Name: Cranberry Jello Salad Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 2 h 10 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 boxes raspberry jello 6 ounces total; 1½ cups boiling water; 1 can crushed pineapple 20 ounces (including juice); 1 can whole berry cranberry sauce 15 ounces; 1 Honeycrisp apple peeled and chopped; ½ cup pecans chopped; ¾ cup cranberry juice

Bright, sweet, and bursting with texture, this Cranberry Jello Salad Recipe is one of those nostalgic dishes that can charm any holiday table or potluck spread. It’s delightfully simple but brings a pop of color and flavor that instantly lifts the mood.

A close-up view of a shiny, bright red chunky sauce in a white bowl, filled with soft, thick bits and small pieces of fruit or vegetables spread evenly throughout. A silver spoon holds a scoop of this sauce above the bowl, showing its juicy texture with visible chunks and slightly glossy surface. The background surface has a white marbled texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Cranberry Jello Salad Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Cranberry Jello Salad Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Cranberry Jello Salad Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I remember the first time I made this salad—it reminded me of the classic dishes my grandmother served during holidays. There's something so satisfying about the way the tangy cranberry and sweet pineapple mingle together in this Cranberry Jello Salad Recipe. It’s fresh, colorful, and the textures just sing!

Effortless Prep: You only need a handful of ingredients and about 10 minutes to get everything ready before the fridge does the rest of the work.
Perfect Balance of Flavors: The combo of tart cranberry, sweet pineapple, and crisp apples keeps every bite interesting and refreshing.
Great Make-Ahead Dish: This salad actually tastes better after chilling—it’s ideal for prepping a day before your gathering.
Versatile and Nostalgic: Whether for a classic family meal or a festive party, it brings that comforting jello salad vibe everyone loves.

Ingredients & Why They Work

This Cranberry Jello Salad Recipe uses ingredients that each add a distinct texture and flavor note. The ruby red jello base wakes up your taste buds, while the pineapple juice and cranberry sauce marry tartness with sweetness. Adding crisp apple and crunchy pecans brings in a playful contrast that makes it so satisfying.

Flat lay of two small white ceramic bowls, one filled with bright red raspberry jello powder, the other with steaming clear boiling water; a white bowl holding glossy crushed pineapple chunks with juice; a white bowl containing whole dark red cranberry sauce with visible berries; a small white bowl of deep red cranberry juice; a simple white plate with peeled and chopped crisp Honeycrisp apple pieces; and a small white bowl with roughly chopped light brown pecans, all arranged symmetrically and balanced, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Raspberry Jello: Using raspberry gives a beautiful color and fruity flavor that complements the tart cranberry.
Boiling Water: Essential to fully dissolve the Jello powder so your salad sets up perfectly.
Crushed Pineapple: Adds sweetness and moisture—plus, always use canned! Fresh pineapple can stop the gelatin from setting because of enzymes.
Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce: Provides great texture with those little bursts of cranberry goodness.
Honeycrisp Apple: Adds a crisp bite and mild sweetness. I recommend peeling for the best texture.
Pecans: For crunch and a nutty depth that lifts the overall salad.
Cranberry Juice: Intensifies the cranberry flavor while thinning out the salad to the right consistency.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

This salad is a fantastic base for personalization—once I got the hang of the classic version, I started tweaking it to fit different occasions or diets. Don’t hesitate to play around with the fruit or nut combo to match what you love!

Variation: My favorite twist is swapping out pecans for chopped walnuts or almonds depending on what I have on hand. Each nut gives a slightly different crunch and flavor.
Dietary tip: For a lower sugar option, try a sugar-free Jello brand and reduce the added cranberry juice slightly.
Seasonal swap: In fall, add a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg to warm up that jello salad vibe a bit.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Cranberry Jello Salad Recipe

A white plate with a textured rim holds a single serving of deep red cranberry sauce mixed with small chunks of light orange fruit, giving it a thick, chunky texture. On top, there is a swirl of smooth white cream, garnished with two green mint leaves on the left side. A shiny metal spoon rests on the right edge of the plate. In the background, there is a white bowl full of whole red cranberries and a wooden cutting board on a white marbled surface, with a blue and white cloth napkin partially visible at the bottom. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Dissolve the Jello (Easy and Foolproof!)

Start by whisking the two boxes of raspberry jello powder into 1½ cups of boiling water. Make sure you whisk until every granule is completely dissolved—no gritty bits. I usually stir for a minute or two and check by dipping my spoon for any clumps. This ensures a smooth foundation for your salad.

Step 2: Add the Fruit and Mix-ins

Next, dump in the entire can of crushed pineapple, including all its juice—that extra moisture helps your salad set but stay juicy. Then, stir in the whole berry cranberry sauce. If you notice big chunks of cranberry, just break them up a little with your spoon, but don’t mash it completely; those little bursts of fruit make the salad delightful.

Step 3: Toss in Apples and Pecans

Fold in the peeled, chopped Honeycrisp apple and half a cup of chopped pecans. These add fresh, crunchy textures that contrast perfectly with the jelly-like base. Finally, stir in the cranberry juice to loosen the mixture slightly and intensify that cranberry zing.

Step 4: Chill and Set

Pour everything into a 9×13-inch dish and pop it into the fridge. Let it chill for at least 2 hours (don’t skip this!). The salad needs this time to firm up and for all the flavors to meld together beautifully. I usually prepare it in the morning for an evening meal or party.

Top Tip

From personal experience, the key to the perfect Cranberry Jello Salad Recipe isn’t just in the ingredients—it’s in the little details and timing that help it come together flawlessly.

Fully Dissolve the Jello: I learned the hard way that any undissolved jello powder leaves a gritty desert texture – so whisk thoroughly in boiling water until smooth.
Use Only Canned Pineapple: Fresh pineapple’s enzymes will keep your gelatin from setting—it’s a frustrating mistake I made once, so trust me on this one.
Chill Long Enough: Even though it’s tempting, don’t serve before 2 hours—give it that time so it’s set firm enough to slice or scoop neatly.
Chop Fruit and Nuts Small: Smaller pieces mean every forkful is balanced—no hard-to-chew big chunks stealing the spotlight.

How to Serve Cranberry Jello Salad Recipe

cranberry jello salad - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love topping this salad with a generous dollop of freshly whipped cream just before serving—it adds a lush, creamy counterpoint to the tangy jello. A sprinkle of extra chopped pecans or even a few fresh cranberries on top makes it look festive and inviting.

Side Dishes

This salad pairs beautifully with traditional holiday mains like roasted turkey or ham. It also works perfectly as a sweet side to a midweek meal of grilled chicken or pork chops, especially alongside roasted vegetables or a crisp green salad.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve served this salad in individual clear glasses to show off the vibrant colors—people always appreciate that personal touch. You could also make mini molds using silicone cups or layer it with whipped cream for a pretty parfait-style dessert.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftovers keep well covered in the fridge for up to 3 days. I usually transfer mine to an airtight container to keep it fresh and prevent it from absorbing other fridge odors. Just give it a gentle stir before serving again.

Freezing

Freezing isn’t ideal for this salad since the texture of jello can get grainy when thawed. I recommend enjoying it fresh or refrigerated rather than frozen.

Reheating

Since this is a chilled salad, reheating isn’t really needed. Just serve it cold straight from the fridge. If it gets a little firm, you can let it sit at room temperature for 10 minutes to soften slightly before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use a different flavor of jello for this salad?

Absolutely! While raspberry pairs wonderfully with cranberry, you can experiment with cherry or strawberry jello to tweak the flavor profile. Just keep in mind the balance of tartness with sweetness.

Why shouldn’t I use fresh pineapple in this recipe?

Fresh pineapple contains enzymes that break down gelatin proteins, preventing the jello from setting properly. That's why canned pineapple is recommended here—it keeps the salad firm and delicious.

How far ahead can I make this salad?

You can prepare this salad up to 24 hours in advance. The flavors only get better as they meld. Just make sure to cover it well and keep it refrigerated.

Can I make this salad nut-free?

Yes! Simply leave out the pecans or substitute them with something nut-free like toasted coconut flakes or sunflower seeds for added crunch.

Final Thoughts

This Cranberry Jello Salad Recipe has been one of those comforting staples that brings a smile every holiday season (and honestly anytime I need a little pop of joy in my meal). I hope you enjoy making it as much as I do—it’s straightforward, colorful, and just the right blend of sweet, tangy, and crunchy. Give it a try, and you might just find a new tradition in the making!