Holiday Black Cherry Salad
A delightful holiday salad featuring black cherries, pecans, and a fruity jello base, perfect for festive gatherings and offering a sweet, nutty flavor combination.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Drain cherries and halve them.
- Save the cherry juice.
- Dissolve orange jello in hot water.
- Add grape juice, Coca-Cola, and 1/4 cup cherry juice to the dissolved jello. Cool the mixture.
- When the jello begins to set, stir in chopped pecans and halved cherries.
- Pour the mixture into an 8 x 8-inch dish or salad mold.
- Chill until fully set.
- Serve on lettuce leaves if desired.
Tips & Substitutions
To enhance the flavor of your Holiday Black Cherry Salad, consider using fresh cherries if in season; just ensure to pit and halve them. If you're looking for a healthier alternative, you can substitute the Coca-Cola with a diet version or even sparkling water for a lighter touch. Additionally, walnuts can be used instead of pecans for a different nutty flavor.
Serving Suggestions
This festive salad is best served chilled on a bed of lettuce leaves for a beautiful presentation. It pairs wonderfully with savory dishes like Holiday Mini-Meatballs And Wieners or a light Luncheon Tuna Salad. For a complete meal, consider serving alongside roasted poultry or a hearty grain dish.
Storage & Reheating
Leftovers of the Holiday Black Cherry Salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. It's best enjoyed cold, so there's no need to reheat. Just give it a gentle stir before serving if the ingredients have settled.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Holiday Black Cherry Salad contains roughly 129 calories, with 2g protein, 8g carbohydrates, and 11g fat.
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this salad ahead of time?
Yes, the Holiday Black Cherry Salad can be prepared a day in advance. Just be sure to store it in the refrigerator until you're ready to serve to allow the flavors to meld and the salad to set properly.
What can I use instead of orange jello?
If you're looking for a different flavor, you can substitute orange jello with pineapple or peach jello. Both will add a fruity sweetness that complements the cherries well, though the color and taste will vary slightly.
Is this salad suitable for vegan diets?
Unfortunately, traditional jello is not vegan as it contains gelatin. However, you can easily adapt this recipe by using a plant-based gelatin alternative or a vegan jello product, ensuring it aligns with vegan recipes.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).