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!
Strawberry Jello Salad is super popular, especially around holidays and especially with those of you who grew up with this classic side dish. It was first published in 2017, and I updated the instructions as of June 2020 for clarity and added tips for making the Jello set.
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!
How to Make Strawberry Jello Salad
Basically, you just start out like you're making regular Jello. You mix the gelatin with hot, then cold water, and then you put it into the fridge to thicken up a little bit.
It takes anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour for the Jello to start to thicken up -- at least in my fridge! It's not supposed to be completely set -- just thicker.
Now, take a whisk or use an electric mixer, and beat the Jello until it turns foamy. This takes just a couple of seconds, especially if you use a mixer.
Then, you stir in your thawed Cool Whip. You can use the mixer until it gets blended. It'll look very pink and foamy. Now, gently add the strawberries, and pop it into the fridge to firm up.
It takes about 2 hours for the Jello salad to set and be firm enough to eat. You can serve it in slices, like a cake or scoop it out with a spoon. You can also get creative and add some sliced strawberries for decoration!
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.
I have never had trouble getting the Jello to set, but some of you have written in asking for help. I reread my mom's old notes and changed the instructions slightly for clarity.
Tips for Success
- Make sure you are using the regular large 6-ounce box of Jello. The sugar free variety comes in different sizes.
- Use a long casserole dish to help the Jello set faster. If you're using a large bowl, it takes longer to set.
- Use plain frozen strawberries, not strawberries in syrup or sugar.
- Fresh strawberries are fine, but slice them and refrigerate until ready to use so they're not too warm.
- You can also freeze fresh sliced strawberries instead of buying frozen ones.
- Using an electric mixer helps whip the Jello up before adding the whipped topping.
- Thaw the Cool Whip in the fridge before adding it to the Jello.
Strawberry Jello Fruit Salad Recipe
Recipe
Strawberry Jello Fruit Salad
Ingredients
- 1 6-ounce package Strawberry Jello not sugar free
- 2 cups hot water
- 1 ¾ cups cold water
- 1 8-ounce package whipped topping like Cool Whip, thawed
- 1 pound frozen strawberries, sliced or fresh
Instructions
- In a large casserole dish, mix the Jello with hot water and cold water until completely dissolved
- Refrigerate for about 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until Jello starts to thicken. It will still be runny
- Use a whisk or electric mixer to mix Jello until foamy and thick.
- Stir in whipped topping, then gently add strawberries, and refrigerate for 2 hours or until firm and ready to serve.
Video
Notes
Nutrition information is estimated. Please do your own calculation to fit special diets.
Nutrition
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?!
Want something different? Try Orange Jello Salad or Ambrosia Fruit Salad.
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,
Kathy says
I remember this from my childhood! Easy to make and lots of fun! Went over well with my kid too!
Amy says
Has anyone tried this in a jello mold?
Marsha says
I’m looking at the strawberry gelatin dessert recipe. Instead of using the cold water can I substitute with soda (Coke of Sprite)? Thought it might give it a kick.
Dee says
I haven't tried using soda pop, but that sounds like a fun option. Let me know how it works if you try it!
Donata Spinella says
My Mom made this. We called it Jell-O Whip. Delicious! She let it set up partially in the refrigerator as you recommend BUT in a bowl, dumped whipping cream into the cooled mixture and just whipped until smooth before refrigerating again until set.
Dee says
There are a lot of different ways to make this -- all good! 🙂
Tracy Gentry says
I let the jello get too thick before adding the strawberry’s and cool whip. I’m worried it won’t set up now? Can you freeze this recipe by chance? Thanks
Dee says
It should still set up. You can try freezing just as long as it needs to set, but it doesn't freeze well for storage.
Shirley says
Not a pro but we started making cream whipped jellos in early 70s. To thicken use Knox. can be purchased at some grocery stores.
Fantastic taste for her recipe. Clear packages of knox is used for creme cheeses and sea food. Whole shrimpers and shrimp, prawns, etc.
Jan says
Couldn't I make this with two 3 oz. boxes of sugar free jello?
Dee says
Yes, people have said it works with sugar free Jello.
Amy says
A local grocery store carried a salad like this year's ago & I loved it. So glad to have found this recipe! I'm making for my grandsons 1st birthday!
Dee says
Happy birthday to him! Hope you enjoy the salad!
Kayte says
Can you use whipped cream instead of cool whip
Dee says
The only problem with regular whipped cream is that it probably won't hold up. Cool Whip keeps its shape.
Jeani says
I DETEST Cool Whip! I would definetly whip one cup heavy cream with a package of Oetkers Whip It ( whipped cream stabilizer) and then fold it in. Will work perfectly!
Linda says
Do you put strawberries in frozen or defrost them first? I haven’t had this before but sounds delicious and am anxious to fix for Christmas?
Dee says
Hi Linda. You add frozen strawberries directly to the Jello. It helps the Jello firm up.
Anna says
Sooo happy to have found this! My mom made it every year for Thanksgiving but when she passed away last year, we couldn't find her recipe! Even after scouring all her 1950s and 1960s cookbooks! This tastes exactly like hers and I'm so glad that this holiday favorite doesn't have to die with her. Thank you so much. ❤
Dee says
Thank you so much for your wonderful review, Anna. I'm thrilled that I could help and so glad you enjoyed the recipe!
maria says
I was so excited to find this recipe. Mom used to make Jello salad, and this tasted exactly like hers and was so easy to make!
Mickey says
Can you make this the night before??
Dee says
Yes, it's fine to make it the night before and keep refrigerated.