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
Strawberry Jello Fruit Salad
Ingredients
- 1 6-ounce package Strawberry Jello not sugar free
- 2 cups hot water
- 1 3/4 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.
Notes
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.
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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,
Katie says
Thank you for this recipe! I absolutely love it. It reminds me of my childhood days😃
Dee says
Thank you so much, Katie! I’m so happy you liked it!
Lisa says
This is a very tasty recipe. I made it for dessert last night and loved it. There’s barely any leftover because I’ve eaten so much. I’ll definitely be making this again👍
Dee says
That’s wonderful! Thank you so much, Lisa!
Alexis says
I absolutely love this recipe! It tastes like I’m eating pink fluff! My kids are also obsessed with and ask me to make almost every week!
Dee says
Awesome, Alexis! So glad you like it!
Alexandra says
I am obsessed with this recipe! I made it a week ago and it was a complete hit-the kiddos especially loved it. Because it was so good, I had to make it again. I can’t wait to be able to have cookouts and potlucks so I can serve this!
Dee says
Thanks, Alexandra! So happy your family likes it!
Edwina says
When I was a kid, my mom make a recipe similar to this with marshmallows in it. I made this recipe and the entire family loved it. It was delicious. My kids loved it and I’ll be making it again. So good.
Dee says
Family recipes are the best! Love that you added marshmallows!
Ali says
My grandmother made this for every holiday. We called it “pink stuff”! I’m going to try to make it!
Dee says
I hope you like it, Ali!
BETHANY ROE says
This is very yummy. My Aunt going through chemo loses her taste every time. One thing she can still enjoy is cold foods and fruit. This is the perfect combo. Happy to be able to take this tomorrow for our Christmas get together. Thanks for sharing!
Dee says
I’m so glad she likes it, Bethany. Thanks so much!
Susan Jones says
I make this for Thanksgiving and Christmas only I make it with orange jello, mandarin oranges , marshmallows, whip cream.
This year I’m going to make blueberry jello ,fresh blueberries , marshmallows, whip cream
Dee says
Blueberries sound so good! Thanks for sharing!
Janis Merryman says
Just had this strawberry wonder for the first time. Its wonderful, we all loved it and I will be making for the first time next week.
Dee says
Thanks so much, Janis! I’m so glad you enjoyed the salad!
Sue says
For the frozen strawberries, is it the carton with sugar or just whole unsweetened strawberries?
Thanks!
Dee says
It was sliced frozen strawberries — plain.
Kathryn says
So all I find is a .6 oz size jello box. Is there actually a 6 oz size or is there supposed to be a period before the 6? Thanks!
Dee says
As far as I know there are only 6 ounces and 3 ounces. Just checked a box of Jello and it reads 6 oz — no period before the 6.
Brenda Daniels says
The sugar free jello pkgs are .3 and .6. The regular jello is 3 oz and 6 oz.
Dee says
Thanks for clarifying that, Brenda!
Pam Roper says
May (2) 3ozpkgs be used in place of the 6oz size? How would I adjust the water?
Dee says
2 3-ounce boxes would be the same as 1 6-ounce box of Jello, so you can use the same amount of water as called for in the recipe.
Julia C Murphy says
Delicious. I brought it to an end of summer party. Itceas gone very fast.
Dee says
So glad everyone enjoyed the jello! Thanks for letting me know.
Dorie Liang says
Do you thaw out the cool whip in the refrigerator first or fold it in frozen?
Dee says
It should be thawed first so that it’s easier to blend.
Debby says
Tried making this twice. Neither time did the jello firm up. Can’t figure out what I did wrong
Dee says
So sorry that happened, Debby. I’ve never had that problem, so I can’t say for sure, but it sounds like there was too much liquid.
Christina Jackson says
The recipe calls for like 2 cups hot water and more than a cup of cold water. If u just make it according to jello box mix it’s only one cup hot and one cup cold. Could this be the problem?
Dee says
The recipe calls for using the large 6-ounce box of Jello, so the amounts listed are correct.
Rita says
Maybe you used 3 oz jello package instead of 6 oz. I’ve done it many times
Sylvia whitley says
It calls for a package of whipped topping. Do you just put in the contents of the package?? Or does it mean just the regular tub of cool whip!!
Dee says
It’s just Cool Whip or any generic whipped topping.
Kimberly says
HELP!!! I tried to make this last night for a work luncheon today, but the Jello never seemed to set up. I gave it about 1 1/2 hours, twice the time suggested. I put the frozen strawberries in anyway along with the cool whip but it came out very soupy even after being in the fridge all night. What did I do wrong????
Dee says
Oh, so sorry that happened! I can’t say exactly what the problem was, but it sounds like there may have been too much liquid. It should have firmed up after all that time.
Julie says
Can this be made with sugar free jello and light coolwhip.
Dee says
I’ve never tried making it this way, but I don’t see why not. 🙂
Kennedy says
Does it matter whether or not you use frozen strawberries ? Or can i use just non frozen strawberries
Dee says
I’ve never tried it with fresh strawberries, so I’m not sure if it makes a difference.
Pam says
Question: only having a small group of people, can the recipe cut in half? Has anyone done this? Thanks, Pam
Dee says
I haven’t done this, but you should be able to.
Rita Kenny says
I’m not sure if this is the same recipe. We use to make strawberry whip. But it was in a round bowl and you would scoop out a serving. Does it sound familiar to you ?
Dee says
I’ve heard the name before, but I can’t say for sure if it’s the same recipe. You can definitely serve this in a bowl and scoop it out.