This Cranberry Jell-O Salad recipe blends the tart taste of fresh cranberries, the sweetness of raspberry Jell-O, and a hint of citrus from fresh orange zest. The lemon yogurt is the secret ingredient that makes this Jell-O salad a bit creamy in taste and texture. It’s the perfect sweet and refreshing bite to add to your Holiday table, which is generally a super savory and salty meal. And bonus- you just need 6 ingredients!

Cranberry Jello Salad in a glass bowl with cranberry, orange and whipped cream on top

WANT TO SAVE THIS RECIPE?!

I'll email this recipe to you, so you can come back to it later!

We love a good Jell-O salad! They’re so wonderfully old-fashioned and classic, a true must-have on our holiday table. At Easter, we go with a Raspberry Jell-O Fluff Salad, that reflects Spring time perfectly. But when it comes to Thanksgiving and Christmas, this Cranberry Jell-O Salad is the perfect festive choice.

Thanksgiving table with a plate full of food

Thanksgiving Dinner for 10

“This is a wonderful resource to help you plan your Holiday meal, whether you are a seasoned host or this is your first time!” -Susie

Get the recipes

Table of Contents hide

1 Thanksgiving Dinner for 10

2 Ingredient Details

3 How To Make Cranberry Jell-O Salad

4 Recipe Tips to Remember & Troubleshooting

5 Troubleshooting

6 More Great Holiday Side Dishes

7 Did you make this recipe?

8 Fresh Cranberry Jell-O Salad

Ingredient Details

Raspberry Jell-O: This is the perfect flavored Jell-O to pair with the cranberries. You could also give it a try with Black Cherry, Cherry or Cranberry Jell-O. You will need two 3 oz. packages of Jell-O

Whole Berry Canned Cranberries: This is the same item used in this Canned Cranberry Sauce Recipe. It is a great shortcut product. make sure you buy the WHOLE BERRY CRANBERRY SAUCE, and not just the jellied cranberries.

ingredients to make Cranberry Jell-O Salad

Lemon Yogurt: This is the secret ingredient that makes this Cranberry Jell-O Salad a stand out dish. The lemon blends perfectly with the other flavors and it makes the salad a bit creamy in texture and taste. I have been successful with a traditional Yoplait Lemon Yogurt as well as a Chobani Lemon Greek Yogurt (which is a little under 6 oz, but it still works!!)

Fresh Cranberries: You just need ½ cup of fresh cranberries to add to this salad. If you buy a 12 oz bag, you can use the rest to make a breakfast recipe for Thanksgiving or Christmas morning. You can also garnish a punch or drinks with the remaining cranberries!

Orange Zest: Adds such a bright and citrusy flavor to the Cranberry Jell-O salad. The orange flavor pairs PERFECTLY with cranberry and lemon.

Walnuts: The nuts add a crunch to this Thanksgiving Jell-O Salad… I wasn’t sure I would like them in there, but ended up loving it. Toasting the nuts in a dry pan for a couple minutes brings out their crunch! You can also opt to omit the nuts, especially if you have nut allergies.

How To Make Cranberry Jell-O Salad

This is an overview of the steps to make Cranberry Jell-O Salad. For more detailed instructions and ingredients pop down to the recipe card.

Step 1

In boiling water add the Jell-O and stir until it is dissolved. Add the canned cranberries and stir. Pop in the fridge for about 1.5 hours, whisking every 30 mins.

whipping cranberry jello salad after refrigerating

Step 2

Remove from the fridge and mix together until it is frothy.

adding lemon yogurt to cranberry jello salad

Step 3

Blend in the lemon yogurt.

Adding fresh cranberries and walnuts to the cranberry jello salad

Step 4

Fold in the orange zest, chopped cranberries, and toasted chopped walnuts.

a glass bowl of cranberry jello salad with fresh cranberries and whipped cream on top

Step 5

Pour into the serving bowl or Jell-O mold and refrigerate for 6 to 24 hours.

Recipe Tips to Remember & Troubleshooting

When it is time to refrigerate the salad for the second time, pour it into the bowl you will serve it from.
Use a 6 cup Jell-O mold, a small Bundt pan, a small trifle bowl, or a glass bowl to refrigerate and serve this Cranberry Jell-O Salad. A 2 quart pan will also work.
Make this dish a day in advance so it has time to set up in the fridge.
Garnish the top with whipped cream, orange zest and fresh cranberries.
If family members have nut allergies, you can omit the walnuts and the recipe will still work!

Troubleshooting

If you opt for the Jell-O mold and it won’t release before serving, simply dip the mold in a little warm water and try again.
If you went the Jell-O mold route and it didn’t release in one whole piece, don’t fret!!! Stir the Cranberry Jell-O Salad up and pour it in a pretty serving bowl. It will still taste great and no one will know it was supposed to be in a “shape”.
If you didn’t have time to let the Cranberry Jell-O Salad completely set up, that is ok! Give it a good stir and serve it as more of a cranberry sauce. It will still be SUPER delicious.