Jello salads used to steal the show at every family gathering. Their bright colors and wobbly shapes made tables feel like celebrations.
Some were sweet, others savory, and all had a little magic. This list brings back the retro charm with 20 classics that are just as fun—and delicious—today.
1. Lime Jello Salad With Pineapple And Cottage Cheese
Tangy lime gelatin wraps around crushed pineapple and creamy cottage cheese in a green-tinted swirl of flavor and texture. Chopped walnuts or pecans often join the mix for crunch.
Popular in the ’60s, this salad walks the line between dessert and side dish. Chill it in a mold for full nostalgic effect.
2. Strawberry Pretzel Salad
Crispy pretzel crust, whipped topping, and strawberry Jello with sliced berries form this sweet-salty Midwestern favorite. The layers are chilled until firm.
Each bite contrasts creamy, crunchy, and fruity with a hint of salt. It’s dessert, salad, and comfort food all in one.
3. Orange Sunshine Jello Mold
Orange gelatin, mandarin oranges, and whipped cream create a citrusy treat that practically glows. It’s light, creamy, and zesty.
Sometimes marshmallows or grated carrots sneak in for extra texture. A bright pick for spring brunches or sunny buffets.
4. Cherry Cola Jello Salad
Dark cherry gelatin meets cola for a fizzy-sweet twist, often studded with chopped nuts or canned cherries. The flavor leans bold and old-school.
Served in rings or squares, it brings vintage soda-shop vibes. Unexpected, but oddly charming.
5. Ambrosia Jello Salad
Mini marshmallows, coconut flakes, pineapple chunks, and mandarin oranges combine with Jello in this dreamy tropical blend. A whipped topping layer adds extra softness.
Named for the food of the gods, it’s sweet, soft, and crowd-friendly. A staple at Southern tables for decades.
6. Seafoam Salad
Pale green, pillowy, and slightly mysterious, seafoam salad blends lime Jello with cream cheese and whipped topping. Pears or pineapple add gentle sweetness.
It’s less jiggly than most, more like a creamy mousse. A whisper of the past with a silky touch.
7. Raspberry Cranberry Jello Ring
Bold in both color and flavor, this tart combo uses raspberry gelatin, whole cranberry sauce, and sometimes apples or celery. Chopped nuts often round it out.
Served in wreath molds at holidays, it’s equal parts salad and centerpiece. A zingy match for savory dishes.
8. 7-Up Lime Jello Salad
Carbonated lemon-lime soda gives this salad a fizzy texture and a subtle citrus lift. Lime gelatin, pineapple, and marshmallows complete the playful mix.
Often poured into a bundt pan and sliced like cake. Retro refreshment with a tickle.
9. Creamy Dreamy Lemon Jello Salad
Lemon gelatin blends with evaporated milk, whipped topping, and sometimes vanilla pudding. It’s sweet, bright, and softly tangy.
Perfect served in parfait cups or molded for flair. A lemon-lover’s cloud from the fridge.
10. Layered Rainbow Jello
Multiple Jello flavors are poured in stages, creating vivid layers of color and flavor. A creamy whipped layer often separates each hue.
Time-consuming but show-stopping. Like edible stained glass, one slice sparks instant joy.
11. Pineapple Carrot Jello Mold
Orange gelatin, grated carrots, and crushed pineapple bring crunch and tang to the wiggly world. Sweet yet vegetable-laced, it’s a true vintage curveball.
Often served alongside roasts or ham. A surprising hit with texture lovers.
12. Strawberry Banana Jello Delight
Fresh banana slices are suspended in strawberry gelatin with a creamy layer on top or underneath. It’s simple, fruity, and refreshing.
Chill in glass dishes to show off the swirls. A childhood favorite that never faded.
13. Orange Fluff Salad
Whipped topping, orange Jello, and mandarin oranges are folded into a pastel-orange fluff. Sometimes cottage cheese adds creaminess.
It’s airy, sweet, and cheerful. A potluck must for generations.
14. Grape Jello Salad With Cream Cheese Topping
Deep purple grape gelatin forms the base, while a fluffy layer of whipped cream cheese sits on top. The taste is nostalgic and juicy.
Chopped nuts or marshmallows can be folded in. A little weird, a lot comforting.
15. Cranberry Orange Gelatin Mold
Zesty orange juice and tart cranberry sauce blend with raspberry or cherry gelatin. Often filled with chopped celery or nuts.
A holiday classic with bold flavors and a ruby-red glow. Sharp, sweet, and satisfyingly jiggly.
16. Peaches And Cream Jello Cups
Sliced canned peaches nestle in peach or orange gelatin with a soft whipped topping crown. Sometimes vanilla pudding is swirled in.
Best served in small cups or clear bowls. Sweet, nostalgic, and perfect for picnics.
17. Christmas Ribbon Jello Salad
Three or more colored gelatin layers—often red, green, and white—stack neatly with creamy fillings in between. It takes patience to build.
Serve chilled in slices for a festive, striped display. Holiday magic in jello form.
18. Tropical Fruit Jello Salad
A mix of canned tropical fruits—pineapple, mango, lychee—rests in citrus-flavored gelatin. Coconut flakes sometimes float in for added flair.
It’s light, juicy, and vacation-ready. Serve in hollowed-out oranges or festive molds.
19. Black Cherry Jello With Sour Cream Swirl
Rich black cherry gelatin is softened by a swirl of tangy sour cream or yogurt. The contrast is bold but beautifully balanced.
Set in molds or glass dishes for maximum swirl appeal. Deep flavor with a creamy surprise.
20. Watergate Jello Salad
Pistachio pudding mix, crushed pineapple, mini marshmallows, and whipped topping create this pastel green dream. Chopped nuts bring crunch.
Named after the infamous hotel, it’s pure retro Americana. Sweet, fluffy, and oddly irresistible.