Isn’t this easy, 5-minute Strawberry Sunshine Jello Salad pretty? With an abundance of strawberries, peaches, and pineapple tucked inside, it's a perfectly refreshing fruit salad for the warm months ahead!
What is Jello Salad?
Jello salad is not what you'd normally think of when you hear the word "salad". It's a sweet side dish consisting of jello and a mix of fruit and it's so delicious!
This side-dish is totally “retro” (does anyone still serve Jello Salad on a regular basis?)...but it’s really tasty! Of course, the kids love to see something sweet on their dinner plates, too!
It's like an easier version of my grandmother's famous Jell-O molds!
How do you make an easy Strawberry Jello Salad?
You just need a few very basic ingredients, and there's hardly any prep work involved. We're talking 5 MINUTES of hands-on time, you guys! So let's do this:
- 2 small boxes of Strawberry Jell-O
- Boiling water (I just microwave my water for about 3 minutes on high, or until I see that it's boiling)
- Frozen sliced strawberries -- that's right, we're using a shortcut so that you don't even have to pull out your cutting board! You could also use fresh.
- Crushed pineapple
- Canned sliced peaches
- Whipped topping for garnish!
What to Serve it with?
While the recipe calls for a dollop of Cool Whip on top, you could be like my mom and serve it on a bed of lettuce with cottage cheese instead! Now that’s retro.
Whether you're headed to a church potluck, attending a cookout by the pool, or serving up a fancy-schmancy dinner or holiday brunch, this Strawberry Sunshine Jello Salad is a must on your menu!
We love it as a sweet, special side dish, but you can also offer it as a light dessert. I've got my grandmother to thank for this inspiration, and I know that it will be passed along for many generations to come!
Top Tips for Making Jello Salad
- I have also prepared this Jello Salad in a deep 11 x 7-inch dish. The smaller dish yields thicker slices, so choose your preference. If you go with the smaller dish, just make sure that your dish is relatively deep so that it can accommodate all of the fruit.
- Cooking for a Smaller Family? Cut all of the ingredients in half and prepare the salad in an 8-inch square dish. The rest of the instructions remain the same.
- Want to try other flavors? you can use any berries you like in this dish and you could also opt for other jello flavors such as raspberry or cherry!
More Sweet Sides To Try:
- 5-Minute Cranberry Fluff Salad
- Pink Ambrosia Salad
- Orange Pineapple Fluff Cake
- Strawberry Pretzel Fluff
Strawberry Jello Salad
Ingredients
- 2 small boxes strawberry Jell-O I used 0.3 ounce boxes of sugar-free Jell-O, but small boxes of regular Jell-O also work!
- 2 cups boiling water
- 1 14 ounce pkg. frozen, sliced strawberries (or about 3 cups fresh sliced strawberries)
- 1 8 ounce can crushed pineapple, drained
- 1 15 ounce can sliced peaches, NOT drained
- Frozen whipped topping thawed (for serving)
Instructions
- Spray a 9 x 13-inch dish* with cooking spray. Set aside.
- Whisk together Jell-O and boiling water until Jell-O dissolves. Stir in berries, pineapple, and peaches (with peach juice).
- Pour mixture into prepared dish.
- Refrigerate for about 4 hours, or until set.
- Cut into squares; dollop with whipped topping just before serving.
Notes
- I have also prepared this Jello Salad in a deep 11 x 7-inch dish. The smaller dish yields thicker slices, so choose your preference. If you go with the smaller dish, just make sure that your dish is relatively deep so that it can accommodate all of the fruit.
- Cooking for a Smaller Family? Cut all of the ingredients in half and prepare the salad in an 8-inch square dish. The rest of the instructions remain the same.
- Want to try other flavors? you can use any berries you like in this dish and you could also opt for other jello flavors such as raspberry or cherry!
Debbie
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.
Blair
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. 🙂
Jane
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.
Blair
Yes!! We're the same way -- it makes an appearance at every holiday in some form! 🙂 It's definitely not just for dessert!
Alayna
This was so easy and delicious! Perfect for our family potluck. Thank you for the wonderful recipe!
Blair
Wonderful! Thanks, Alayna!
Liz
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
Blair
Hi, Liz! No need to thaw the strawberries first. You can definitely use fresh peaches. Enjoy! 🙂
Susan
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?
Blair
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!
Kacy Mcmullin
I'm making this for the 3rd time today, it's a wonderful recipe! Thanks so much for sharing.
Blair
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! 🙂