Published: · Modified: by Deanne Frieders · This post may contain affiliate links · 12 Comments
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Enjoy fun and refreshing strawberry Jello with Fruit co*cktail! This no bake dessert combines the wiggly delight of Jello with the juicy sweetness of assorted fruits.
It's perfect for a summer party or even adding o a cold packed lunch.
My kids absolutely adore jello, especially when there's some fruit co*cktail or other canned fruit added into the mix. Don't even get me started about them looking for the one or two token cherries in the mix!
I grew up on recipes like this jello and fruit co*cktail, orange fluff jello salad and ambrosia salad with cool whip. It makes me happy to share these recipes that remind me of my childhood.
Jump to:
- Ingredients
- How to make Jello with fruit co*cktail
- Substitutions
- Variations
- Leftovers
- Top tip
- FAQ
- Related
- No Bake Dessert Recipes
- Main Dish Recipes
- Jello with Fruit co*cktail
Ingredients
You won't find an easier recipe than this! Only three ingredients and that's if you count water.
- flavored gelatin - best known by the brand name, Jello. I'm using a strawberry flavor but we'll talk about other flavors, too.
- canned fruit co*cktail - you'll save some of the fruit co*cktail juice to use in the recipe.
- water
See recipe card for quantities.
Tip: Throw away the jello directions (the ones on the box) before you get started. We're altering the instructions somewhat.
How to make Jello with fruit co*cktail
Grab a medium sized glass bowl or an 8x8 baking dish to make this recipe.
Empty the strawberry gelatin mix into your bowl.
Add boiling water. Stir to dissolve the jello crystals into the water. Take a whiff of it while you stir, it's like a strawberry scented facial!
Add the cold water, reserved juice, and the fruit co*cktail. Stir to combine gelatin with fruit co*cktail.
Place in the refrigerator, uncovered for five hours. Halfway through the chill time, give the jello fruit salad a stir to evenly spread the fruit.
Tip: I really love this electric tea kettle to boil the water for this recipe, as well for a cup of tea!
Substitutions
Because there are so few ingredients, there are only a few substitution ideas.
- Sugar Free - use a sugar free version of geletin
- Canned Fruit - use canned mandarin oranges, diced peaches or pears.
Variations
Fruit co*cktail in jello is easy to switch out seasonally. Here are a few ideas to vary the colors over the different holidays and seasons.
- Summertime - perfect for the 4th of July and Memorial Day, use red or blue colored jello in flavors of strawberry, cherry, or raspberry or blue raspberry.
- Halloween or autumn - use orange jello
- Spring - use lime or lemon jello
You can also stir in mini marshmallows with the fruit co*cktail, or top with cool whip or whipped cream before serving.
Leftovers
Leftover jello fruit salad will keep in the refrigerator up to a week. Cover with a lid or plastic wrap.
Top tip
Partially set the Jello and then give it a stir. This will help suspend the fruit evenly throughout the Jello and prevent it from sinking to the bottom or floating on top.
FAQ
Can I add canned fruit to jello?
Absolutely! Canned fruits like mandarin oranges, diced or sliced peaches, canned pears, canned pineapple and fruit co*cktail are easy and delicious to add to flavored gelatin.
How long does it take jello with fruit to gel?
The time to set varies on the brand of jello you use, the temperature of your water and your desired consistency. When adding fruit co*cktail to the jello, I found the ideal timeframe to be about five hours.
Can I use fresh fruit?
Yes and no! Fresh fruits like strawberries, blueberries, bananas, kiwis, or peaches are great additions.
Other fruits have enzymes in them that make them unsuitable for adding to jello. Avoid using fresh pineapple or kiwi as they won't allow the gelatin to properly firm up.
If you make this jello with fruit co*cktail, leave a recipe review or comment below. I'd love to hear from you!
Looking for other dessert recipes like this? Try these:
No Bake Dessert Recipes
- Easy Peppermint Fudge
- Smore Rice Krispie Treats
- Pumpkin Lush Dessert
- Chocolate Covered Apple Slices
Main Dish Recipes
- Mediterranean Chicken Wraps with Pesto
- Chile Rellenos Casserole
- Reuben Casserole
- Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms
Jello with Fruit co*cktail
Deanne Frieders
Enjoy fun and refreshing strawberry Jello with Fruit co*cktail! This no bake dessert combines the wiggly delight of Jello with the juicy sweetness of assorted fruits.
4.67 from 18 votes
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Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Chill Time 5 hours hrs
Total Time 5 hours hrs 5 minutes mins
Course No Bake Dessert Recipes
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings
Calories 74 kcal
Ingredients
- 3 ounce package of flavored gelatin I used red/strawberry Jello
- 15 ounce can fruit co*cktail ¼ cup juice reserved
- 1 cup hot water
- ½ cup cold water
Instructions
Add Jello (or other brand flavored gelatin mix) to a 4 cup bowl or dish.
Add one cup boiling water. Use a spoon to stir the mixtures and disolve the crystals, about 1-2 minutes.
Add the cold water, ¼ cup reserved fruit co*cktail juice, and drained fruit co*cktail. Stir to combine.
Place, uncovered, in the refrigerator for 5 hours, stirring after about 3 hours to evenly disperse the fruit.
Once the jello is set, you can serve using a large serving spoon.
Notes
Storage: Refrigerate leftovers for up to a week.
Tip: Make sure your jello is on a level spot in the fridge as it sets up.
Variations: Use sugar free gelatin, or other flavors of jello to mix it up for occasions. Use different types of canned fruit such as mandarin oranges, pineapple, canned peaches or other varieties.
Nutrition
Serving: 1gCalories: 74kcalCarbohydrates: 10gProtein: 9gSodium: 26mgFiber: 1gSugar: 10g
This Farm Girl Cooks is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
Tried this recipe?Mention @ThisFarmGirlCooks or tag #thisfarmgirlcooks!
More No Bake Dessert Recipes
- Easy Marshmallow Fluff Fruit Dip
- Easy Oreo Fluff Recipe
- Ambrosia Salad with Cool Whip
- Chocolate Covered Dates with Peanut Butter
Reader Interactions
Comments
Kim
Hello So it’s only 1 3 oz Packet of Jello for 1 can of Fruit? Thanks
Reply
Jo
Thank you for sharing. Brings me back to making it with my mother who passed away when I was 15. It's all about the memories! At 54, life is good!Reply
Deanne Frieders
Life IS good! Thanks for stopping by Jo.
Reply
Mindy
Is it 1/4 cup juice for 1, 2 and 3 sizes? It lists 1/4 cup juice for all.
Reply
Deanne Frieders
You'll need 1/4 cup from the can of fruit co*cktail.
Reply
Neil F.
If you REALLY want a vintage version of this recipe, stir in about ½ c. mini marshmallows and a dozen (or so) ⅛-inch slices of fresh banana in addition to the fruit co*cktail..!Reply
Deanne Frieders
Fun!
Reply
Helen Hallman
One Of Our Favs /Thanks For Sharing May God Continue To Bless All Of You llll
Reply
Deni
Small or large Jello? Thanks.
Reply
MaryMargaret Wood
I don't see a reply here, so, if you haven't already figured it out, the recipe calls for a 3 oz pkg, which is the small one. The Family Size is a 6 oz. box.Reply
Deanne Frieders
Thank you!
Reply
Elsa Solomon
hello. if I use sugar free jello... what size box and are the water and juice ratios the same?
Reply
