🍇 Grandma’s Cranberry Salad
Serves 10–12 | Prep: 15 min + chilling overnight
🛒 Ingredients
1 (3 oz) package cherry Jell-O (red or raspberry work too)
1 cup hot water
1 cup granulated sugar
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 cup drained crushed pineapple (reserve the juice!)
½ to 1 cup pineapple juice (use reserved juice; add water if needed)
1 cup fresh cranberries, finely chopped or pulsed
1 medium orange, seeded and coarsely chopped (peel included for zest!)
½ cup pecans, chopped and lightly toasted (optional but recommended)
🔥 Pro Tip: Toasting pecans deepens their flavor — do it in a dry skillet 3–4 mins until fragrant.
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
STEP 1: Dissolve the Jell-O
In a 9x13-inch baking dish or glass pan, pour 1 cup hot water.
Add Jell-O powder and stir until completely dissolved (~2 mins).
Stir in:
Sugar
Lemon juice
Pineapple juice (½ to 1 cup — adjust sweetness/tartness to taste)
Mix well until sugar dissolves.
💡 Want it less sweet? Reduce sugar to ¾ cup.
STEP 2: Add the Good Stuff
Gently fold in:
Drained crushed pineapple
Chopped cranberries
Chopped orange (yes, peel and all — it adds bright citrus zing!)
Toasted pecans
🍋 Grandma’s Secret: Chop pecans first — otherwise, sticky fruit residue gums up your blender!
STEP 3: Chill Overnight
Cover with plastic wrap.
Refrigerate at least 6 hours, preferably overnight.
This allows flavors to meld and texture to set perfectly.
STEP 4: Serve & Smile
Cut into squares or scoop with a spoon.
Serve chilled — it holds its shape beautifully.
🍽️ Serving Ideas:
Alongside turkey, ham, or roast beef
On a holiday buffet with other classics
As a sweet-tart palate cleanser between bites
🌈 Variations & Pro Hacks
🌱 No Blender? Use a food processor or sharp knife to chop cranberries/orange
🍊 Orange Swap: Try clementines or tangerines for milder flavor
🥜 Nut-Free? Omit pecans — or swap with sunflower seeds
🍯 Less Sugar? Use ¾ cup sugar + 1 packet of monk fruit sweetener
🧊 Make-Ahead Magic: Keeps well for 3–4 days in the fridge
❄️ Freeze It? Not recommended — texture changes when thawed
🧠 Why This Works So Well
Cranberries + orange peel = bold, fresh acidity that cuts through rich holiday meals
Pineapple juice enhances sweetness and helps dissolve Jell-O evenly
Toasted pecans add richness and crunch — no bland salads here!
Overnight chill = firm yet tender texture — like a festive fruit terrine
It’s not just nostalgic — it’s brilliantly balanced. ✨
❤️ Final Thought: The Best Traditions Are Meant to Be Shared
You don’t need fancy ingredients or hours in the kitchen to make something truly special.
Just good fruit, a little sugar, and love.
This Cranberry Salad proves that the most beloved dishes are often the simplest — vanishing fast from every holiday table they grace.
So next time you’re planning your feast…
Don’t skip the salad.
Make this.
Because great food doesn’t have to be complicated —
It just has to taste like home. 💛
