This fluffy Strawberry Jello Salad recipe is perfect for every occasion from summer barbeques and holiday dinners! It is a dessert salad that everyone loves.
I was asked by a friend to bring a Strawberry Jello Salad to her house last Saturday night. She gave me the recipe (which I wrote on the back of some random piece of paper in my purse, outside the post office) over the phone and I promptly lost it!
So, at the grocery store, I called and got the ingredients from her again, thinking I had just left the recipe at home. So, this is what I came up with and I think it was pretty close to what I was supposed to make.
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Where is the easy Strawberry Jello Salad Recipe? In this post, I will share step-by-step instructions with photos for how to make jello salad, as well as answering FAQs about making jello salad, giving suggestions for more salad recipes and showing a video of the recipe. But you can go directly to the recipe by scrolling down to the bottom of the post.
What is Jello Salad?
Let’s start off by talking about what jello salad is. One of the definitions of the word salad is a usually incongruous mixture: hodgepodge. So basically a jello salad is a mixture containing jello and is served as a sweet side dish or dessert.
A jello salad can be translucent with pieces of fruit suspended in it. It can be spread out in a 9×13 pan or shaped into a mold. Or it can be a fluffy jello salad like the one in this recipe.
Jello salads contain everything from cream cheese and cottage cheese to diced fruit and vegetables to chopped pretzels and nuts.
How To Make Strawberry Jello Salad
Step One: Strawberries
Cut up a 16 oz package of fresh (or use frozen strawberries thawed enough to slice) and set them aside.
Step Two: Jello and Pudding
For the jello, you’ll need the larger sized package (6 oz) of strawberry jello. And for the pudding, find the cook and serve vanilla pudding (not instant).
Pour both in a saucepan and whisk to combine.
Step Three: Water
Whisk in the water. At this point, the mixture is opaque (you can’t see through it).
Step Four: Boil
Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly and boil for 2-3 minutes until mixture becomes more translucent (you can see through it).
Step Five: Ice
Adding ice to the hot jello mixture not only makes up the rest of the water needed but it also cools the jello down quicker.
Step Six: Cool
Pour into a heatproof bowl. Chill in the refrigerator until cool and slightly thickened.
Don’t leave it in the fridge too long or the jello will set completely and you won’t be able to incorporate the strawberries and cool whip.
Step Seven: Strawberries and Cool Whip
Once it has cooled and thickened slightly, add the cut up strawberries and cool whip.
Step Eight: Refrigerate
Put the strawberry jello salad into the fridge to chill and thicken.
Step Nine: Garnish
Garnish the strawberry jello salad with cool whip and strawberries before serving.
Strawberry Jello Salad FAQs
1. Can I use instant vanilla pudding instead of the cook and serve vanilla pudding? In this jello salad recipe, the strawberry jello and the pudding are cooked in a saucepan on the stovetop. I’ve never tried using the instant pudding but some of my readers have and they reported back that it does work.
2. Would this strawberry jello salad work in a mold? It does get quite firm so it should work in a mold.
3. How can make a lighter/lower calorie jello salad? Use light cool whip. Also, several readers have reported using sugar-free jello and vanilla pudding with great results.
4. Can jello salad be frozen? Yes. Spread it in a 9×13 pan (or 8×8 if using leftovers). Cover tightly with plastic wrap and then foil. Store in the freezer for up to two months. Uncover and thaw enough to cut into slices. Enjoy while still frozen like a slice of ice cream cake.
5. What other flavors of jello salad could I make? Try raspberry, mandarin orange, cranberry, pineapple or banana cream. Or leave the fruit out and make pistachio, lemon or lime jello salad.
Want More Sweet Salad Recipes? Try These Next:
Strawberry Pecan Pretzel Salad is one of the MOST POPULAR recipes. It’s cool and creamy with caramelized brown sugar pretzels and diced strawberries. There won’t be any leftovers of this dessert salad!
This Tropical Fruit Pretzel Salad is cool and creamy with crunchy brown sugar pretzels and tropical fruit. It’s definitely more of a dessert salad than a healthy green salad and the combination is irresistible!
Apple Snicker Salad from Lil Luna is kind of like a big caramel apple covered in nuts and cream!
This Cranberry Pecan Pretzel Salad recipe with cranberry sauce, sugared pecans and pretzels is perfect for holiday dinners from Thanksgiving to Christmas.
Strawberry Jello Salad Recipe
This fluffy Strawberry Jello Salad recipe is perfect for every occasion from summer barbeques and holiday dinners! It is a side dish that everyone loves.
Ingredients
- 16 oz fresh strawberries, (or use frozen strawberries - thawed to cut)
- 6 oz pkg strawberry jello
- 4.6 oz pkg cook ‘n serve vanilla pudding
- 2 1/2 cups water
- 1 cup ice cubes
- 16 oz cool whip
Optional Garnish
- 1/2 cup cool whip
- 6 whole strawberries
Instructions
- Cut up a 16 oz package of fresh (or frozen) strawberries and set aside.
- Whisk together strawberry jello and the cook and serve vanilla pudding in a saucepan.
- Whisk in the water.
- Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly and boil for 2-3 minutes, until the mixture becomes more translucent.
- Remove from heat and stir in the ice cubes until melted.
- Pour into a large heatproof bowl and cool in the refrigerator until slightly thickened.
- Remove from fridge and stir in the diced strawberries and cool whip.
- Return the jello salad into the fridge to chill and thicken.
Optional Garnish
- Garnish with cool whip and strawberries before serving.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 16 Serving Size: 16 gramsAmount Per Serving: Calories: 119Total Fat: 8gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 22mgCarbohydrates: 12gFiber: 1gSugar: 11gProtein: 1g
Nutrition data is calculated automatically by Nutritionix and isn't always accurate. I am not a certified nutritionist and make no claims to the contrary. Each individual’s dietary needs and restrictions are unique to the individual. You are ultimately responsible for all decisions pertaining to your health.
Photo from original recipe shared in August 2011!
Kelley says
This looks so delicious. Wondering if you could use crushed pineapple in it instead of the cut up strawberries. Also, do make this in a 9×13″ pan? Having a Valentine’s dinner coming up at church. Thought this would be great to take. Thank you.
Rhonda says
I love jello salad!! This looks so good. Perfect for a potluck…everyone loves it.
Starshine says
Can this recipe be used in a mold?
Tonia says
I’ve never tried it but this recipe does get pretty firm so it should work in a mold! ~Tonia
Kat says
This salad is delicious and I have never had anything quite like it. I used sugar free pudding, jello and lite cool whip. I am adding the recipe to my favorite lightened desserts recipes and look forward to trying different fruits and jello flavors.
CJ says
I read the dessert and thought what a great summer treat. Sadly when I made it it did not gel! I used the correct amounts but it turned out wobbly and more like a thick strawberry cloud soup
Any suggestions?
mary ford says
I just made this and I wonder if you used 8oz cool whip since that is the only ones in the market here or if you used 2 – 8oz cool whips??? It seemed to have stronger berry flavor with just 8oz cool whip.
Tonia says
Our grocery stores sell the 16 oz size container but you could use two 8 oz containers instead! Enjoy! ~Tonia
Kathy says
I made the Key Lime Pie and my sister and I just love it.
Tonia says
Fantastic! I love to hear that. I hope you have a wonderful summer! ~Tonia
Nancy Corriveau says
I am having the Sunday school ladies prayer group over Thursday , Dec.18,2014.We will be having lunch.afterward and each of the ladies will be bring a salad.I can Hardily wait to make the Strawberry Salad.I know everyone will love it. Thank you so much. P.S.it’s winter here but I know we. Will still enjoy it.
joanmarie says
I have tried this strawberry cloud salad recipe; it is delicious. I have also tried changing the ingredients two different times for a variety.
One time is used orange jello with crushed pineapple.
Another time I used pineapple jello with mandarin oranges.
Good refreshing summer time treats!
All VERY Good. 🙂
Peggy says
I’d like to make this for monthly bunco but don’t know how many this recipe makes. Anyone got an answer?
Tonia says
Hi Peggy,
Thanks for stopping by! Since it is a salad, it really depends on your serving size. It will make 16 – 4 oz (1/2 cup) servings. I hope your bunco group enjoys it!
~Tonia
Melissa Kita says
Can this be lightened up with sugar free jello, fat free pudding & light cool whip? Also, could different berries be used? This sounds yummy!
Kathy says
This looks and sounds delicious and so refreshing. I would make a couple of changes using sugar free jello and instead of using cool whip, using plain yogurt and some splenda if needed. I’m a diabetic and often have plain yogurt with sugar free jelly or sugar free jello and it’s delicious. I will be making this with those few changes. Thanks for the recipe.
Tonia says
Sounds great! I’m glad you figured out a way to make it work for you!
The Better Baker says
OH.I.WOULD.LOVE.THIS!! Awesome and wonderful…and I can’t wait to make it. Perfect for summertime!
Melissa Lawler says
Yum! I haven’t had Strawberry Fluff since I was a kid.
Tonia says
My mom still makes it at family gatherings!
NoNoNannette says
This look great, but how many does the recipe sever?
Tonia says
There would be about 16 – 4 oz (1/2 cup) servings.
peg says
I cant wait to make this. Have a baby shower coming up and was looking for something different and tasty. And with the berries plentiful–its on my list to make. Thanks for the great and easy recipe!
Lady Behind The Curtain says
THANK YOU so much for sharing your recipe with me at Cast Party Wednesday. I’d like to invite you back this week.Thanks,I hope to see you again!
Ali says
Thank you so much for sharing this at Recipe Sharing Monday. I hope to see you back tomorrow 🙂
Crystal says
shared this with my facebook readers. thanks for much for linking up.
A Pretty Life in the Suburbs says
Yeeeeuuum! This is a must-make!Jo-Anna
Michelle Paige says
Great blog…I’ve been reading and reading and can’t stop…so I think I’m your newest follower!
Confessions of a Stay at Home Mommy says
Oh yum!!! I would love it if you linked this up to my Tuesday Confessional link party going on now: http://www.craftyconfessions.com/2011/08/tuesday-confessional-link-party-and.html.See you soon!~Macy
Confessions of a Stay at Home Mommy says
Oh yum!!! I would love it if you linked this up to my Tuesday Confessional link party going on now: http://www.craftyconfessions.com/2011/08/tuesday-confessional-link-party-and.html.See you soon!~Macy
Confessions of a Stay at Home Mommy says
Oh yum!!! I would love it if you linked this up to my Tuesday Confessional link party going on now: http://www.craftyconfessions.com/2011/08/tuesday-confessional-link-party-and.html.See you soon!~Macy
June@I will craft says
Oh this looks delicious. I think I’ll be trying it soon. Thanks for sharing.
Stephanie says
That looks so yummy! I am going to write down your recipe and give it a try!
OnePerfectDay says
Looks great!I’ll have to give it a go.
Something Swanky says
This looks delicious!!Hoping to see you tomorrow at the Sweet Treats Party and GIVEAWAY!!Ashtonhttp://www.somethingswanky.com{Sweet Treats Thursday} Thu-Sun
Anne @ Domesblissity says
I reckon if I could get half of those ingredients Tonia I’d be making that tomorrow. We’ve just coming into strawberry season here and warmer weather. It’d go down a treat. Anne xx
Lindsay @ Delighted Momma says
Yum yum yum!! You always have the best recipes with the greatest how to pictures. Love that