This delightful and refreshing Easy Mandarin Orange Jello Salad is a sweet and tangy dish perfect for holidays, BBQs, and potlucks. With its bright citrus flavor and light, fluffy texture, it’s sure to be a crowd favorite at any gathering.
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Growing up my mom would make this every holiday. It is such a delicious jello salad that I am happy to bring to holiday dinners and parties now that I am all grown up.
Make sure to check out my easy Christmas Recipes, delicious Thanksgiving recipes, and these fun Easter Recipes!
Why This Recipe Works
- 5 Ingredients- this dish is simple and delicious!
- It's a classic! So many people have fond memories of this dish and now you can make it too!
- Make ahead- This dish is great made a day or two before so it's great for holidays and parties!
- Versatile- switch up the jello and fruits for fun new combos!
I’ve shared a few of my mom’s recipes in the past (like these easy deviled eggs recipe, cinnamon pull-apart bread and this cranberry relish) and they are always a hit! I couldn’t wait to share this treasured family recipe too!
What Goes Into This Recipe
- Cottage Cheese- I like to use small curd Daisey brand but use what ever you prefer.
- Canned Mandarin Oranges- you can use mandarin fruit cups too!
- Canned Crushed Pineapple- You can also dice up pineapple tidbits.
- Orange Gelatin- Name brand Jello or any brand you prefer works!
- Frozen Whipped Topping- we tend to use cool whip but any brand works
How to Make Easy Mandarin Orange Jello Salad
- Step 1: Drain the mandarin oranges and crushed pineapple. Mix fruit with gelatin powder.
- Step 2: Fold in the cottage cheese.
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- Step 3: Fold in the cool whip to keep volume in the salad.
- Step 4: Cover and refrigerate 4-6 hours or overnight.
Expert Tips
- Try to squeeze out any excess liquid from the crushed pineapple. This will make for better consistency overall.
- Make this mandarin orange salad the day before. Letting all those flavors come together overnight makes it even tastier!
Variations and Substitutions
Jello- I know this is called orange jello salad because of the orange jello but lime, strawberry, or even raspberry jello would be tasty!
Fruit- swapping out the mandarins and pineapple for other fruit like strawberries or pears might be tasty!
Low Calorie- Using low calorie/fat cottage cheese, fat free cool whip, and sugar free jello is a great way to lighten the calorie load. Just keep in mind low fat cottage cheese tends to be waterier and might affect the overall consistency of the jello salad.
Frequently Asked Questions
Store orange jello salad in an air-tight container in the refrigerator.
This orange jello salad will last 3-4 days. It might start to separate the longer it sits and need to be stirred to reincorporate everything.
No. Whipped cream will fall flat and isn't as stable and thick as cool whip.
More Related Recipes
If you like this recipe, make sure to check out my strawberry fruit dip, Red White and Blue Cheesecake salad, carrot cake cookies, buffalo chicken dip, smoked deviled eggs, and this green bean casserole- all perfect for the holidays or potlucks!
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Video
Easy Mandarin Orange Jello Salad
Ingredients
- 2 cups cottage cheese
- 8 oz mandarin oranges drained
- 8 oz crushed pineapple or tidbits*
- 3 oz orange Jello powder
- 8 oz cool whip thawed
Instructions
- Drain mandarins and pineapples. I recommend trying to squeeze excess juice from the pineapple.
- In a large bowl combine mandarins, crushed pineapple and orange Jello powder.8 oz mandarin oranges, 3 oz orange Jello, 8 oz crushed pineapple
- Fold in cottage cheese until everything is orange.2 cups cottage cheese
- Fold in cool whip.8 oz cool whip
- Let sit overnight if possible or at least 4-6 hrs., best to make day before
Notes
- Mandarin Oranges: If you can't find canned use cups of mandarin oranges!
- Pineapple: If you can't find crushed canned pineapple you can use canned pineapple tidbits. Just coarsely chop/crush them before mixing them in.
- Leftovers: Eat leftovers within 4 days, you might need to stir leftovers if there is separation.
- Make Ahead: Make this dish up to 4 days ahead of time!
Lisa says
Love this! We make it for every holiday!