Lime Jello Salad with Cream Cheese
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Lime jello salad is the ultimate holiday side dish or potluck recipe! Made with crushed pineapple, marshmallows, and cream cheese, this light and refreshing fruit salad is sure to be a hit at your next gathering.
For more delicious dessert ideas like this jello fruit salad, check out our simple recipes for Strawberry Fluff and Cranberry Jello!
Jello salad is typically served as a classic side dish or dessert and best when served chilled. Growing up, my mother offered not one, but two jello desserts at virtually every holiday dinner. (Have to have options of course!) It truly is one of our family favorites and stands the test of time.
While technically it can be a dessert, we always had it as a family dinner side dish. This isn’t uncommon in the Minnesota. I grew up with favorites like cookie salad with fudge striped cookies at holiday potlucks!
The best part about jello salad is relatively easy to make. It typically requires just a few ingredients and steps and this lime jello recipe is no exception.
Lime jello works well for virtually any holiday or celebration. This vintage recipe is special, like turkey neck gravy or Watergate Salad because it is just like Grandma used to make.
Green jello salad works perfect for Grinch Jello at Christmas or as a green dessert for St. Patrick’s Day. But you can just as easily serve it as a side dish at Thanksgiving or Easter dinner because what holiday dinner is complete without jello? But it isn’t just for special occasions. Need a refreshing summer salad for your next potluck? This lime jello with cream cheese and pineapple is the recipe you need to try!
Lime Jello Salad with Pineapple Ingredients
It’s a huge win that I can eat something sweet for dinner that feels like dessert but is socially acceptable. I just love the fluffy texture! You only need four ingredients for this vintage jello so it is quick and easy to prepare! While the whipped topping and maraschino cherries aren’t required, I do think they add a lot of flavor and make a great garnish.
- lime jello: regular lime jell-o gelatin was used for this recipe but you can substitute sugar-free jello
- cream cheese: one brick, softened is all you need.
- crushed pineapple: canned pineapple tidbits or junks can be substituted but do not use fresh pineapple in jello salads or it will not set properly
- mini marshmallows: a favorite in any jello salad recipe, but can be omitted if preferred
- COOL WHIP whipped topping or whipped cream (optional): used for garnish but adds flavor and texture
- maraschino cherries (optional): a pop of color and adds flavor to vintage jello salads
How to Make Lime Jello Salad
To make this lime jello salad with cream cheese, you’ll want to begin by boiling your water and draining your canned pineapple well.
In a large bowl, add lime jello and cream cheese. Pour boiling water over the top. Whisk together until dissolved, about two minutes. The hot water will mostly break down the cream cheese.
Stir in cold water, pineapple and marshmallows into your gelatin mixture.
Transfer jello mixture to large serving bowl or divide evenly into 10 small dishes. I used 6 oz glass dishes. The exact number will depend upon the size of your glass dish and how much you fill them. Aim for at least 2/3 of the way full. Cooking spray is not necessary for this recipe, unless you plan to use a jello mold.
Cover your pineapple lime jello salad with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator until firm, around 4 hours. This time may be less, depending upon the size of your dish.
Quick Tip: When serving jello in glass dishes, place the dishes on a baking tray with sides to make it easier to transfer in and out of the refrigerator.
Before serving, top with whipped topping or whipped cream and maraschino cherries, if desired. If you are serving this dessert salad for a particular birthday or party theme, you can add sprinkles that fit the color theme.
I just love how the sweetness of the pineapple really adds to this creamy lime gelatin.
Jello Salad FAQ
Skip the marshmallows? Add more marshmallows? Sure! If you aren’t a fan of marshmallows in jello or you just don’t have any, no problem. You can skip them. Want more? You can add another cup if you just love a jello marshmallow salad.
Jello Flavor: It doesn’t matter what flavor of Jello you choose. While this recipe was designed with lime jello, you can use whatever flavor you like best or have on hand.
Fruit Options: Crushed pineapple works with any flavor of Jello. But you could switch out a smaller can of crushed pineapple and add a small can of drained mandarin orange. You can also use pineapple tidbits or pineapple chunks, although it will slightly change the texture. A can of fruit cocktail also works well for this recipe.
Lime Jello Salad
Ingredients
- 1 box 6 oz lime jello
- 1 brick 8 oz ream cheese, softened
- 2 cups boiling water
- 1 1/2 cups cold water
- 1 can 20 oz. crushed pineapple, well drained
- 1 cup mini marshmallows
- 1 1/2 cups COOL WHIP whipped topping or whipped cream
- 10 maraschino cherries rinsed and patted dry (optional)
Instructions
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In a large bowl, add lime jello and cream cheese.
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Pour boiling water over the top. Whisk together until mostly dissolved.
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Stir in cold water, pineapple and marshmallows.
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Transfer to large serving bowl or divide evenly into 10 small dishes. (I used 6 oz glass dishes)
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Place in the refrigerator until firm, around 4 hours.Before serving, top with whipped topping or whipped cream and maraschino cherries, if desired.
Recipe Notes
You can use any flavor of Jello for this recipe.
If you prefer to have more marshmallows, you can add up to an additional cup or you can exclude them entirely.
It may take less time for jello to get firm, depending upon the size of the dish used.
Store covered in the refrigerator up to 5 days.
More Jello Recipes
If you just can’t get enough jello recipes like this easy lime jello salad (and who can blame you), here are some more great options to add to your family gatherings or holiday meals:
- Lemon Poke Cake: This poke cake features a white cake with lemon jello and lemon pie filling. If you love lemon desserts, you’ll love this moist cake recipe!
- Orange Fluff: A fluff recipe without cottage cheese is quick and easy to whip up anytime. If you are short on time, this jello recipe is a great option because it is ready to serve in just an hour!
- Layered Strawberry Jello Cups: This strawberry dessert is so pretty! It is time consuming though to layer jello, so keep that in mind when planning.
- Mom’s Christmas Jello Balls: Have you ever seen anything like this? I haven’t but I’m intrigued by these easy no-bake cookies. I’ve made jello cookies before but not this style!
- Jello Marshmallow Candy: These colorful candies are jiggly and fun! Choose jello flavors that fit any holiday or party theme!
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When i added the boiling water and whisked the jello and cream cheese together, the cream cheese made lots of little white balls. I whisked again when added cold water but still lots of little white balls of cream cheese..maybe it should’ve been mixed with a mixer?
Thanks for reaching out! Yes, there will be some small white balls from the cream cheese. How much you softened your cream cheese will definitely make a difference in the size. I had very, very small white flecks in mine when whisking and when it firmed up in the fridge they were barely noticeable. Won’t affect the taste, but I can see how it would be a bit less aesthetically pleasing. I agree that if you mix it with mixer until creamy that would be a good solution. Thanks for trying the recipe, Deedee!