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    Home » Dessert

    Lime Jello Salad Recipe with Cream Cheese

    Published on Oct 24, 2023 Modified: Oct 23, 2023 by Alexandria Drzazgowski.

    Jump to Recipe

    Lime jello salad is a holiday tradition that has stood the test of time. Make this vintage recipe to add a little sweetness to a heavy, holiday meal.

    A lime jello salad on a cake stand with lime slices garnished on top.

    Jello salad isn’t as trendy as it once was, but for many families in the United States, it’s still a time-honored tradition to have a colorful lime jello salad with cream cheese on the table.

    This jello salad recipe has been passed down for generations among my husband’s family. Growing up it was (and still is) his favorite dish at Thanksgiving and he has fond memories of sharing it with his family at holiday meals. I’m honored to get to carry on his grandmother’s classic recipe. I hope lime jello salad brings joy to your family as well!

    Many jello salad recipes call for a jello layer, followed by a top layer usually made with whipped cream or cream cheese. This creamy jello salad is even easier to put together, combining softened cream cheese with pineapple and lime gelatin. It takes just a couple of hours to come together and is a great side dish or a delicious dessert or side dish.

    Jump to:
    • Why is This Called a Salad?
    • Why Make This Recipe
    • What Do I Need to Make This Recipe
    • How to Make This Recipe
    • Variations
    • Some Variations to Try
    • Adding Whipped Cream 
    • Getting the Jello Out of the Pan
    • Expert Tips
    • FAQs
    • Lime Jello Salad Recipe with Cream Cheese

    Why is This Called a Salad?

    Jello Salad is never really a healthy, traditional salad. To be honest there is no set definition of the word “salad” and this is not the first recipe to be called by that name while containing no leafy greens at all (see also this German Potato Salad Recipe).

    Jello has often been combined with bits of carrots, pears, cherries, cottage cheese, nuts, and more. The combination of ingredients gives it a salad-like appearance. 

    Regardless of the reasoning, the name has stuck and it’s a perfect excuse to enjoy this light and fluffy jello dessert without guilt. It’s just a salad! 

    Why Make This Recipe

    1. Family Tradition: If your holiday feast doesn’t already contain some kind of jello salad, you truly don’t know what you are missing out on! The sweetness provides the perfect balance to the many savory dishes that are usually served. 
    2. Delicious: This recipe is perfect for picky eaters and it’s beloved by all!
    3. Fun: Getting to add some lime jello to your plate adds just a bit more joy to Thanksgiving! 

    What Do I Need to Make This Recipe

    Here is a visual overview of the ingredients in the recipe. Scroll down to the recipe at the bottom for quantities.

    Ingredients shown are used for a lime jello salad.
    1. Lime Jello: You can use 1 large 6 oz box or, in my case, 2 smaller 3 oz boxes if that is all your store has. 
    2. Cream Cheese: Spreadable/whipped cream cheese won’t solidify like the block will, so be sure and use a block.
    3. Crushed Pineapple: It is easiest to use the canned version. Be sure and retain the liquid in the can

    Tools: 

    1. Bundt pan, jello mold, baking pan, or casserole dish
    2. Whisk/Electric Mixer: It’s possible to make this recipe without a mixer but it will come out much smoother and be easier to put together with help from an electric mixer.

    How to Make This Recipe

    Step One: Prepare the Jello

    Boiling water in a saucepan.
    Lime jello dissolved into boiling water.

    Dissolve the jello in 2 cups of boiling water and allow it to sit for 2 minutes. 

    Step Two: Add the Mix-ins

    Cream cheese mixed into lime jello salad and crushed pineapple in a mixing bowl.

    Whisk in the cream cheese until well blended

    Mix in the undrained crushed pineapple and add ½ cup of cold water. 

    Step Three: Set

    Lime jello salad in a bundt pan, ready to refrigerate.

    Pour the jello mixture into a 9×13 dish, a jello mold, or a bundt pan. 

    Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours until set. Serve and enjoy! 

    Variations

    Matt’s family has always loved green jello salad with pineapple, but there are many different kinds of jello and it makes it easy to mix up this recipe any way you like. Try out different fruits, flavors of jello, and whipped cream along with the cream cheese.

    Some Variations to Try

    Try out any of these Jello combinations for another twist on this classic: 

    • Raspberry jello with fresh raspberries
    • Orange jello with mandarin oranges
    • Pineapple jello with pineapple or coconut
    • Strawberry jello with strawberries
    • Blue raspberry jello with blueberries
    • Cherry jello with maraschino cherries

    You could also add: Nuts, shredded coconut, white chocolate chips, or any canned fruit.

    Adding Whipped Cream 

    Matt’s family also has another variation of this recipe using whipped cream that makes this dish a bit lighter. In this case, whip ½ pint of whipping cream separately until it forms whipped cream. Then blend it with the thickened jello before placing it back on the mold. 

    This does change the texture and appearance of the Jello Salad Recipe with Cream Cheese, but it is delicious! 

    Getting the Jello Out of the Pan

    Bundt pan with lime jello salad turned upside down on a cake stand.

    Once the Lime Jello Salad has set and is ready to eat, it very easily gets stuck to the side of the bundt pan or mold. 

    To get the Jello out of the mold, fill a large bowl with warm water. Dip the bottom and sides of the pan into the water for 5-10 seconds just to warm the pan. The jello should be released from the sides. Be careful that your water is not hot water or you may melt the jello too much.

    If you accidentally melt your jello too much with this method, simply stick it back in the fridge for a few minutes until it sets, then try again! 

    Expert Tips

    Slice of lime jello salad on a plate with lime slices and pineapple chunks.
    • Don’t drain the pineapple juice! The juice is accounted for in the recipe.
    • If you have a pan that comes with a lid, use it! This is an excellent make-ahead recipe (and in fact, it must be made ahead to give it time to set) but a nice fitting lid will keep it fresh until you’re ready to enjoy it. It can be tricky to make sure plastic wrap fully covers your mold.

    FAQs

    Lime jello salad sitting on a cake stand with lime slices.
    How to Serve Cream Cheese Jello Salad?

    This jello fruit salad is often found on the holiday table or at family gatherings. Some families like to reserve it as a holiday dessert but most of the time I see it offered as a sweet side dish. Serve it with some fresh fruit and a dollop of whipped topping.

    Does Jello Salad Have Cottage Cheese?

    So many jello salads are made with cottage cheese or even mayonnaise. This dessert salad recipe is a bit safer for picky eaters with just cream cheese. If you like cottage cheese, feel free to play around with cottage cheese and let me know how it turns out! 

    Did you enjoy this Lime Jello Salad Recipe with Cream Cheese? If so, make sure to check out these other recipes I picked out just for you: 

    • Instant Pot Turkey Breast
    • Pumpkin Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
    • Homemade Creamed Corn in the Instant Pot
    • Easy Cranberry Sauce with Orange Juice
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    Lime Jello Salad on a large serving platter with lime slices in the center.

    Lime Jello Salad Recipe with Cream Cheese

    Jello salad is a holiday tradition that has stood the test of time. Make this vintage recipe to add a little sweetness to a heavy, holiday meal.
    No ratings yet
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert, Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 12 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 2 hours hours
    Servings: 8
    Calories: 197kcal
    Author: Alexandria Drzazgowski

    Equipment

    • Bundt pan, jello mold, baking pan or casserole dish
    • Whisk/Electric Mixer:

    Ingredients

    • 6 oz Lime Jello, 1 box
    • 8 oz Cream Cheese, 1 block, softened
    • 8 oz crushed pineapple, undrained
    • 2 cups boiling water
    • ½ cup cold water

    Instructions

    • Dissolve 6 oz jello in 2 cups of boiling water and allow it to sit for 2 minutes.
    • Whisk in the 8 oz cream cheese until well blended.
    • Mix in the 8 oz undrained crushed pineapple and add ½ cup of cold water.
    • Pour the mixture into a bundt pan, 9×13 dish, or a jello mold.
    • Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours until set. Serve and enjoy!

    Notes

    Copyright The Foreign Fork. For educational or personal use only.
    • Lime Jello: You can use 1 large 6 oz box or, in my case, 2 smaller 3 oz boxes if that is all your store has.
    • Cream Cheese: Spreadable/whipped cream cheese won’t solidify like the block will, so be sure and use a block.
    • Crushed Pineapple: It is easiest to use the canned version. Be sure and retain the liquid in the can
    • Don’t drain the pineapple juice! The juice is accounted for in the recipe.
    • If you have a pan that comes with a lid, use it! This is an excellent make-ahead recipe (and in fact, it must be made ahead to give it time to set) but a nice fitting lid will keep it fresh until you’re ready to enjoy it. It can be tricky to make sure plastic wrap fully covers your mold.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 197kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 29mg | Sodium: 192mg | Potassium: 74mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 23g | Vitamin A: 395IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 35mg | Iron: 0.1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @TheForeignFork or tag #TheForeignFork!

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    Comments

    1. C says

      April 10, 2025 at 12:03 pm

      My late aunt made a similar version; but, she would also add half and half. Any suggestions on how to incorporate?

      Reply
      • Alexandria Drzazgowski says

        April 12, 2025 at 11:13 pm

        You could probably replace maybe the final 1/2 cup of water with half and half?

        Reply
    2. Lor says

      April 01, 2025 at 12:55 pm

      I cannot eat any fruit. Could I drain the Pineapple, use the juice, just no pieces of Pineapple? Thank you

      Reply
      • Alexandria Drzazgowski says

        April 07, 2025 at 4:36 pm

        Hey Lor, yes that should work perfectly! Hope you enjoy the recipe 🙂

        Reply
    3. William J Gould says

      November 27, 2024 at 7:04 am

      When using a 6 cup Tupperware jello mold do you need to double the recipe?

      Reply
      • Alexandria Drzazgowski says

        December 02, 2024 at 1:44 pm

        You can but don’t have to! If you don’t, it will just be a thinner jello salad 🙂

        Reply
    4. Nancy guerrera says

      November 21, 2024 at 6:00 pm

      I made this many years ago!!!! The recipe was made with sour cream versus cream cheese.. i am sure it is great either way. Also with walnuts added in. Great recipe!!!!!!

      Reply
      • Alexandria Drzazgowski says

        November 24, 2024 at 6:01 pm

        Walnuts would be great for a texture difference! So glad you liked it 🙂

        Reply

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