Cranberry Jello Salad is a delightful treat, bursting with cranberries’ tart and sweet flavor with nuts for crunch. It’s a refreshing and simple dessert that’s perfect for any occasion.

A serving of Cranberry Jello Salad on a serving dish with pecans in the foreground.

Cranberry salad with Jello is a delightful dish that’s always a holiday favorite. This easy, homemade treat combines the sweet and tart flavor of cranberries with the fruity goodness of Jello. It’s a classic congealed salad perfect for Thanksgiving and other festive occasions.

One of the things that makes this cranberry Jello salad recipe stand out is its simplicity. Jello cranberry salad doesn’t require any advanced culinary skills. Anyone can whip it up effortlessly, yet it tastes like true love on a plate.

Combining cranberry gelatin and fruit creates a cranberry Jello dessert that’s both refreshing and satisfying. Whether your cranberry pineapple Jello salad is the star of your Thanksgiving table or just accompanying a family gathering, this easy-to-make, homemade delight will surely please everyone.

With a perfect combo of tangy fruit and nuts, it’s a beloved classic that adds a touch of nostalgia to any special occasion.

Ingredients needed to prepare cranberry jello salad.

How to Make this Cranberry Jello Salad Recipe

A full printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements is available at the bottom of this post.

Ingredients for cranberry jello salad in a clear mixing bowl with a whisk ready to be combined.

STEP ONE: In a large bowl, pour the Jello packets and cover them with boiling water. Mix until all of the powder is fully dissolved.

STEP TWO: Stir in the crushed pineapple and cranberry sauce until well combined.

Apples and pecans added to jello mixture in a mixing bowl to be folded in.

STEP THREE: Add the apples and pecans, gently folding them into the cranberry Jello mixture.

Fully combined jello salad ingredients transferred from mixing bowl to a baking dish.

STEP FOUR: Transfer the Jello cranberry salad mix to a greased 9×13” baking dish, then chill in the fridge for at least 3 hours before serving.

Prepared jello salad in a baking dish after being refrigerated.

More Fruit and Jello Salad Recipes

Jello Salad

Orange Dreamsicle Salad

Lime Jello Salad with Cottage Cheese made in a bundt pan and flipped onto a white plate with piece cut out and missing

Green Jello Salad with Cottage Cheese

Fruit Salad with Cool Whip

Variations for Cranberry Salad with Jello

Whip cream cheese into the classic Thanksgiving Jello salad for more of a fluffy version, creating a tangy and velvety twist on traditional cranberry Jello.
Fold finely chopped celery into the cranberry Jello for a refreshing crunch that pairs perfectly with the apples and pineapples.
Add a citrus twist to the cranberry pineapple Jello salad by introducing the zest of fresh oranges.
Garnish raspberry cranberry Jello salad with pomegranate seeds for a juicy crunch that perfectly compliments the fruity flavors.
If you prefer an alternative to pecans, walnuts or almonds can be excellent substitutes. They add a nutty element to raspberry cranberry Jello salad, offering a different flavor profile.
Change out the fresh fruit and use fruit cocktail instead, like in my Jello with fruit cocktail salad recipe.

A slice of cranberry jello salad on a saucer next to the dish holding the remaining salad.

How Long Can I Store Cranberry Jello Salad in the Fridge?

You can safely store cranberry salad with Jello in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 to 4 days.

Beyond this timeframe, the Jello cranberry salad’s texture and taste may deteriorate — it’s best when fresh.

A fork taking a bite of jello salad from the serving on a white saucer.

How Do I Prevent the Cranberry Jello from Becoming Too Watery?

Drain the canned fruits thoroughly before adding them to the Thanksgiving Jello salad mixture to prevent excess moisture in the salad.

Ensure you also use the proper water ratio to Jello packets in the first step. Just a touch of excess water can mess with the finished product.

Additionally, it’s important to avoid overmixing the ingredients, as this can cause the salad to become watery.

What to Serve with Thanksgiving Jello Salad

Is Cranberry Jello Salad Keto-Friendly?

This dish is super easy to make for different dietary preferences! You can make a keto-friendly version of cranberry Jello salad using sugar-free Jello and keto-approved sweeteners.

The flavor and texture should stay relatively similar and taste just as good!

A fork lifting a single bite of cranberry jello salad off the plate holding a single serving.

Can I Use Different Flavors Instead of Cranberry Jello?

You can experiment with various flavors of Jello to create unique variations of the salad!

Popular options include raspberry, cherry, and lime Jello, which all pair well with pineapples, cranberry sauce, and apples. Experiment with the pecans in the different flavor alternatives to see if you like them.