Cranberry salad is one of those special dishes that most of us probably don't eat a lot throughout the year. But it is so refreshingly delicious! And I sure would miss not having Amish cranberry salad with my Thanksgiving dinner.
This recipe for cranberry salad made with fresh cranberries, chopped apples, pineapples, and jello is by far the best cranberry salad I have ever tasted. It has the perfect balance of sweet and tart with incredible flavor and textures.
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Ingredients
- Fresh Cranberries are the star of the dish. They add a tart and tangy flavor to the salad, balancing the sweetness of other ingredients and providing a bright, refreshing contrast.
- Apples add sweetness, texture, and nutrition.
- Boiling Water is used to dissolve the jello and sugar.
- Strawberry Jello adds fruity flavor and color. It also helps thicken the salad and gives it a gelatinous consistency that holds it together well.
- Sugar adds sweetness, balancing the tartness of the cranberries and creating a more palatable flavor.
- Unflavored Gelatin helps it to thicken and set properly.
- Cold Water serves primarily to dissolve the unflavored gelatin and to dilute the gelatin mixture, adjusting its consistency to achieve the desired texture for the cranberry salad.
- Crushed Pineapple adds texture and sweetness, complementing the tartness of the cranberries and enhancing its fruity flavor.
- Chopped Pecans (optional) add crunch and nutty flavor. I prefer mine without nuts, so I don't typically add these.
How to Make Cranberry Salad with Fresh Cranberries
Making Amish Cranberry Salad requires some chopping, But it does not actually take very long and is easy if you have a handy little chopper.
I love my Ninja chopper (affiliate link) and use it all the time.
Chop the apples and fresh cranberries, leaving little chunks. I usually do this in my chopper in several batches, with just a few quick pulses.
Dissolve the jello in boiling water, and dissolve the unflavored gelatin in cold water. Mix everything together and refrigerate overnight to allow the jello to set. Stir before serving.
Cranberry Apple Pineapple Jello Salad
This delicious Amish cranberry salad is packed full of apples and fresh cranberries, along with jello and pineapples. It is quite yummy all by itself, or as a side with the turkey and dressing for your Thanksgiving feast.
As a teenager, I worked in the kitchen at our local grocery store. A whole group of Amish and Mennonite girls ran that place, and we made all the delicious homemade soups and salads for the deli.
We sold an enormous amount of cranberry salad and potato filling over the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. And I used to think that a small batch of cranberry salad was too time-consuming and difficult to bother making. So we often just bought a quart of it from the deli.
But after I moved away and no longer had access to that deli, I started making my own. And I figured out that it really does not take long to make this Amish cranberry salad. And it is so totally worth it!
I make it every year once the cranberries are in season, and my kids always get excited about this cranberry pineapple jello salad. Thanksgiving dinner would not be complete without it!
Thanksgiving Side Dish
Recently I saw a post on Facebook asking, "What is your favorite Thanksgiving side dish?" I honestly could not answer that question. Because I love all the sides: the stuffing, sweet potatoes, cranberry salad, etc.
They all go together so well with the turkey and mashed potatoes, and I am not willing to give up any one of them. I didn't mention the coleslaw, green beans, and buns, and I could give up these. But please give me some delicious homemade cranberry salad with my turkey.
I guess I have at least three favorite Thanksgiving sides, and cranberry jello salad is definitely one of them. Especially this apple cranberry salad. It is amazing!
Do Amish Celebrate Thanksgiving?
I honestly do not have many memories of Thanksgiving as a child. I know we got together with extended family for Christmas.
But what did we do for an Amish Thanksgiving? I'm not sure. But I do know that this is the wedding season for the Old Order Amish. (Most of my extended family is with the Old Order Amish.)
So some of the Amish families will be attending a wedding on Thanksgiving Day. And if they don't have a wedding that day, they may just feel like staying at home to relax.
So, I don't think that all of the Amish celebrate Thanksgiving in the traditional American style. But they do recognize Thanksgiving as a holiday and a day to give thanks for all their blessings.
Christmas Cranberry Salad
This recipe can also be called "Christmas cranberry salad". Not only does Amish cranberry salad go great with the turkey and stuffing for Thanksgiving, but it also pairs perfectly with a ham dinner for Christmas.
I hope you enjoy this Amish cranberry salad recipe with fresh cranberries as much as we do. If you get to try it, I would love it if you left a comment and star rating below. Thank you!
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Amish Cranberry Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 qt. fresh cranberries
- 6 apples I often use gala, and only peel half of them
- 2 c. boiling water
- 1 c. strawberry gelatin
- 1 - 1 ¼ c. sugar
- 1 tsp. unflavored gelatin
- 2 c. cold water I add the pineapple juice to make the 2 c.
- 1 c. crushed pineapple
- ¼ c. chopped pecans, optional
Instructions
- Chop cranberries. I use my small Ninja chopper, and I have to do it in several batches. Just pulse it a few times, leaving little chunks remaining, so they aren't complete mush. Pour into a large bowl.1 qt. fresh cranberries
- Core apples and peel half of them. Cut into chunks small enough to fit into your chopper and chop, leaving little chunks. Add to cranberries.6 apples
- Meanwhile heat your water to boiling. Add strawberry gelatin and sugar and stir to dissolve.1 c. strawberry gelatin, 2 c. boiling water, 1 - 1 ¼ c. sugar
- Sprinkle the unflavored gelatin over the cold water/pineapple juice. Stir and let it rest for a few minutes. Add to strawberry gelatin mixture and stir to mix.1 tsp. unflavored gelatin, 2 c. cold water
- Pour the gelatin mixture, along with the pineapple, into the bowl with the apples and cranberries and stir to mix.1 c. crushed pineapple
- Add nuts , if desired.¼ c. chopped pecans, optional
- Cover and refrigerate for several hours or overnight, allowing the gelatin to set.
- Stir it before dishing it into a serving bowl, as the fruit tends to rise to the top.
- Store in the refrigerator for up to a week.
William Brown
I have taken this dish to church and shared with friends. So many people have asked for the recipe. It gets rave reviews! I'm having it with ham steak for dinner tonight.
Anna
Thank you for taking the time to leave a positive review! I appreciate you!
Wanda
This recipe is awesome! I made it for a church function and everyone raved over it!
Anna
Awesome, so glad it was enjoyed by all!
Anna
The best cranberry salad!!
Lois Hart
I grew up in a small town in eastern Ohio. There are several Amish families there, as well as Quakers , my heritage. My grandma and mother always made a very similar recipe every Thanksgiving and Christmas, so I carry on the tradition. We always chop in a food processor a bag and half of fresh cranberries, I cored apple unpeeled, 1 orange seeded with rind on, 2 teaspoons lemon juice. Add the sugar, mix, refrigerate overnight. The next day make the Jello - 1 box cherry, 1 box lemon, use drained pineapple juice to make up part of the desired liquid required. Let Jello partially set , stir in the crushed pineapple, chopped celery, fruit mixture, and chopped walnuts. Refrigerate overnight.
Yum!!
Anna
Sounds yummy!
Maria
When it calls for 1 c. of strawberry gelatin, is that the same as 1 box of Strawberry Jello?
Anna
No, it literally means 1 cup. Amish bulk food stores sell gelatin/jello in bulk, so it would be measured out by the cup. You'll need more than a 6 oz. box.
Terri
Do you drain the pineapple?
Anna
Good question. It's been a while since I made this, so I'm trying to remember if I drain the juice. I do mention about adding the juice to the amount of water, so I think I usually drain the pineapple. However it sets up pretty thick, so I can't imagine that the little bit of juice with the pineapple would even matter.
Misty
I love this recipe! It is so refreshing and fresh tasting. I was wondering if there is anyway to freeze the leftovers?
Anna
I have frozen leftovers before, thawed in fridge, and it came out great.
Janet
Can’t wait to make. Thanks so much
Janet Stewart
Anna
You're welcome!
simrick
Do you cook the fresh cranberries first, until they pop?
Anna
No, the cranberries are raw.
Donna Ferguson
This recipe sounds so good and fresh
Anna
We love it!
Misty
I love this recipe but it makes so much I can never get it all ate in a week. Can it be froze.
Anna
I have frozen it before and it came out great. Thaw in the refrigerator.