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Cranberry Salad

A vibrant, textured fruit salad combining cranberries, pineapple, citrus, apple, pomegranate, and walnuts, finished with raspberry Jell-O for a sweet-tart flavor perfect for holidays.
Prep Time 25 minutes
Total Time 11 hours
Serving Size 8 servings

Ingredients

Fruits and Base Ingredients

  • 1 lb fresh cranberries Pick out any stems or soft berries.
  • 1 cup sugar (white granulated) Can reduce to 3/4 cup for less sweetness.
  • 20 oz can crushed pineapple, drained Reserve a tablespoon of juice for a looser set.
  • 2 small oranges, segmented and diced Navel or blood oranges both work.
  • 1 medium Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored and diced Firm texture holds up best.
  • 1 cup pomegranate arils Or substitute with seeds from 1 large pomegranate.
  • 1 cup walnuts, chopped and toasted Pecans can be substituted.
  • 3 oz box raspberry Jell-O For a gelatin-free version, use flavored agar-agar.

Instructions

Preparation

  • Rinse cranberries and pick out any stems or soft berries.
  • Place cranberries and sugar in a food processor and pulse until the berries are chopped very fine.
  • Pour the chopped cranberries into a large mixing bowl and let sit for 30 minutes.
  • While the cranberries rest, drain the crushed pineapple well, segment and dice the oranges, peel and dice the apple, and remove pomegranate arils.
  • Toast the chopped walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3–4 minutes, stirring, until fragrant; let cool.

Combining and Setting

  • Add the pineapple, oranges, apple, pomegranate arils, and cooled toasted walnuts to the cranberries and mix gently until combined.
  • Prepare the raspberry Jell-O according to package directions.
  • Pour the prepared Jell-O over the fruit mixture and stir until everything is evenly coated.
  • Cover the bowl tightly and refrigerate overnight (at least 6–8 hours) until the Jell-O is fully set.
  • Serve chilled, scooped or sliced as desired.

Notes

For a firmer set, cool the Jell-O slightly before pouring over the fruit so it begins to thicken on contact. For a softer set, use a bit less cold water when dissolving the gelatin. Serve chilled in a decorative bowl or molded ring to show off colors.