Old Fashioned Lime Jello Salad
When it comes to easy desserts, you can't go wrong with a vintage lime Jello salad! This old-fashioned recipe is perfect for any party, featuring a subtle lime flavor paired with creamy Cool Whip and sweet crushed pineapple. And since there's no baking involved, this quick and easy sweet treat is a refreshing option for the hot summer months.
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What Do I Need to Make Lime Jello Salad?
The sweet and tart combination of ingredients make this easy dessert a popular choice all summer long. But what you're going to love most about whipping up your own fluff salad is that you only need a few simple ingredients to make it. Grab these supplies during your next shopping trip to make this dessert at home today.
- Lime Jello
- Cool Whip
- Crushed pineapple
- Fruity mini marshmallows
- Sour cream
- Sweetened shredded coconut
How Do I Make Lime Jello Salad?
This fluffy dessert is going to be the star of your next party! And you'll love making it because it's so simple to prepare. Just follow these easy steps to whip up your own Jello salad for your next get-together.
Step One: Mix the Jello
Start mixing this dessert by combining the Jello powder with the Cool Whip in a large bowl. Whisk together the two ingredients until they're smooth and well combined with no white streaks appearing in the bowl.
Step Two: Add the Remaining Ingredients
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Add the Jello mixture with the crushed pineapple, sour cream, mini marshmallows, and coconut to the bowl. Stir to mix the ingredients and serve immediately or cover and refrigerate overnight.
Jello Salad Tips and Tricks
Since this lime dessert is so simple to make, it's also easy to adjust. As you stir together your own no-bake dessert, try these tips and tricks for preparing a delicious treat that everyone in your family will love.
- Add more lime flavor. The lime-flavored Jello gives this dessert a subtle citrus flavor. But if you want more lime in your salad, replace the juice from the crushed pineapple with fresh lime juice. Drain the juice from the canned fruit before mixing the pineapple into the salad. Then, stir in 2 tablespoons of lime juice in its place.
- Replace the sour cream. If you're not a fan of sour cream, you can easily replace this ingredient in the recipe. Try using the same amount of plain Greek yogurt, softened cream cheese, or cottage cheese instead.
- Give the salad time to rest. While this dessert is ready to eat right after it's mixed up, it tastes better if you give it time to rest. After mixing the ingredients, cover the bowl and allow it to chill overnight to give the lime Jello time to soak into the sour cream and Cool Whip fully.
- Don't prepare the Jello. It's important to ignore the instructions on the back of the box when making this Jello dessert. You'll only need the Jello powder, so there is no need to prepare your Jello before mixing in with the rest of the ingredients.
- Add some toppings. Enhance the presentation of your Jello fluff by adding some toppings before serving. Try garnishing your lime dessert with mini marshmallows, pineapple pieces, or lime wedges.
- Give it some crunch. Add some crunchiness to your salad with the help of some nuts. Mixing in a handful of chopped pecans or walnuts will help balance the sweetness and give your salad a crunchier texture.
- Try different Jello flavors. Lime Jello is the classic option for this vintage dessert. But since there are so many different gelatine flavors to choose from, you have your pick of amazing ingredient combinations! Try using orange gelatin mixed with mandarin oranges, cherry Jello with pineapple and maraschino cherries, or strawberry gelatin with crushed pineapple and chopped strawberry pieces.
How Do You Store Lime Fluff?
After enjoying this fluff salad, it should be kept in the fridge. For best results, cover the bowl or transfer the leftovers to an airtight container. You can keep the fluff refrigerated for up to five days.
Can You Freeze Lime Jello Salad?
While this dessert tastes great after it's been sitting in the fridge, it's not a good option for freezer storage. The ingredients won't thaw well because of the combination of citrus and dairy. The acidity of the citrus flavor may cause the Cool Whip and sour cream to separate and become oily after it has thawed.
Is Jello Salad a Dessert or a Side Dish?
The beauty of this versatile recipe is that it can be both a dessert and a side dish! It's often served as a dessert since it's prepared with sweet ingredients, like Jello and Cool Whip. But the fruit mixed into the dish makes it a great option for a sweet side dish to pair with your summer BBQ or holiday dinner.
Old Fashioned Lime Jello Salad
Equipment
- Large Mixing Bowl
- Rubber Spatula
Ingredients
- 1 Box Lime Jello 3 ounces
- 1 Tub Cool Whip 16 ounces
- 1 Can Crushed Pineapple undrained (20 ounces)
- 2 Cups Fruity Mini Marshmallows
- 1 Cup Sour Cream
- 1 Cup Sweetened Shredded Coconut
- Extra Cool Whip optional garnish
- Lime Wedges optional garnish
- Extra Fruity Mini Marshmallows optional garnish
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the lime jello and whipped cream. Stir until no white streaks appear.
- Add the crushed pineapple, sour cream, mini marshmallows, and coconut to the bowl. Stir until fully combined.
- Serve immediately or cover and store in the fridge overnight (I prefer storing it overnight).
- Garnish, if desired, before serving. Enjoy!
Notes
Want a stronger lime flavor? Drain the crushed pineapple before adding to the bowl and add in 2 tablespoons lime juice.
If you don’t prefer sour cream, you can use cottage cheese in its place. This ingredient cannot be fully omitted without being replaced.
Allowing the fluff salad to sit overnight is my preference because it allows the salad to reach its best flavor potential. It’s still delicious if served immediately, but it’s definitely at its best after being in the fridge a few hours.
You can use regular white mini marshmallows in place of the fruity marshmallows, if need be.
Do not prepare the jello before using. You only need to use the powder.
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