Cranberry Jello Salad

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Cranberry Jello Salad is a classic holiday dish that’s both visually appealing and delicious. Its bright red color and sweet-tart flavor make it a perfect addition to any holiday table.

A delicious dish of cranberry jello salad.

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Why this Cranberry Salad Recipe is a Keeper

Cranberry Raspberry Jello Salad is family favorite featuring easy prep and simple ingredients. This colorful dish is perfect for busy days and kid-friendly gatherings. A beautiful addition to your holiday table.

Easy Prep: This recipe’s simplicity means you can whip it up in no time.
Easy Ingredients: With just 8 straightforward ingredients, you’ll have this salad ready in a flash. The salad is an easy side, especially when you used canned cranberry sauce.
Family Friendly: Kids love the vibrant colors and sweet-tart flavors, making the cran raspberry dish a hit with the whole family! A Thanksgiving dinner classic!

Can I Use Sugar Free Jello for this Raspberry Cranberry Jello Salad Recipe?

A top view of the finished fruity dessert.

Certainly! You can use sugar-free Jello for this cranberry jello salad recipe without sacrificing flavor. It’s a great option for those looking to reduce their sugar intake, and it won’t compromise the taste or texture of the salad.

Ingredient Notes to Make Cranberry Jello Salad

Frozen berries and chopped apples for the jello.

I love to serve this dessert salad at Christmas dinner topped with a little cool whip.

Raspberry Jell-o: This vibrant Jello brings a burst of fruity flavor to the thanksgiving side dish.
Frozen Berries: The frozen winter berry blend adds a mix of cranberries, pomegranates, blackberries, and raspberries, providing a burst of fruity goodness.
Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce: Use fresh whole cranberries contributes a delightful tartness and texture to the salad, enhancing its overall appeal. It is better than the jellied cranberry sauce. I use the Ocean Spray Cranberry for this recipe.
Apples: Apples are a crisp, refreshing addition, providing a lovely contrast to the other ingredients for this cranberry jello salad recipe.

See the recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements.

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Prep Ahead Suggestions for this Thanksgiving Recipe

You can make this cranberry jell-o salad days in advance and be ahead for your Christmas or Thanksgiving dinner.

Making this salad ahead of time allows the flavors to meld and intensify, making it a perfect choice for parties and gatherings. Cover with plastic wrap and store salad in the refrigerator.

Special Equipment Needed to Make this Recipe

Jello Mold: You can make this homemade cranberry sauce salad in a pretty mold for a festive celebration.

Pro Tip for Jell-O Salad

To achieve the best texture and prevent your Jello salad from becoming too soft or too firm, pay close attention to temperature control:
Boiling Water: Ensure the boiling water is truly boiling. This ensures the Jello powder dissolves completely, preventing grainy textures.
Cold Water: Use ice-cold water to quickly cool the Jello mixture. This helps set the Jello more rapidly and prevents it from becoming too soft.
Chill Time: Refrigerate the Jello salad for the recommended time. Over-chilling can make it too firm, while under-chilling can result in a runny texture.

How to Make the Best Cranberry Jello Salad

This Cranberry Raspberry Jello Salad is a showstopper on any table. With its vibrant red hue and refreshing texture, it brings a burst of summer flavors even in the coldest months. Whether you’re looking for a crowd-pleasing dessert or a unique side dish to elevate your holiday spread, get ready to dive into this irresistible gelatin creation.

These are the basic steps for making Raspberry Cranberry Salad. Refer to the full, printable recipe card below for detailed instructions.

1. Dissolve Gelatin in Boiling Water

Begin by dissolving the jello powder in boiling water in a large bowl. Whisk to combine.

2. Add Remaining Ingredients, Stir to Combine

Stir in the frozen berries, fresh cranberries sauce, pear halves, mandarin oranges, sliced bananas, and chopped Granny Smith apples. Ensure you break up the canned cranberry sauce for even distribution..

3. Refrigerate the Cranberry Orange Salad Until Set

Cover the salad and refrigerate for 3-4 hours before serving, allowing all the flavors to meld and the Jello to set. Serve the holiday side dish onto a serving platter and decorate with fresh berries to look so pretty for a holiday meal.

How to Store and Use Leftover Cranberry Jello Salad with Oranges

This recipe is perfect as a side dish or dessert. Great to serve with your Thanksgiving turkey.

Storing: Store the amazing cranberry jello salad by wrapping in plastic wrap or storing in an airtight container.
Freezing: Yes, you can freeze a fruit salad with jello! However, the texture might change slightly after freezing and thawing. The Jello may become a bit softer and less firm, and the fruit might release some of its juices.
Using Leftovers: Fruity Smoothie: Combine the salad with milk, yogurt, or juice in a blender. Customize with additional fruits, sweeteners, or protein powder.

Variations and Substitutions for Raspberry Cranberry Jello Salad

Creamy: Feel free to add a layer of cream cheese or sour cream to your salad for a creamy twist. Top the cranberry relish with orange zest for a beautiful flavor. Make homemade whipped cream topping.
Nuts: If you love a bit of crunch of the nuts, consider adding your favorite nuts to the mix for some extra texture. Chopped walnuts or pecans are great in the sweet jello.
Raspberry Jello Salad: Different flavors of jell-o are great for this dessert, try strawberry jello or any other flavor such as pineapple.
Juice: Replace some of the water with orange juice in this side dish recipe.

Cranberry Salad with Raspberry Jello Recipe FAQs

What can I Serve with this Jello Salad Recipe?
Looking for a recipe for thanksgiving or christmas, look at these family friendly recipes.

Slow Roasted Turkey Breast
Maple Sweet Potatoes
Old Fashioned Sage and Onion Stuffing

Can I used Crushed Pineapple in this Salad?

Absolutely! You can customize this salad with your favorite fruits to suit your taste. Get creative with your choices and make it your own. Crushed pineapple is always a popular choice for the jello mixture.

Can I Make other Variations of this Jello Salad?

Of course, you can make a pineapple jello salad, you can make a cherry jello salad or a refreshing orange salad.

Expert Tips to Love This Recipe

Ready to take your easy cranberry jello salad to the next level? We’ve got you covered with some expert tips that will help you create a sensational dish. These tips will elevate your culinary experience and impress your guests.

Jello Mold: For a stunning presentation, chill your salad in a fun jello mold. Spray the ring mold with cooking spray then stir in the cranberry raspberry jello salad recipe. Whether it is bowl or jello mold you will have a best tasting jello salad.
Display: Serve the salad in dessert glasses or a decorative bowl for an elegant touch.
Topping: Don’t forget to top your salad with a dollop of whipped cream or cream cheese topping for that perfect finishing touch. Present on a festive platter.
Nuts: Add walnuts or chopped pecans to this festive raspberry gelatin dessert.

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