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Cranberry Jello Salad is a recipe that you need for Thanksgiving this year! Featuring cranberries, Jello, crushed pineapple, mandarin oranges and cream cheese, this Jello salad can be served as a side dish or a refreshing dessert.
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Pin It NowCRANBERRY JELLO SALAD IS REFRESHING AND DELICIOUS!
Jello salad is a classic, and a nostalgic staple in my home growing up, especially during holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas. I remember my mom and grandma had a Jello salad recipe for every occasion.
I realize that not everyone grew up with Jello salad making an appearance at every Sunday family dinner and holiday, so the combination of “Jello” with “salad” is a bit of an oxymoron.
Just trust that somehow, the combination of gelatin with fruits, nuts, and a variety of other ingredients, is actually quite refreshing and delicious.
This Cranberry Jello salad can be served alongside Thanksgiving dinner, or as a light and refreshing dessert. Made with Jello, crushed pineapple, cream cheese, mandarin oranges, and whole cranberry sauce, it is a recipe you need to add to your list of Thanksgiving recipes this year. Let’s go to the kitchen and make it.
❤️ Ashley
WELCOME TO THE KITCHEN, LET’S MAKE CRANBERRY JELLO SALAD FOR THANKSGIVING
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to make Cranberry Jello Salad for your Thanksgiving dinner or dessert.
Cranberry Jello Salad Ingredients:
Gather your ingredients. You will need:
- Jello
- Boiling Water
- Ice cold water
- Crushed Pineapple with juice
- Cream cheese
- Powdered sugar
- Sour cream
- Mandarin oranges
- Whole cranberry Sauce
- Optional ingredients: zest from 1 orange, chopped nuts
Make the Jello Layer
- Dissolve Jello powder with boiling water in a large bowl.
- Drain pineapple juice into a 1 cup measuring cup. I got about 3 ounces of juice. Fill up the remainder of the measuring up with ice cold water.
- Stir to combine, then refrigerate for about 20-30 minutes.
Make the Creamy Layer
My version of Cranberry Jello Salad features a cream cheese layer.
- In a separate medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream and powdered sugar.
- Use a hand mixer to mix until smooth and creamy.
Combine the Creamy Layer with the Jello
- Remove the Jello base from the refrigerator and stir in the creamy layer. It will take some patience to get it well combined.
- Stir in crushed pineapple, mandarin oranges, whole cranberry sauce.
- Add in any additional options like orange zest and chopped nuts.
- Stir to combine.
Refrigerate
- Pour the Jello salad into a 9×13 inch dish or leave it in the large mixing bowl.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or until set.
Let’s Serve Cranberry Jello Salad
Cranberry Jello Salad is best served by using a large spoon to scoop it into individual dessert bowls. Try topping it with whipped cream for a little extra something delicious!
Cranberry Jello Salad is a Thanksgiving Recipe that is festive, and works great as a holiday side dish or a dessert (much like this Watergate salad or this Easy Cherry Fluff!).
If you make this recipe for your Thanksgiving celebration this year, please leave a comment or tag me on social media. I love to hear from you. Enjoy!
Cranberry Jello Salad for Thanksgiving
Ingredients
Jello Layer
- 2 3 ounce packages Raspberry Jello (you need 6 ounces of Jello in total)
- 1 cup boiling water
- 3 ounces juice drained from crushed pineapple
- 5 ounces ice cold water (combine juice from crushed pineapple with enough ice cold water to yield 1 cup of liquid)
Creamy Layer
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 cup sour cream
Add-Ins
- 15 ounces mandarin oranges (drained)
- 20 ounces crushed pineapple (juice drained and used previously in the Jello layer)
- 15 ounces whole cranberry sauce
Optional Add-Ins
- zest from 1 orange
- ¼ cup crushed nuts (walnuts or pecans)
Instructions
Make the Jello Base
- Dissolve Jello powder with 1 cup boiling water in a large bowl. Stir to combine and continue stirring until dissolved.
- Drain the juice from the crushed pineapple and add it to a 1-cup liquid measuring cup. Fill the remainder of the cup with ice cold water. The juice and ice cold water will total 1 cup of liquid.
- Whisk to combine, then cover and refrigerate for about 20 minutes.
Make the Creamy Layer
- In a separate medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream and powdered sugar and mix with a hand or stand mixer until smooth and creamy.
Combine the Jello with the Creamy Layer
- Remove the Jello from the refrigerator and fold in the cream cheese layer.
- Stir in crushed pineapple, mandarin oranges and whole cranberry sauce.
- Add-in optional ingredients: orange zest and chopped nuts.
Chill
- Pour the Cranberry Jello Salad into a 9×13 inch glass dish, or leave it in the large bowl.
- Cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or until set.
- To serve: use a spoon to scoop Jello cranberry salad into small serving bowls. Serve with Thanksgiving dinner as a refreshing side, or top with whipped cream for a light and satisfying dessert.
Frequently Asked Questions for Cranberry Jello Salad for Thanksgiving
Jello salad needs to be made at least 6 hours ahead of time so that it has time to set in the refrigerator. It can also be made 1-2 days in advance of Thanksgiving dinner to save time on Thanksgiving day.
This recipe calls for crushed pineapple, mandarin oranges and whole cranberry sauce.
Yes, sugar free Jello is a great option for a lower sugar variation of this recipe.
This Cranberry Jello salad can be served as a side dish or a dessert. Serve it in small bowls and top with whipped cream for a light and refreshing dessert or side dish that pairs well with turkey.
