Festive cranberry Jello salad is a sweet-tart dessert that takes minutes to make!
Cranberry sauce, mandarin oranges, and crunchy pecans are mixed with raspberry Jell-O and topped with whipped cream.
Best of all, it’s a make-ahead dream during the busy holiday season!
Delish Holiday Salad!
- Cranberry salad with Jell-O is a fun and colorful addition to any celebration! So easy, that even the kids can help whip up this no-bake dessert!
- Begin the holiday feast with a simple cheese ball and cranberry meatballs for snacking, then serve this festive cranberry salad along with Thanksgiving turkey and all the fixings!
- This five-ingredient cranberry Jell-O recipe is a great recipe for making and taking to a party or potluck, and no cooking is required!
Just 5 Ingredients!
Cranberries – Canned cranberry sauce is available year-round and makes this dish come together super-fast! Add a handful of fresh cranberries for extra pops of citrusy sour flavor, if desired.
Jello – Raspberry, cherry, or any berry-flavored gelatin will work.
How to Make Cranberry Jell-O Salad
This easy peasy dessert is a cinch to make!
- Toast nuts and allow to cool completely.
- Prepare Jell-O as directed on the package. Set aside.
- Mix cranberry sauce, ½ cup pecans, and mandarin oranges until combined. Pour into a casserole dish and refrigerate until set.
- Spread Cool Whip over the top of the set salad and garnish with remaining pecans.
Tips for Success!
- Make up to a day ahead and keep chilled until ready to serve.
- Toasting nuts in a dry saute pan intensifies their flavor and keeps them extra crunchy in the salad!
- Save the juice from the mandarin oranges and freeze in ice cubes to pop into cold drinks or cocktails!
Storing Cranberry Jell-O Salad
Keep leftover cranberry Jell-O salad covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Jell-O does not freeze or thaw well, but this recipe is so easy to make, why not just start fresh?
Other Easy Sides!
Have you tried this Cranberry Jello Salad recipe? Leave a comment and rating below!
Cranberry Jello Salad
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 6 ounces package raspberry or cherry Jell-o gelatin powder
- 1 cup boiling hot water
- 1 cup cold water
- 1 14 ounces can whole berry cranberry sauce
- ¾ cup chopped pecans divided
- 1 11 ounces can mandarin oranges well drained
- 1 8 ounces cool whip topping ½ container, thawed
Instructions
- In a small pan, toast pecans over medium heat until golden and fragrant, stirring often. Cool completely.
- In a large measuring cup mix Jell-o with boiling water, whisking until jello is dissolved. Stir in cold water.
- Break apart cranberry sauce in a large mixing bowl. Add in ½ cup pecans and drained mandarin oranges, gently stirring until combined.
- Mix in the Jell-o and pour into an 8×8 casserole dish. Refrigerate 5 hours or until set.
- Spread whipped topping evenly over chilled Jell-o and store in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, top with remaining chopped pecans.
Notes
- For a larger crowd, double the recipe and make in a 9×13 inch pan
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
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Did you mean 3 oz pack of jello?
Oh my goodness! Thank you so much for catching that Rita. We definitely meant a 3 oz pack of jello!