This Strawberry Jello Salad with Cool Whip is the perfect kid-friendly side dish for your next holiday gathering or weeknight dinner!
*Originally posted 10/23. Updated 10/24.*
Hi friends!
Allow me to introduce my Grandma’s jello. Growing up, my grandparents always came to our house for Thanksgiving, and my Grandma always made this jello.
It was quite literally the only thing I ate for Thanksgiving dinner, besides dinner rolls with butter, for the first 20+ years of my life. I’ve never met a kid who didn’t like it…and all you need are three ingredients!
Why Jello and Cool Whip with strawberries?
I can’t explain exactly what makes this better than regular jello other than the fact that it’s fruity, fluffy and fun to eat!
We always use strawberry jello, but you could make it with any flavor.
What’s the easiest strawberry jello salad recipe for beginners (a quick strawberry cool whip recipe kids will love?)
This one! It honestly couldn’t be easier. Here’s what you need:
Jello Salad with Cool Whip Ingredients
All you need for this recipe is:
- Jello
- Cool whip
- Sliced strawberries
That’s it! Just make the jello, blend in some Cool Whip, stir in the strawberries, and voila!
Can you make this jello with frozen strawberries?
Yes! If you’re eating right away, thaw the strawberries in the fridge before mixing them in. If you have some time, you can just mix them in frozen and they’ll thaw.
Can I substitute fresh fruit in strawberry jello for frozen berries?
Feel free to use fresh strawberries in this recipe if you prefer. Just wash and slice before adding to the jello and cool whip mixture.
What’s the quickest method for making an easy jello salad?
You’ll definitely want a hand mixer for this recipe. It’s the easiest way to blend the jello with the cool whip once it has set and make it nice and fluffy!
Strawberry Jello Salad Recipe
Here’s the recipe:
PrintStrawberry Jello Salad with Cool Whip
This Strawberry Jello Salad with Cool Whip is the perfect kid-friendly side dish for your next holiday gathering or weeknight dinner!
Ingredients
- 6 oz box strawberry jello
- 4 oz of Cool Whip (approx half an 8 oz tub)
- 2 cups sliced strawberries (fresh or frozen)
Instructions
- Place jello powder in a bowl and add 2 cups boiling water and stir until powder dissolved.
- Add 2 cups of cold water and stir to combine.
- Refrigerate at least 4 hours.
- Let cool whip thaw on the counter for 10-15 minutes.
- Using a hand mixer, beat cool whip into the bowl of jello until well mixed. Feel free to add cool whip slowly. You may decide you don’t want to use the full 4 ounces.
- Stir in sliced strawberries.
- Store extras in the fridge for 3-4. It will get a bit more watery the longer it sits.
Notes
Look for sliced strawberries without added sugar!
Strawberry Jello Salad FAQs
Can I try this strawberry jello dessert recipe with whipped cream?
I have not tried it myself so I’m not sure how it would hold up. My guess would be it would be fine if you were serving it right away but I’m not sure how well it would hold up in the fridge.
Are there any whip cream jello recipes?
If you’re looking to use whipped cream, try:
How long does strawberry jello salad last in the refrigerator?
Keep the leftovers in the refrigerator for up to a week.
What are some variations of a classic jello strawberry salad recipe?
For a fun twist you could try using a different fruit besides strawberries to mix in – try raspberries or mandarin oranges to change things up!
Can I mix Jello with fruit cocktail and cool whip for a unique twist?
Yes! Canned fruit cocktail would make a great addition to several flavors of jello in a salad like this.
How can I make a whip Jello dessert with different fruit flavors?
You can make this recipe with any flavor of jello! Try orange Jello with mandarin oranges mixed in, cherry Jello with fruit cocktail, raspberry or lemon Jello with raspberries, grape Jello with blackberries and more! The possibilities are endless.
Can I make a strawberry jello fruit salad without using dairy products?
I haven’t tried myself, but there are some vegan cool whip options including Cocowhip and vegan Truwhip. My hunch is this would work well if serving right away but I’m not sure how well it would hold up in the fridge for leftovers.
What are some other creative strawberry jello dessert ideas / desserts with strawberry jello?
What about other Jello recipes with Cool Whip?
If you’re looking for more recipes using Jello and Cool Whip, try:
- Jello Magic Mousse
- Easy Jello Pie
- Raspberry Jello Salad
- Cottage Cheese Jello Salad
- Strawberry Jello Fluff Salad
I need more recipes with jello!
Check out these 36 Old-School Jello Recipes.
Cool Whip and Jello with Strawberries Recipe
Need more Thanksgiving recipes to go with this jello salad? Try:
Sausage and Wild Rice Stuffing
This Sausage and Wild Rice Stuffing makes the perfect holiday side dish but is also hearty enough to enjoy as a meal on its own.
Leftover Turkey and White Bean Soup
This Leftover Turkey and White Bean Soup is perfect for transforming holiday leftovers into a new meal. Or make it with chicken any time of year!
Sweet Potato Apple Cranberry Crumble
This Sweet Potato Apple Cranberry Crumble is the perfect addition to your holiday dinner. Make it for a quick and easy Thanksgiving side dish or pop it in the oven while eating and serve it with ice cream for dessert!
Cranberry Corn Muffins
These Cranberry Corn Muffins are lightly sweetened and bursting with tart fresh cranberries. They make the perfect dinner side dish. Serve them with a hearty chili or make a batch for your holiday dinner.
Fresh Cranberry Sauce
This fresh homemade cranberry sauce is an easy and delicious way to add some fresh fall flavor to your meals! Make it for Thanksgiving and use the leftovers as a topping for waffles, oatmeal and sandwiches.
Enjoy!
–Lindsay–
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Looks Great & looks easy to make
I do not recommend this recipe unless you want a soupy strawberry jello salad. This recipe calls for too much cold water. I found my mom’s recipe after making this and realized I should have only added 3/4 cup cold water. A soupy mistake. Lesson learned!
Sorry to hear you didn’t like it! You can try adding less water or you could also try adding less cool whip next time!