My Cherry Jello Fruit Salad is a jiggly dessert to finish off a big holiday meal. It’s light and full of fruit, making this great recipe a wonderful addition to a Thanksgiving table.
Everyone loves a light refreshing dessert. If you want more, try my cherry fluff salad recipe or my cranberry jello salad with oranges.
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Why this Cherry Jello Salad Recipe is a Keeper
I love this easy side dish recipe because it’s quick, easy and delicious. It’s the perfect fruit cocktail dessert salad.
- Easy to Make: It typically involves simple ingredients and straightforward preparation.
- Crowd-Pleasing: It’s a sweet and refreshing side dish or dessert that’s enjoyed by many.
- Versatile: It can be customized with various fruits, nuts, and toppings.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: It can be prepared in advance, making it convenient for parties and events.
- Visually Appealing: The vibrant red color and layered textures create an attractive presentation.
- Classic Comfort: It evokes feelings of nostalgia and comfort, often associated with family gatherings and holidays.
How Do I Prevent the Fruit from Sinking to the Bottom?
The best way to prevent the fruit from sinking to the bottom is to add the fruit when the jello is partially set. When the jello has thicken up some, it can hold the weight from the fruit.
Pro Tip for Jello Fruit Salad
Chill Ingredients: Chilling the ingredients before mixing helps the gelatin set faster.
Ingredient Notes and Variation Suggestions for Cherry Pineapple Jello
To make this recipe, there are just a few easy ingredients that are needed. They can all be found in the kitchen or at the store. Feel free to get creative in the kitchen by trying different flavor combinations.
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Jello: Easy cherry jello salad isn’t complete without the cherry jello. You will need one box.
- Gelatin Flavors: Instead of cherry flavor, experiment with different gelatin flavors like raspberry jello, strawberry jello, orange jello or black cherry.
- Fruit: This recipe is made with all different kinds of berries, bananas, cherries and more.
- Different Fruit: Try adding in drained crushed pineapple or other canned pineapple, chopped maraschino cherries or drained canned cherries.
- Adding Vegetables: Some people add shredded carrots, or celery to their jello salad.
- Juice Variations: Use different fruit juices like cranberry or pineapple juice.
- Nut Variations: Use chopped pecans, walnuts, or almonds.
- Dairy-Free: Use non-dairy whipped cream or coconut cream.
- Adding Cream Cheese: Many recipes include a layer of cream cheese.
- Adding Marshmallows: Mini marshmallows are a very common ingredient.
How to Make Black Cherries and Pineapple Salad
This Christmas jello salad recipe comes together in just 3 quick and easy steps. This sweet side dish is so good, I make it for every holiday and potluck.
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Make Jello: Dissolve Jello in 2 cups of boiling water in a large bowl. Stir to combine.
- Add Fruit: Stir in the strawberries and mixed berries. Stir in cherry pie filling, pineapple chunks, pear chunks, mandarin oranges, granny Smith apples and sliced bananas.
- Chill: Cover and transfer to the fridge for a few hours before serving.
Prep Ahead Suggestions for Fruit Jell-o Salad
Prepping ahead of time can really help to save time and kitchen space if hosting a get together.
- Prepare Gelatin: Make the gelatin mixture ahead of time and refrigerate it until partially set.
- Chop Ingredients: Chop fruits, nuts, or other additions to fruit jello salad in advance.
- Prepare Toppings: If using whipped topping or other garnishes, prepare them ahead of time.
- Layering: If making a layered salad, prepare each layer separately and refrigerate until ready to assemble.
How to Store and Use Leftovers
- Storing: Store jello leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Using Leftovers: Enjoy Easter jello salad again as Layered Dessert: Layer the Jell-O fruit salad with whipped cream, yogurt, or even a light custard in parfait glasses or a trifle bowl for a more elegant dessert. Smoothie Booster: Add a scoop or two to your morning smoothie for a touch of sweetness and fruity flavor. The gelatin can also add a bit of thickness.
Common Questions About This Jello Recipe
In the refrigerator, it can take at least 3 hours for the jello to set.
Yes, be sure to not add too much liquid into the sweet salad.
To make the recipe less sweet, don’t add the pie filling. Instead add chopped cherries.
I would mot recommend freezing the salad because freezing jello can drastically change the texture.
Expert Tips to Make Jello Fruit Salad Recipe
- Layering Technique: When layering, allow each layer to partially set before adding the next.
- Garnish: Garnish with fresh fruit, cool whip for a creamy topping, or nuts for an elegant presentation.
- Don’t Overheat Gelatin: Overheating the gelatin, can prevent it from setting correctly.
- Use Correct Ratio of Liquid to Gelatin: This will help the jello set correctly.
- Use Quality Gelatin: High-quality gelatin will yield the best texture.
- Pudding: Try making this dessert with instant vanilla pudding instead of jello.
- Serve With: Serve the best cherry jell-o salad with Vintage Lime Cottage Cheese Jello Salad, Orange Marshmallow Fruit Salad or Strawberry Fluff Jello Salad.
More Recipes You Might Like
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Cherry Jello Fruit Salad
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Ingredients
- 6 ounces Cherry Jello, 1 box
- 2 cups Water, boiling
- 10 ounces Sliced strawberries, 1 package of frozen
- 10 ounces Mixed berries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, 1 package of frozen
- 21 ounces Cherry pie filling, 1 can
- 20 ounces Pineapple chunks, drained, 1 can
- 15 ounces Pear halves, drained and cut into chunks
- 15 ounces Mandarin oranges, drained
- 2 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and chopped
- 3 Bananas, sliced
Instructions
- In a large bowl, dissolve Jello in boiling water.
- Stir in the strawberries and mixed berries.
- Stir in the remaining ingredients.
- Cover and refrigerate for 3-4 hours before serving.
Christina’s Notes
- Layering Technique: When layering, allow each layer to partially set before adding the next.
- Garnish: Garnish with fresh fruit, cool whip for a creamy topping, or nuts for an elegant presentation.
- Don’t Overheat Gelatin: Overheating the gelatin, can prevent it from setting correctly.
- Use Correct Ratio of Liquid to Gelatin: This will help the jello set correctly.
- Use Quality Gelatin: High-quality gelatin will yield the best texture.
- Pudding: Try making this dessert with instant vanilla pudding instead of jello.
- Serve With: Serve the best cherry jell-o salad with Vintage Lime Cottage Cheese Jello Salad, Orange Marshmallow Fruit Salad or Strawberry Fluff Jello Salad.
- Scale the recipe: Simply adjust the serving size in the recipe card and the ingredients will update automatically.
- Make your own All Purpose Seasoning: When a recipe calls for All Purpose Seasoning, you can use my homemade All Purpose Seasoning recipe or substitute salt and pepper to taste.
- Meat doneness: I always use a meat thermometer to test for doneness when cooking meat.
- Use unsalted butter: I use unsalted butter so I can control the salt level in the recipe.
- Preheat the oven: Unless otherwise noted, always preheat your oven before baking.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, check out the blog post.
Will it be a problem if i don’t use frozen fruit as my family is not fans of berries. I know you usually add cold water to jello so i did not know if frozen fruit was a substitute.
I’ve never tried it that way. I couldn’t give you a definite answer. :/
Christina, the jello recipe calls for 1 – 2 oz. pineapple chunks. Is that correct?? Thank you. Rita
That is correct. enjoy!
Christina, the smallest can of pineapple is 8 ounces. Did you mean 20 ounces, similar in size to the oranges and pears?
It’s a 20 oz can. Thanks for pointing that out. I’ve corrected the recipe. 🙂
Cherry jello salad
Do you put in the oranges with the liquid or do you drain them?
You drain them.
This reminds me of something my grandma used to make but she used cranberries. I love the idea of cherries for summer!
It’s so light and refreshing! Perfect for summer!
Your fabulous Cherry Jello Salad reminds me of the one my Grandmother used to make! It’s so yummy, refreshing and delicious. I’m tickled pink to have finally found a recipe similar to hers that I can continue to make and share with my family. This recipe is definitely a keeper!
Oh my yum! This type of salad reminds me of one my grandmother made. I love, love, love all of the different berries. So refreshing!
I love recipes that bring back memories 🙂
JELLO! I love Jello! I usually serve it for dessert but your recipe has so much yummy fruit in it that it was perfect for a side dish! My family though it was a treat!
This is such a classic and crowd pleasing dessert or snack! Jello and fruit just doesn’t get any better than this simple dish!
It’s a favorite in our house 🙂
My family loved your Cherry Salad recipe. So good and simple too.
I’m glad you enjoyed it!
I love how light and refreshing this salad is! A true classic!
Yes! It’s always a crowd pleaser!
Haven’t made a jello salad (ever), but this one looks way too good to pass up! YUM!
It’s always a hit when I make it! Light and refreshing!
What a fun dessert idea! I’ve never tried making jello salad before but it looks great!
My family can’t get enough of it!
Sounds Yummy, I’m on a lifetime healthy eating Dr ordered (diet)but I never thought to add all those at once to my sugarfree jello Delish!
New GFC, twitter follower/only GFC here though
http://sueparks2003.com/
Gladys Parker Thanks!
Stopping by from Whimsical Wednesday… hoping for a follow back… Can’t wait to try some of your recipes
This looks wonderful. I love food blogs and have one myself.
I found you from the Catch a Wednesay blog hop.
Elizabeth @ http://ithappensatdinner.blogspot.com
Ah, a classic. Wonderfully refreshing!
Yumm! Okay it has more ingredients than I usually deal with haha but this sounds too good not to make. Congrats on your nephew getting christened this weekend…such a beautiful moment..my son’s christening date is approaching and I still need to find him a white suit ahhh!
Delighted Momma
This looks yummy, can’t wait to make it tomorrow! Joined Ya on GFC, hope to see ya stop by Parent Palace = )
Found you at the Tuesday Blog Hop! Glad I did am a happy new follower :).
Hi,visiting from the Hop a Little Tuesday. Followed you before and have also clicked LIKE on your FB page as “Kara Hara”. I would love if you could return the favor.
http://freedelicacies.blogspot.com
Thank you.