Easy Strawberry Jello Fruit Salad is a retro recipe that’s perfect for spring and summer holidays, parties and potlucks. You’ll love this foamy pink treat!
I found this fun retro strawberry Jello salad among my grandmother’s old recipes, although it was actually in my mom’s writing. The weird thing is that I don’t ever remember her making this. I know I’ve had a similar Jello salad before — probably at a church potluck or something like that. So, I asked my parents about it, and they both agreed that my mom probably got the recipe from my grandma but never made it herself.
It’s not that we never had Jello — We definitely did. But it was usually served plain, without fruit. I’ve never been a big fan of fruit in Jello, so plain was fine with me!
But last year, I made strawberry pretzel salad and a lime Jello salad that was one of the Hubs’ favorite dessert salads when he was growing up, and I actually liked it. So, I knew this strawberry Jello salad would be just as good. And actually, it’s even better!
This strawberry Jello fruit salad is definitely more of a dessert salad. It’s pink, sweet and kind of foamy. And it’s loaded with strawberries, which is always a good thing! It’s also super easy to make.
Basically, you just start out like you’re making regular Jello. You mix the gelatin with hot and cold water, and then you put it into the fridge to thicken up a little bit. Then, you stir in frozen strawberries, which helps the mixture to firm up.
Next, you use a wire whisk to whip the mix until it resembles broken-up Jello, and then, you gently fold in whipped topping. Keep it in the fridge until you’re ready to eat, and that’s it!
I know it’s not a healthy salad recipe, but hey, it does have fruit! And besides, I’m a sucker for vintage recipes — when you make them and taste them, it’s like stepping back in time. Who’s with me on that?!
How to Make Strawberry Jello Fruit Salad
Strawberry Jello Fruit Salad
Ingredients
- 1 6-ounce package Strawberry Jello
- 2 cups hot water
- 1 3/4 cup cold water
- 1 8-ounce package whipped topping
- 1 pound frozen strawberries, halved
Instructions
- In a large casserole dish, mix the Jello with hot water and cold water until completely dissolved
- Refrigerate for about 1/2 hour, or until Jello starts to thicken
- Stir in frozen strawberries, and whip with a wire whisk until mixture is thick and resembles broken-up Jello
- Fold in whipped topping, smooth top of mixture, and refrigerate until ready to serve
Notes
Nutrition
My family scarfed this strawberry Jello fruit salad down like there was no tomorrow — they loved it! It’s perfect for Easter, Mother’s Day, potlucks or any spring or summer gathering.
I hope you enjoy it as much as we did. And if you grew up with this retro salad, let me know.
Happy Cooking,
Stephanie says
My kids would definitely love this fun salad!
Cathy Pollak says
I love a good jello salad!
Jen says
This looks so fun and delicious! I’m a sucker for vintage recipes too.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Such a classic, I love Jello salads like this!
Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious says
This is so perfect for all of those family get togethers coming up!
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
Strawberry jello is my favorite! This salad looks great!
Catalina @ Peas & Peonies says
Strawberry dessert is my favourite! This salad looks fantastic!
Miz Helen says
Congratulations!
Your post is featured on Full Plate Thursday and pinned to our Features board. Thanks so much for sharing with us and enjoy your new Red Plate!
Miz Helen
Gloria Timmons says
Are you using fresh strawberries for the garnish?
Dee says
Yes. I used sliced fresh strawberries on top.
Gloria Timmons says
Can you add a layer of cool whip on top before you add the garnish of strawberries?
Dee says
Definitely! That sounds good to me! 🙂
Linda Cooley says
6 oz jello? Is that correct?
Dee says
Yes — 6-ounce box of Jello. 🙂
Gwen says
Sounds so yummy! Can this be made a day ahead?
Dee says
Yes. I’ve made it the day before, and it was fine. 🙂
Pam says
This may be a silly question but should this be covered with saran wrap in the fridge? 🙂
Dee says
It doesn’t need to be covered, but you can if you want. 🙂
Amy says
This looks delicious!! Silly question. Can I add mini marshmallows? Have you ever tried that? Also, if I make it the day before and serve it at dinner the next day, will it be alright still?
Dee says
I haven’t tried this with marshmallows, but that sounds good. It should be fine the next day. 🙂
Patricia says
I made this for a baby shower and all the older woman loved it! The grandmother requested the recipe so I just printed one for her. I am making again for a birthday party this weekend, thanks for sharing! 🙂
Dee says
So glad they liked it, Patricia. Thanks for letting me know! 🙂
Connie says
Can this be made in a large glass mixing bowl instead of a casserole dish. I don’t have any casserole dishes fancy enough for serving. Thanks.
Dee says
That should work, but it may take a little longer to set.
Dawn says
Will this recipe work with fresh strawberries that have not been frozen??
Dee says
I haven’t tried it with fresh, but it should. It might just take longer to firm up.
Sandra says
My mom used to make this every Christmas except she used chopped apples, bananas and pecans instead of strawberries. It is delicious!
Dee says
Holidays bring out the best cooking memories. Sounds delicious!
Jeff Salmans says
My mom made this every Thanksgiving, though she also added marshmallows. One year when I was about 3-4, I asked if I could have more of that “good salad”. It’s been Good Salad ever since.
Dee says
Marshmallows must make this even better! 🙂
Sara says
My mom made this every thanksgiving! It was forever dubbed “Pink Salad” ❤️
Diane says
This didn’t set very well for me. Maybe it was the sugar free Jello? It still tasted pretty good, but it was very sloshy. 😟
Dee says
Oh no! It could have been the Jello. So sorry about that.
sanchez says
Classic! My grandma made this for me too. Just followed your recipe last night, now I’m really into it.
Melanie Ratzlaff says
Sorry, not from the States. What is a “package of whipped topping”??? 🙂
Dee says
Here, it usually refers to “Cool Whip”, which is like a stabilized whipped cream.
Donata Spinella says
Mom called it Jell-O Whip. Must have found recipe on the gelatin package. Made it frequently without fruit back then. Delicious. Adding fruit is a great idea.
Dee says
No fruit sounds good, too. Thank you for sharing this! 🙂