My Cherry Jello Fruit Salad is a jiggly dessert to finish off a big holiday meal. It’s light and full of fruit, making this great recipe a wonderful addition to a Thanksgiving table.
Everyone loves a light refreshing dessert. If you want more, try my cherry fluff salad recipe or my cranberry jello salad with oranges.
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Why this Cherry Jello Salad Recipe is a Keeper
I love this easy side dish recipe because it’s quick, easy and delicious. It’s the perfect fruit cocktail dessert salad.
- Easy to Make: It typically involves simple ingredients and straightforward preparation.
- Crowd-Pleasing: It’s a sweet and refreshing side dish or dessert that’s enjoyed by many.
- Versatile: It can be customized with various fruits, nuts, and toppings.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: It can be prepared in advance, making it convenient for parties and events.
- Visually Appealing: The vibrant red color and layered textures create an attractive presentation.
- Classic Comfort: It evokes feelings of nostalgia and comfort, often associated with family gatherings and holidays.
How Do I Prevent the Fruit from Sinking to the Bottom?
The best way to prevent the fruit from sinking to the bottom is to add the fruit when the jello is partially set. When the jello has thicken up some, it can hold the weight from the fruit.
Pro Tip for Jello Fruit Salad
Chill Ingredients: Chilling the ingredients before mixing helps the gelatin set faster.
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Ingredient Notes and Variation Suggestions for Cherry Pineapple Jello
To make this recipe, there are just a few easy ingredients that are needed. They can all be found in the kitchen or at the store. Feel free to get creative in the kitchen by trying different flavor combinations.
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Jello: Easy cherry jello salad isn’t complete without the cherry jello. You will need one box.
- Gelatin Flavors: Instead of cherry flavor, experiment with different gelatin flavors like raspberry jello, strawberry jello, orange jello or black cherry.
- Fruit: This recipe is made with all different kinds of berries, bananas, cherries and more.
- Different Fruit: Try adding in drained crushed pineapple or other canned pineapple, chopped maraschino cherries or drained canned cherries.
- Adding Vegetables: Some people add shredded carrots, or celery to their jello salad.
- Juice Variations: Use different fruit juices like cranberry or pineapple juice.
- Nut Variations: Use chopped pecans, walnuts, or almonds.
- Dairy-Free: Use non-dairy whipped cream or coconut cream.
- Adding Cream Cheese: Many recipes include a layer of cream cheese.
- Adding Marshmallows: Mini marshmallows are a very common ingredient.
How to Make Black Cherries and Pineapple Salad
This Christmas jello salad recipe comes together in just 3 quick and easy steps. This sweet side dish is so good, I make it for every holiday and potluck.
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Make Jello: Dissolve Jello in 2 cups of boiling water in a large bowl. Stir to combine.
- Add Fruit: Stir in the strawberries and mixed berries. Stir in cherry pie filling, pineapple chunks, pear chunks, mandarin oranges, granny Smith apples and sliced bananas.
- Chill: Cover and transfer to the fridge for a few hours before serving.
Prep Ahead Suggestions for Fruit Jell-o Salad
Prepping ahead of time can really help to save time and kitchen space if hosting a get together.
- Prepare Gelatin: Make the gelatin mixture ahead of time and refrigerate it until partially set.
- Chop Ingredients: Chop fruits, nuts, or other additions to fruit jello salad in advance.
- Prepare Toppings: If using whipped topping or other garnishes, prepare them ahead of time.
- Layering: If making a layered salad, prepare each layer separately and refrigerate until ready to assemble.
How to Store and Use Leftovers
- Storing: Store jello leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Using Leftovers: Enjoy Easter jello salad again as Layered Dessert: Layer the Jell-O fruit salad with whipped cream, yogurt, or even a light custard in parfait glasses or a trifle bowl for a more elegant dessert. Smoothie Booster: Add a scoop or two to your morning smoothie for a touch of sweetness and fruity flavor. The gelatin can also add a bit of thickness.
Common Questions About This Jello Recipe
In the refrigerator, it can take at least 3 hours for the jello to set.
Yes, be sure to not add too much liquid into the sweet salad.
To make the recipe less sweet, don’t add the pie filling. Instead add chopped cherries.
I would mot recommend freezing the salad because freezing jello can drastically change the texture.
Expert Tips to Make Jello Fruit Salad Recipe
- Layering Technique: When layering, allow each layer to partially set before adding the next.
- Garnish: Garnish with fresh fruit, cool whip for a creamy topping, or nuts for an elegant presentation.
- Don’t Overheat Gelatin: Overheating the gelatin, can prevent it from setting correctly.
- Use Correct Ratio of Liquid to Gelatin: This will help the jello set correctly.
- Use Quality Gelatin: High-quality gelatin will yield the best texture.
- Pudding: Try making this dessert with instant vanilla pudding instead of jello.
- Serve With: Serve the best cherry jell-o salad with Vintage Lime Cottage Cheese Jello Salad, Orange Marshmallow Fruit Salad or Strawberry Fluff Jello Salad.
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Cherry Jello Fruit Salad
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Ingredients
- 6 ounces Cherry Jello, 1 box
- 2 cups Water, boiling
- 10 ounces Sliced strawberries, 1 package of frozen
- 10 ounces Mixed berries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, 1 package of frozen
- 21 ounces Cherry pie filling, 1 can
- 20 ounces Pineapple chunks, drained, 1 can
- 15 ounces Pear halves, drained and cut into chunks
- 15 ounces Mandarin oranges, drained
- 2 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and chopped
- 3 Bananas, sliced
Instructions
- In a large bowl, dissolve Jello in boiling water.
- Stir in the strawberries and mixed berries.
- Stir in the remaining ingredients.
- Cover and refrigerate for 3-4 hours before serving.
Christina’s Notes
- Layering Technique: When layering, allow each layer to partially set before adding the next.
- Garnish: Garnish with fresh fruit, cool whip for a creamy topping, or nuts for an elegant presentation.
- Don’t Overheat Gelatin: Overheating the gelatin, can prevent it from setting correctly.
- Use Correct Ratio of Liquid to Gelatin: This will help the jello set correctly.
- Use Quality Gelatin: High-quality gelatin will yield the best texture.
- Pudding: Try making this dessert with instant vanilla pudding instead of jello.
- Serve With: Serve the best cherry jell-o salad with Vintage Lime Cottage Cheese Jello Salad, Orange Marshmallow Fruit Salad or Strawberry Fluff Jello Salad.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, scroll up on the page.
Y’all…this is THE Thanksgiving recipe your family needs! We have been making this for years, a recipe passed down from my pastor’s wife and potluck and brunch favorite! I could no longer find it at taste of home website so I’m thankful to have found this post! (the main changes I make are skip the bananas and use 1box orange & 1box cherry jello). Perfection!
Mmm this is so refreshing and tasty, thanks so much!
My kiddos love this jello salad because the color + fruit looks super cool to them. Major win!
We added extra cherries on top and they’re so delicious! My family’s new favorite dessert! Highly recommended!
Tasty and so fun! My niece loved this. Thank you!
This is a great recipe. I tried it at home and my family loves it. Thank you, Christina for this recipe. We enjoyed it so much.
Do you Add 2 cups of cold water too?
Do you put 2 Cups of Cold water too?
I’m about to make this. It Says 2 Cups Boiling Water to Dissolve. Do you also Add 2 Cups of Cold Water too?
No do not add any cold water. Just follow the recipe card, you will love it.
This is such a fun recipe!
Everyone loved it! Easy to make and delicious!
I tried this recipe following the recipe exactly as given and it did not set – even overnight. I tied again the next day and it did not set. I don’t think I will try again even though it looks absolutely delicious.
I have made this recipe so many times and have never had a problem. I’d love to be able to help you troubleshoot – something has to be off. Are you sure you’re using the correct amounts of each ingredient and draining all of the canned fruits?
You only add 2 cups of boiling water. The frozen fruit will contribute the remaining liquid, otherwise it will never set up.