Judy And Sue'S Cranberry Jello Salad
A vibrant and tangy cranberry jello salad with fresh fruits and nuts, perfect for holiday gatherings and festive occasions. Refreshing, sweet, and with a crunchy texture.
Ingredients
- 4 small packages raspberry jello (black raspberry if possible) ⓘ
- 2 cups boiling water ⓘ
- 1/2 cup cold water ⓘ
- 2 cups fresh cranberries, ground ⓘ
- 2 oranges, unpeeled, seeds removed, ground
- 2 apples, cored, seeds removed, ground ⓘ
- 1 (20 oz.) can crushed pineapple with juice ⓘ
- 2 cups sugar ⓘ
- 1 cup chopped pecans ⓘ
Instructions
- Ground the cranberries, oranges, and apples in a food processor or equivalent.
- In a large bowl, dissolve the raspberry jello in 2 cups of boiling water.
- Add the cold water and stir well.
- Mix in the ground cranberries, oranges, and apples.
- Stir in the crushed pineapple with juice and sugar until well combined.
- Pour the mixture into a mold or dish and refrigerate until set, about 4 hours or overnight.
- Before serving, top with chopped pecans.
Tips & Substitutions
For a vibrant flavor, consider using black raspberry jello if available. You can substitute the fresh cranberries with frozen ones if fresh are not in season, just ensure they are thawed and drained. Adjust the sugar to taste, especially if you prefer a less sweet salad. For added texture, try using walnuts instead of pecans.
Serving Suggestions
This jello salad is best served chilled and can be enjoyed as a refreshing side dish or dessert. It pairs beautifully with Hot Spiced Fruit Cider for a festive occasion. Consider serving it alongside a savory dish like roast turkey or ham to balance the sweetness.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The jello salad can be served cold directly from the fridge. If it becomes too firm, let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes before serving to soften slightly.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Judy And Sue'S Cranberry Jello Salad contains roughly 516 calories, with 6g protein, 65g carbohydrates, and 30g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (44% of the Daily Value) and dietary fiber (31% of the Daily Value), and a good source of protein and iron. It also contributes 9g of dietary fiber toward your daily target.
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 jello salad ahead of time?
Yes, this jello salad can be prepared a day in advance. Just be sure to cover it tightly and refrigerate. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully and makes it a convenient option for holiday gatherings.
What can I use instead of fresh cranberries?
You can use frozen cranberries as a substitute, but make sure to thaw and drain them before use. This will still provide the tartness needed for the recipe, keeping the salad flavorful.
Is this recipe suitable for vegans?
This recipe is not vegan due to the gelatin in the jello. However, you can use vegan jello alternatives to make it suitable for a vegan diet. Just ensure that all other ingredients are also vegan-friendly.
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).