10 Retro Gelatin Salad Recipes For Your Holiday Table

Lime Gelatin and Cottage Cheese Salad
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

Southern Living Pistachio Fluff in a bowl to serve with two servings scooped out nearby
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.

Lime Gelatin and Cottage Cheese Salad

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.

Strawberry Pretzel Jello Salad

Strawberry-Pretzel Jello Salad in a red dish with strawberry linen
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.

Pineapple Fluff

Southern Living Pineapple Fluff in a bowl to serve
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.

Tomato Aspic

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.

Watergate Salad

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. 

Cherry Fluff

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.

Molded Cranberry Salad

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.

Lime Cottage Cheese Jello Salad with Sour Cream Chili Sauce Dressing

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.

Jell-O Pie

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.

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