Name: The Best Jello Dessert Salad With Cranberries
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 8 h 15 min
Yield: 12
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 16 ounces raw whole cranberries; 1 cup celery; 1 cup chopped walnuts; 1 can of crushed pineapple ( 20 ounces in heavy syrup); Lemon Jello - 2 (3 ounce boxes) or 1 (6 ounce box); 2 cups sugar; 1 3/4 cups boiling water; 1 cup very cold water

Jump to Recipe

If you’re searching for a refreshing and delicious side dish to complement your next holiday meal, look no further than this easy recipe.

There is a small white plate with a dark red cranberry mixture on it. There is a spoonful of a white whipped cream on top of the mixture. There is a fork resting on the plate. In the background there is a corner of a glass dish with cranberry mixture in it. Items are on a white marbled surface.

It’s one of my favorite recipes for Thanksgiving dinner because it can be served as a salad, side dish, or dessert! It’s one of those easy recipes the whole family will love.

Prep time: 15 minutes
Setting time: 8 hours or overnight
Total time: 8 hours and 15 minutes
Preparation level: Beginner +

What You’ll Love

Taste – Both sweet and tart, this salad is packed with wonderful different flavors.
Texture – Chopped walnuts and celery add a unique crunchiness to the Cranberry Salad with Jell-O.
Simple ingredients – This dish is made with basic ingredients of Jello, cranberries, nuts, celery, sugar, and water.
Year-round dish – This cranberry salad is enjoyed during the holidays as a perfect side dish for a roasted turkey. It can also be spread on a sandwich, compliment a pork tenderloin, or a roasted chicken dinner.

There are a lot of new recipes that are perfect to make for your Thanksgiving menu however, this is one of those old fashioned jello salad recipes that has never gone out of style!

There is a large round white serving platter with a domed cranberry jello salad on it. There is a red and green plaid cloth napkin next to the platter. Items are on a white marble dsurface.

This vintage recipe has been a family tradition for the holiday season for as long as I can remember.

The index card that my Nana wrote it on is old, torn around the edges and doesn’t even have the instructions on it because we all just knew how to make it!

There is a large rectangular glass dish with a cranberry jello mixture in it. There are small pieces of lemon peel sprinkled on the top. The dish is on an angle laying on a white marbled surface.

Made with only seven simple ingredients, this classic jello salad is the perfect addition to your holiday table or Christmas dinner. It’s a festive dish that adds a pop of color to all your holiday meals!

There is a silver mesh strainer with whole raw cranberries in it. There is a white bowl with crushed pineapple in it. There are two smaller white bowls. One of the bowls has white sugar in it the other bowl has walnut pieces in it. There are two stalks of celery and two boxes of powdered lemon Jell-O. Items are on a white marbled surface.

Ingredient Notes

Raw whole cranberries – Frozen whole cranberries as well as canned cranberries are great options when you want to make cranberry recipes for special occasions that aren’t during autumn. Fresh Cranberries are in season mid-September though mid-November which makes them the popular choice to use for holiday dinners.
Walnuts – Pecans are a great option.
Canned crushed pineapple – Pineapple chunks or mandarin orange segments can be substituted.
Jello – Raspberry jello is very popular to use in a raspberry cranberry jello salad. Strawberry Jello and black cherry Jello are also popular flavors. I grew up with my Nana’s recipe which uses lemon Jello and I love the zesty flavor it gives to this delightful sweet side dish.
Garnishes – I like to garnish this with a combination of homemade Whipped Cream, fresh cranberries, lemon zest, orange zest, or mint leaves. It also tastes great with Cool Whip if you prefer that over whipped cream or a little bit of sour cream.

Step-by-Step Instructions

There is a rectangular wooden cutting board with a mound of chopped walnuts and a mound of chopped celery on it. Board is on a white marbled surface.

Chop walnuts and celery into small pieces. Set aside.

There is a silver food processor with buttons on it. On top of the food processor is a round clear dish with a white blade attachment in the center of it. There are whole raw cranberries in the dish. Food processor is on a white marbled surface.

Rinse and pick through the cranberries, removing any that are under ripe or blemished.
Add cranberries to a food processor and pulse. If you don’t have a food processor, a blender will work.

There is a large clear bowl with chopped raw cranberries in it. There is a wooden cutting board with a mound of chopped walnuts and a mound of chopped celery on it laying behind the bowl. There is a white bowl with crushed pineapple in it in the background. Items are on a

There is a large clear bowl with chopped raw cranberries, and crushed pineapple. There is a wooden cutting board with a mound of chopped walnuts and a mound of chopped celery on it laying behind the bowl. Items are on a white marbled surface.

Transfer chopped cranberries to a large mixing bowl. Stir in a can of crushed pineapple.

There is a large clear bowl with chopped raw cranberries, crushed pineapple, and chopped celery. There is a wooden cutting board with chopped walnuts laying behind the bowl. Items are on a white marbled surface.

There is a large clear bowl with chopped raw cranberries, crushed pineapple, chopped celery, and chopped walnuts. Bowl is on a white marbled surface.

Next add the celery and walnuts. Mix together.

There is a large clear measuring bowl with a yellow liquid in it.There is a wooden spoon resting in the bowl. There is a small clear glass measuring cup with water in it and a metal measuring cup with white sugar in it. Items are on a white marbled surface.

In a separate bowl, boil water in the microwave. Carefully add Jello powder to the hot water. Stir until the powder is dissolve. Add the sugar to the gelatin. Stir until the sugar is completely dissolved. Next stir in the cold water.

There is a large clear bowl with chopped raw cranberries, crushed pineapple, chopped celery, and chopped walnuts all mixed together. There is a large clear measuring bowl with a yellow liquid in it. Items are on a white marbled surface.

Large clear glass bowl with a mixture of chopped raw cranberries, crushed pineapple, chopped walnuts, chopped celery, sugar, and water. There is a wooden spoon resting in the bowl. Bowl is on a white marbled surface.

Slowly pour the gelatin mixture into the large bowl with the cranberry mixture. Blend throughly.

There is a 9 inch white round Jello mold with a cranberry jello mixture in it before hardening. The mold is on a white marbled surface.

There is a large rectangular glass dish with a cranberry jello mixture in it before hardening. Dish is on a white marbled surface.

Pour into dish or mold. Cover with a tight fitting lid or plastic wrap. Refrigerate until set, or overnight.

Complete recipe details can be found in the recipe card below.

There is a small white plate with a dark red cranberry mixture on it. There is a spoonful of a white whipped cream on top of the mixture. In the background there is a round white serving platter with cranberry mixture on it. Items are on a white marbled surface.

Laura Belle’s Tips

Make sure your cold water is VERY cold when adding it to the hot gelatin. This will help the Jello cranberry mixture to congeal faster and better.
Vintage Jello molds are often on the smaller side, like mine. The smaller mold usually hold about 4 to 5 cups.
If you are using a small mold for this recipe you will have extra Jello mixture. Place the extra in a smaller casserole dish.
This is great when you need two dishes, one for a dinner party, one for the family gathering when you have multiple holiday tables!

Storage

Cover the salad tightly with plastic wrap or store in an airtight container and refrigerate promptly. Jello-based dishes must stay chilled to maintain their texture. Best enjoyed within 5 days.

Serving Tips

When using a Jello mold, just before serving, jiggle the container a little.
Place a serving platter on top, upside down. Flip the platter and mold over, holding them tightly together.
Carefully pull up the mold off of the salad and right onto the serving plate.
When using a casserole dish – Cut or scooped out and placed on a serving dish.

Make Ahead

Cranberry Jell-O salad can be made 1-2 days in advance. It is super easy and doesn’t take up any oven time! Just before serving, top with whipped cream or Cool Whip.

Cranberry Relish vs Whole Cranberry Sauce

The difference between cranberry sauce and cranberry relish is that cranberry relish is made from raw fresh fruits mixed in a food processor or blender. It has more texture and tartness. Whole berry cranberry sauce is cooked and often much sweeter than relish.

There is a small white plate with a dark red cranberry mixture on it. There is a fork laying to the left of the plate. In the background there is a corner of a glass dish with cranberry mixture in it. Items are on a white marbled surface.

More Holiday Sweet Treats

Easy Pumpkin Pie Crunch Cake With Pecans And Toffee
How To Make The Best Cranberry Apple Sauce With Grand Marnier
Easy Coffee Crumb Cake Recipe without Sour Cream – Great for a family brunch!
Libby’s Classic Pumpkin Roll
Mini Pecan Raisin Tarts – A family favorite and super easy!
Cranberry Nut Bread with Orange Glaze
Chocolate Chip Pecan Pie

Yield: 12 to 14 servings