Go Back

Cranberry Jell-O Salad

I made this easy cranberry Jell-O salad for Thanksgiving and it was the most popular dish we had! Cherry-flavored gelatin teams up with jellied cranberry sauce and crushed pineapple for a fruity flavor that can't be beat.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 3 hours 15 minutes
Course lunch/dinner
Cuisine American
Servings 12 people
Calories 1604.9 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Large Mixing Bowl
  • 1 Whisk or Large Spoon For dissolving gelatin and mixing ingredients.
  • 1 Can Opener For cranberry sauce and pineapple.
  • 1 Fine-Mesh Sieve or Colander Essential for thoroughly draining crushed pineapple.
  • 1 Large Glass Serving Dish or Individual Molds For chilling and presentation.

Ingredients
  

Main

  • 2 cups boiling water
  • 2 0.3-ounce packages sugar-free cherry-flavored gelatin mix (such as Jell-O)
  • 1 16-ounce can jellied cranberry sauce
  • 1 20-ounce can crushed pineapple, drained
  • ½ cup chopped pecans

Instructions
 

  • Gather all ingredients. ALLRECIPES / DIANA CHISTRUGA
  • Combine boiling water and gelatin mix in a bowl; stir until gelatin is dissolved. ALLRECIPES / DIANA CHISTRUGA
  • Stir in cranberry sauce and crushed pineapple. ALLRECIPES / DIANA CHISTRUGA
  • Transfer to a large glass serving dish or 12 individual dishes. Sprinkle pecans on top. ALLRECIPES / DIANA CHISTRUGA
  • Chill until set, 3 to 4 hours for individual dishes, or 4 hours to overnight for one large serving dish. ALLRECIPES / DIANA CHISTRUGA

Notes

1. Ensure the boiling water is genuinely at a rolling boil to guarantee complete dissolution of the gelatin crystals. Undissolved gelatin can lead to a grainy texture. 2. After dissolving, allow the gelatin mixture to cool slightly—about 10-15 minutes—before incorporating the cranberry sauce and pineapple. Adding them to a very hot liquid can cause ingredients to separate or settle unevenly, affecting the final set and appearance. 3. For enhanced flavor and crunch, lightly toast the pecans in a dry pan over medium heat for 3-5 minutes until fragrant, then cool before sprinkling. 4. To achieve a smoother, more uniform 'salad' texture, you can briefly blend or mash the jellied cranberry sauce before folding it into the gelatin. 5. This dish benefits significantly from an overnight chill to ensure it's perfectly set and firm, making for cleaner portions.