Strawberry Jello Salad with Cool Whip

This strawberry jello salad with Cool Whip offers a fresh take on jello salad and is a go-to side dish all spring and summer long! It’s delicious, easy to make, and will please everyone at the dinner table. Our family loves this salad, and with three ingredients, it’s a simple dish we can make for dinner or dessert all the time.

We all have memories of potlucks or family gatherings with interesting jello salads: mystery toppings and random fruit suspended in green gelatin. This is NOT that salad! This salad is light, refreshing, delicious, and pretty.

I served it as a dessert at dinner parties, with a little whipped cream, and received rave reviews! And my picky four-year-old loves it because it’s bright pink and has fresh strawberries.

It’s perfect all spring and summer because it’s cool and fresh and doesn’t require a lot of prep or time over a hot stove. It stores well for days, doesn’t go bad at a picnic, and can be dressed as a fancy dessert. It makes a perfect family-friendly side dish.

Ingredients

• one 6 oz box of regular (not sugar-free) strawberry jello, prepared according to the instructions below (do NOT follow the instructions on the box)
• one 8 oz container of Cool Whip
• 2 cups or 1 pound of fresh strawberries, diced or sliced how you prefer
• optional add-ins include: whipped cream for topping, strawberry jam at the bottom, or mini marshmallows to mix in

Instructions:

1. Boil one cup of water on the stovetop and mix it with the jello powder in a mixing bowl.
2. Add one cup of cold water and stir.
3. Chill jello, preferably in a shallow pan, for about 45 minutes or until it is cool and just starting to set.
4. Pour the jello into a large mixing bowl.
5. Mix the jello up vigorously for about one minute. Using an electric mixer is excellent for this step.
6. But watch out, it splashes. This breaks up any jello bits that have started to set and adds air to the mix.
7. Then fold in the Cool Whip and the strawberries.
8. Mix thoroughly, but be gentle, and don’t deflate the mix by stirring too aggressively.
9. If you want to add mini marshmallows, do it now. Add them in about 1/2 cup at a time to ensure you don’t overdo it. Transfer to a 9×13 pan for serving or into individual dishes. You can top it with whipped cream and sliced strawberries if you prefer.

How long do I chill the jello?

From start to finish, the salad requires about ten minutes of effort, but you should plan because it requires two trips to the fridge to chill and set. For the first step, make the jello according to the instructions on the box, then chill for about 45-60 minutes or until the jello barely begins to set. You’ll know it’s ready when it’s not runny and is thoroughly chilled.

It shouldn’t be set. Otherwise, it will not mix in with the Cool Whip correctly. You must chill it for at least another hour the second time until the jello is firm and set. You can tell it’s ready when it’s firm to the touch. You can also try a different type of salad, perhaps a fresh and vibrant fruit salad would be a great choice. This is a great way to enjoy a healthy and colorful mix of fruits. They’re easy to make and perfect for any occasion.

How long do you wait to add fruit to jello?

You don’t have to wait very long – just right after you mix the jello for a minute with your electric mixer or whisk.

Can you use sugar-free jello?

No, we do not recommend using sugar-free jellow.

What other add-ins can I use?

Jello salad is a versatile dish, and you can add a variety of ingredients to customize it to your taste. 

• Pineapple chunks, mandarin oranges, and fruit cocktails are popular choices.
• Berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries), sliced kiwi, grapes, or diced apples can add freshness.
• Sliced bananas add a creamy texture to the salad.
• Some Jello salads include cottage cheese for a creamy element
• Adding mini marshmallows can bring a sweet and soft texture.

Should I use fresh or frozen berries?

This recipe calls for fresh berries, diced into small pieces, so they suspend nicely in the solution and aren’t too big to eat. Frozen berries will work in a pinch, but they’ll be chunkier, and add a bit of water as they thaw in the salad. The upside to frozen berries is they will chill the salad faster.

You don’t need to dice the berries. If you prefer, slicing them into thin strips or julienne pieces will also be attractive. Always be consistent throughout the salad so they mix well and look uniform.

How can I make this salad fancier?

If you want to dress up this dish, spread a spoonful of strawberry jam in the bottom of a dessert dish or shallow glass. Then add the salad mix. After the dish has chilled, dollop it with fresh whipped cream and a slice of strawberry.

How long does jello last in the fridge?

It will stay fresh in the fridge for up to five days. It can stay fresh at a picnic for a few hours (due to the gelatin and sugar content). It will get soft if it’s outside in the heat for too long.

Can I freeze this jello salad?

This is not an ideal dish to freeze, as jello loses its structure when it thaws from being frozen.

How many does this serve?

This dish serves 12, give or take a little bit.

More Jello Salads You Might Enjoy:

• Thanksgiving Jello Salad with Cranberries
• Cottage Cheese Jello Salad
• Strawberry Pretzel Jello Salad