10 Retro Gelatin Salad Recipes For Your Holiday Table By Mary Shannon Wells Mary Shannon Wells Mary Shannon is a Digital Editor and has been on the Southern Living team since 2017. She helps run the brand's social media accounts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, and TikTok, where she's happily behind the scenes. When she's not ruffling feathers with an etiquette poll via Instagram Stories, she's writing content for the website and assisting in various print projects like gift guides and home stories. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on March 29, 2025 Close Credit: Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox Like many "salads" in the South, these aren't green and leafy—they come in colors not found in nature, in shapes and colors resembling fancy Easter hats, and in sizes ranging from casserole dishes to individual molds. Some gelatin salads are intricately layered, others are fluffy and scoopable. And they can qualify as a side dish or dessert—or both—which is why they're a mainstay during the holiday season in the South. Pistachio Fluff Credit: Stacy K. Allen; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely By any name, it’s an airy and nostalgia-triggering delight and an iconic American potluck classic. Served as a sweet side dish on holiday tables across the South (and beyond), this sentimental recipe is super easy to make. get the recipe Save Lime Gelatin and Cottage Cheese Salad Credit: Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox This jiggly salad has us remembering dinners and Grandma's house, and we think it's a throwback that should be brought back for good. get the recipe Save Strawberry Pretzel Jello Salad Credit: Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox If you grew up in the South, there's a good chance you remember this vintage delight. Sweet strawberry gelatin and salty pretzels meet up for the perfect bite. get the recipe Save Pineapple Fluff Credit: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless Is it a side dish or dessert? Once you taste this light and airy Pineapple Fluff, it won't matter. Made with pineapple gelatin, crushed pineapple, coconut, and macadamia nuts, it adds a retro tropical vibe to your table. get the recipe Save Tomato Aspic Credit: Southern Living There was a time when "company's coming" meant there would be a plate of tomato aspic at the ready. This savory salad is truly the epitome of congealed salad fame. get the recipe Save Watergate Salad Credit: Alison Miksch; Food Stylist: Karen Rankin; Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle Made from pistachio-flavored instant pudding mix, canned pineapples, whipped cream, mini marshmallows, and toasted nuts, the recipe for this American potluck classic traces its roots back to the mid-1970s when Jell-O first debuted its line of pistachio pudding mix. get the recipe Save Cherry Fluff Credit: Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox This simple fluff recipe only requires five ingredients so it's easy to whip together. Make sure to let the dish chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before serving to create its signature texture. get the recipe Save Molded Cranberry Salad Credit: Hector M Sanchez There won't be any canned cranberry salad at your Thanksgiving feast. This year, cranberry salad has gone retro—and jiggly. get the recipe Save Lime Cottage Cheese Jello Salad with Sour Cream Chili Sauce Dressing Credit: Southern Living Accompanied by plump, rosy shrimp and an easy-to make dipping sauce, this recipe truly has it all. Test Kitchen pro and Hey Y'all host Ivy Odom uncovered this gem from the July 1973 issue of Southern Living, and you have to watch the video of her making it. get the recipe Save Jell-O Pie Credit: FRED HARDY, FOOD STYLIST: MARGARET MONROE DICKEY, PROP STYLIST: CALEB CLARKE We know this no-bake strawberry pie isn't a salad, but we had to include it. It has a surprise inside: a layer of lemon-flavored "crumbs" made with Jell-O, lemon gelatin, flour, and melted butter. Bright yellow with an intense citrus flavor, they add the right amount texture to contrast with the silky filling. get the recipe Save Explore more: Holidays & Occasions Christmas Christmas Recipes Christmas Side Dishes Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit