Royal Cranberry Salad
A vibrant cranberry salad with citrus, pineapple, and nuts, sweetened with gelatin and jello for a refreshing treat perfect for festive gatherings and family dinners.
Ingredients
Instructions
- On the day before serving, grind cranberries and oranges; mix with sugar.
- Let the mixture set overnight.
- Dissolve gelatin in cold water.
- Mix jello with the dissolved gelatin.
- Add drained pineapple and chopped nuts to the mixture.
- Chill thoroughly before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
For a more vibrant flavor, consider adding a tablespoon of lemon juice to the cranberry and orange mixture. If you want a vegetarian option, use agar-agar instead of gelatin. To save time, you can use pre-packaged cranberry sauce and orange juice. Make sure to chop the nuts finely for better texture in the salad.
Serving Suggestions
This Royal Cranberry Salad makes a delightful side dish for holiday meals or family gatherings. It pairs beautifully with roast turkey or ham. Consider serving it alongside other festive dishes like Mock Fig Pickles or Catfish Stew And Rice. Garnish with additional chopped nuts or fresh mint leaves for an attractive presentation.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors will continue to meld as it sits. Avoid freezing as the texture may change when thawed. Serve cold for the best taste, and give it a gentle stir before serving to refresh the mixture.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Royal Cranberry Salad contains roughly 345 calories, with 5g protein, 68g carbohydrates, and 9g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (35% of the Daily Value), and a good source of dietary fiber. It also contributes 4g 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 salad ahead of time?
Absolutely! In fact, this salad tastes best when made a day in advance, allowing the flavors to develop. Just follow the recipe instructions and store it in the refrigerator until you're ready to serve.
What can I use instead of gelatin?
You can substitute the gelatin with agar-agar for a vegetarian option. Use a 1:1 ratio, but be sure to dissolve it in boiling water before adding it to the mixture, as agar-agar has different gelling properties.
How can I make this salad less sweet?
To reduce the sweetness, cut down on the sugar by half or use a sugar substitute like stevia or erythritol. Additionally, adding a bit more citrus juice can help balance the sweetness with acidity.
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).