This easy strawberry Jello salad is packed with sweet strawberries, peaches, and pineapple for a refreshing make-ahead side dish or dessert. With just 5 minutes of prep, it’s a nostalgic family favorite for holidays, potlucks, and cookouts.
If you’re looking for even more ways to use fresh strawberries, try this old-fashioned strawberry pie or this strawberry cream cheese icebox cake, and browse our full collection of easy recipes with strawberries!
Table of Contents
Before You Get Started
Before you stir everything together, here are a few quick tips to make sure your Jello salad with strawberries turns out just right:
- Boil the water completely. Lukewarm water won’t dissolve the gelatin properly, and your salad may end up grainy or loose.
- Drain the pineapple, but not the peaches. The pineapple should be well-drained to avoid excess liquid, while the peach juice adds both flavor and moisture.
- Give it plenty of time to set. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours (overnight is even better) so the texture is firm and easy to slice.
- Pick your pan size. A 9 x 13-inch pan makes thinner slices, while an 11 x 7-inch dish gives you thicker, more dramatic servings. Both work beautifully!
** Tip: If you’re making this for a party, prep it the night before so it’s perfectly chilled and ready to serve the next day.
How to Make Strawberry Jello Salad
This easy Jello salad recipe comes together in just a few simple steps:
Step 1: Prep the Dish
Lightly spray a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with cooking spray and set aside. This makes cleanup easier and helps the salad release cleanly once set.
Step 2: Dissolve the Gelatin
In a large bowl, whisk together the two small boxes of strawberry Jell-O and 2 cups of boiling water. Stir for about 2 minutes until the gelatin completely dissolves and the mixture looks clear and smooth.
** Pro Tip: The water needs to be boiling, not just hot from the tap. Properly dissolving the gelatin ensures the salad sets firmly.
Step 3: Let it Cool Slightly
Let the gelatin mixture sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes so it’s no longer steaming hot. This step keeps the fruit from watering down the mixture.
** Quick Note: If you’re using fresh strawberries instead of frozen, you can skip this cooling step.
Step 4: Add the Fruit
Stir in the frozen sliced strawberries (no need to thaw), the well-drained crushed pineapple, and the canned peaches with their juice. Gently mix until the fruit is evenly distributed. The mixture should look colorful and chunky.
Step 5: Pour and Chill
Pour the mixture into your prepared dish, cover, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or until fully set. It should jiggle slightly when shaken but feel firm to the touch.
** Tip: For the cleanest slices, chill overnight. The extra time helps the gelatin firm up completely.
Step 6: Slice and Serve
Cut into squares and serve with a dollop of Cool Whip or homemade whipped cream on top. The creamy topping pairs perfectly with the fruity, tangy Jello.
What Happened to Jello Salads?
Jello salads may have faded from popularity over the years, but they still hold a special nostalgic charm. Once a staple at family potlucks and holiday tables, these sweet, fruit-filled “salads” are a fun, retro reminder of simpler times.
This strawberry Jello salad is essentially a quicker and easier version of my grandmother’s famous Jell-O molds, which made regular appearances at her dinner parties and on her holiday tables throughout the 60’s and 70’s.
Variations and Serving Ideas
Serving Ideas:
- Top with Cool Whip, homemade whipped cream, or even a spoonful of sour cream for a tangy twist.
- Go full retro and serve on a bed of lettuce with cottage cheese, just like Grandma used to.
- Offer it as a sweet side dish at potlucks or serve it as a light dessert after a summer meal.
Flavor and Fruit Swaps:
- Try other Jell-O flavors like orange, raspberry, cherry, or lemon.
- Use different fruits such as blueberries, mandarin oranges, or bananas.
- When fresh strawberries are in season, slice them and substitute for frozen.
Pan Size Options:
- Use a deeper 11×7-inch dish for thicker slices.
- Make a smaller batch by cutting the recipe in half and using an 8-inch square pan.
Dietary Adaptations:
- Use sugar-free strawberry Jell-O (the 0.3-ounce boxes) for a lighter version.
This was so easy and delicious! Perfect for our family potluck. Thank you for the wonderful recipe!
– Alayna
Storage, Freezing & Make-Ahead
- Make Ahead: Prepare the salad up to 1 day in advance and refrigerate until you’re ready to serve. Add the whipped topping just before serving so it stays fluffy.
- Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. The texture may soften a bit as the fruit releases moisture, but it will still taste great.
- Freeze: I don’t recommend freezing Jello salad; the texture becomes watery once thawed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use fresh strawberries instead of frozen?
Yes! Just slice them and use about 3 cups total. Since they don’t release as much liquid as frozen berries, the texture will be slightly firmer.
Do I need to thaw the frozen strawberries first?
No, add them straight from the freezer. The cold berries help the Jello set faster.
Can I substitute Cool Whip with homemade whipped cream?
Definitely. Fresh whipped cream or canned whipped topping works great too. For a lighter option, try sugar-free Cool Whip.
Why is my Jello salad watery?
Usually, this happens if the gelatin didn’t fully dissolve or if the pineapple wasn’t drained well. Make sure to use boiling water and drain the pineapple completely before adding it.
How long does it take for Jello to set?
At least 4 hours in the fridge, but overnight is best for a firm, sliceable texture.
Can I use a different size dish?
Yes! A 9 x 13-inch dish makes thinner squares, while an 11 x 7-inch dish gives thicker slices. Both work fine; it’s just a matter of preference.
Can I use sugar-free Jell-O?
Absolutely. Use two 0.3-ounce boxes of sugar-free Jell-O in place of regular, and follow the recipe exactly as written.
Did you make this recipe?
If you enjoyed this recipe, please leave a comment with a 5-star review at the bottom of the post. Thank you!
Strawberry Jello Salad
Equipment
- 9 x 13 inch dish
Ingredients
- 2 small boxes strawberry Jell-O (use 3-ounce boxes of regular strawberry Jell-O, or 0.3-ounce boxes of sugar-free strawberry Jell-O)
- 2 cups boiling water
- 1 (14 ounce) package frozen, sliced strawberries (or about 3 cups fresh sliced strawberries)
- 1 (8 ounce) can crushed pineapple, well drained
- 1 (15 ounce) can sliced peaches, NOT drained
- Optional, for serving: frozen whipped topping (such as Cool Whip), thawed
Instructions
- Spray a 9 x 13-inch dish with cooking spray. Set aside.
- Whisk together the Jell-O and boiling water until the Jell-O dissolves.
- Stir in the strawberries, pineapple, and peaches (with peach juice).
- Pour the mixture into the prepared dish.
- Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or until set.
- Cut into squares; dollop with whipped topping just before serving.
Notes
- You’ll need two small boxes of strawberry Jell-O (either 3-ounce boxes of regular Jell-O or 0.3-ounce boxes of sugar-free).
- Boil the water completely (on the stovetop or in the microwave for about 3 minutes) to ensure the gelatin dissolves properly.
- Don’t thaw frozen strawberries first; add them directly to the mixture. Use unsweetened frozen strawberries only.
- Drain the crushed pineapple well, but do NOT drain the canned peaches (the juice adds flavor and necessary liquid).
- Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight for the firmest texture and cleanest slices.
- For thicker slices, use a deep 11 x 7-inch dish instead of a 9 x 13-inch pan.
- Fresh strawberries can be substituted for frozen; just slice them first.
Nutrition
I’m making this for the 3rd time today, it’s a wonderful recipe! Thanks so much for sharing.
– Kacy
Originally published in April, 2018, this post was updated in November, 2025.
Fabulous, delicious and super easy! Made with the right fruit this is a perfect 0 point dessert on the Weight Watcher’s Flex points program.
Thanks, Debbie! I love this treat, too! And yes — it’s such a light option for those who don’t want heavy, high calorie desserts. 🙂
When our (extended) family gets together, we ALWAYS HAVE TO HAVE a jellied Salad! So many people think that because it is “sweet”, it has to be for dessert only but it is so good to have it as part of the meal.
Yes!! We’re the same way — it makes an appearance at every holiday in some form! 🙂 It’s definitely not just for dessert!
This was so easy and delicious! Perfect for our family potluck. Thank you for the wonderful recipe!
Wonderful! Thanks, Alayna!
Can u make it without the strawberries?
Yes! Feel free to swap them out with any other berries you prefer.
So, do you thaw the frozen strawberries if the other fruit isn’t frozen? Ever used fresh peaches (since they’re in season now) instead of canned peaches?
This is going to taste so refreshing alongside dinner this dreadfully hot, July weekend!!
Thank You!
Liz
Hi, Liz! No need to thaw the strawberries first. You can definitely use fresh peaches. Enjoy! 🙂
Can you make this in layers? Like jello then whipped cream then another jello layer on top? Also can I make this with strawberry soda instead of the cold water?
Hi, Susan! I don’t know — I’ve never tried it with the layers or with the soda, so I can’t guarantee that it would work. I know that other Jello salad recipes use soda sometimes, so I think that would probably work fine. If you want to use a creamy layer in the center, you might look to this recipe as an example: https://www.thatskinnychickcanbake.com/jello-rainbow-salad/ She uses sweetened condensed milk in that middle layer, rather than whipped cream. Just a suggestion, but feel free to give it a shot and let me know how it works!
I’m making this for the 3rd time today, it’s a wonderful recipe! Thanks so much for sharing.
That’s awesome to hear, Kacy! Thank you! I love it in the spring and summer especially, so thanks for the reminder. I need to make it again with spring around the corner! 🙂
Could I make with frozen mashed strawberries? Maybe if I drain them or not? What do you think?
We haven’t tried it, but it should work! We would recommend draining excess liquid. Please let us know how it goes if you give it a try!
Can this Jello salad be made in a round dish
Hi, Vicki! Yes, the shape of the dish shouldn’t matter at all. Just make sure that your dish has a capacity of about 3 quarts. Hope you enjoy!
Hello, is it ok to use sweetened frozen strawberries?
Hi Laura! They will work, but your dessert may be overly sweet.
Does it matter if the peaches are in light syrup, heavy syrup, or water? It looks wonderful!
Hi Jenny! We recommend using peaches packaged in peach juice, but anything should work.
We hope you enjoy!
I would like to to make it in a bowl & spoon it out loosely along side a piece of cake?