigerate overnight or until set.

Notes

Both cherry and raspberry jello work well with this recipe.
It is best to make this salad at least 1 day in advance to ensure that it is set before serving time.
Grease the bottom of the casserole dish with a thin layer of shortening or butter. It will help assist in slicing, removing, and serving the mold.
Drain the crushed pineapple, segment the mandarin oranges, and cut those in half.
Use canned pineapple, as fresh pineapple contains enzymes that will prevent the jello mold from setting up.
Both chopped pecan and chopped walnuts work great with this recipe.
For a change of pace, add peeled diced apple or fresh orange zest.
Serve with fresh whipped cream and nuts, or layer with a cream cheese topping.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
I do not recommend freezing jello as the consistency will change.

Nutrition