This delicious Mandarin Orange Jello Salad comes together in about 30 minutes and only requires a little mixing for a easy side dish that your family will love! Whether you’re prepping for a special occasion or just want to add a refreshing option to your weeknight dinner, this salad is a total crowd-pleaser. You can even switch up the mix-ins to suit your taste or use it as a ‘clean out the fridge’ meal, so versatile, right?
Ingredients You’ll Need
To whip up this tasty Mandarin Orange Jello Salad, here’s what you’ll need:
- 6-ounce package orange gelatin: This gives our salad that beautiful, vibrant color and sweet orange flavor.
- 2 3-ounce packages vanilla cook and serve pudding mix: This adds a lovely creaminess to the Jello that takes it from ordinary to extraordinary!
- 4 cups hot water: We need this to dissolve the gelatin and pudding.
- 8 ounces Cool Whip: Because what’s a Jello salad without a fluffy, dreamy topping?
- 16-ounce can mandarin oranges (drained): These juicy slices are the stars of the dish, providing bursts of citrus goodness.
Substitutions and Add-Ins
- Fruit: Feel free to swap in whatever fruits you have on hand, pears, peaches, or even cherries would work wonderfully!
- Pudding Flavor: You can experiment with different pudding flavors like chocolate or butterscotch if you’re feeling adventurous.
- Whipped Topping: If you’re looking for a lighter alternative, Greek yogurt makes for a great substitute that adds a bit of tang!
Let’s Get Cooking!
Now, let’s dive into how to make this easy Mandarin Orange Jello Salad.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Mix It Up: In a large saucepan, combine the orange Jello and vanilla pudding mix. Then, whisk in 4 cups of hot water. Keep stirring until everything is well mixed and dissolved.
Bring It to a Boil: Place the saucepan on medium heat, bringing the mixture to a boil while stirring frequently. This usually takes about 5 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when it turns a clear orange color, so pretty!
Chill Out: Once it’s boiled, remove it from heat and pour it into a large bowl. Cover it, and let it chill overnight in the refrigerator. Alternatively, if you’re in a hurry, you can let it set in the fridge for about 4 hours until it’s firm.
Create the Dreamy Mixture: Once the Jello has set, it’s time for the fun part! In a separate bowl, gently combine the Cool Whip with the Jello mixture. A potato masher works wonders for blending everything together smoothly. This is where it gets creamy, and oh my goodness, the smell is heavenly!
Add in the Oranges: Gently fold in the drained mandarin oranges. Be gentle here, you want to keep those little citrus bursts intact!
Chill Again: Pop the salad back in the fridge until you’re ready to serve it. It’s best after a couple of hours when it’s nice and cold!
The Magic of Assembly
This Jello salad is not only incredibly easy but also an absolute joy to eat! When you take that first scoop, you’ll get a mix of creamy, fruity, and oh-so-refreshing flavors. Perfect for a barbecue, holiday gatherings, or even just as a light dessert after a hearty meal!
Why I Love This Recipe
This Mandarin Orange Jello Salad is definitely my go-to recipe when I’m looking to please a crowd! Seriously, every time I make it, it disappears in minutes. I’m a real sucker for anything that showcases juicy fruit, and the creaminess of the pudding mixed with the orange jello? Well, it’s just brilliant!
The best part is its versatility; you can use whatever you’ve got on hand. So, if you find yourself with some leftover fruit or different flavorings in your pantry, you can totally adapt this recipe to suit your tastes. Trust me, your family, and your taste buds, will thank you!
If you loved this Mandarin Orange Jello Salad, be sure to check out my Gelatin Diet, my Lemon Parmesan Salad, or my Pepperoni Pizza Rolls! They are all perfect for any gathering, and you can find links to each recipe on my blog!
What Makes This Recipe Special
Quick & Easy
This salad comes together in under 30 minutes! With minimal cooking involved, it’s a great way to spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying with your family.
Make-Ahead Friendly
You can prepare it ahead of time, making it perfect for meal prep. This is especially handy for potlucks or family gatherings when you want something delicious that can be made in advance.
Customizable
I love that this recipe is so flexible. Use whatever ingredients you have! Whether it’s different fruits or flavors of pudding, every variation can turn out amazing.
Light and Fresh
This Jello salad is light and refreshing, perfect for warmer days or celebratory occasions. It’s a cool treat that feels like summer, and it always puts a smile on everyone’s face!
Crowd-Pleaser
This is a total crowd-pleaser! Everyone from kids to adults just loves the blend of sweetness and creaminess. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen it disappear from the buffet table, fast!
Serving Suggestions and Storage Tips
How to Serve This Salad
This Jello salad is perfect on its own, but you can also serve it alongside grilled chicken or seafood for a delightful summer meal. It also pairs wonderfully with picnic fare like sliders or finger sandwiches.
Storage Tips
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It keeps well for about 3 to 5 days. Just be sure to give it a good stir before serving again, as some settling may occur.
Best Reheating Method
Although you typically wouldn’t ‘reheat’ a Jello salad, if it happens to be a bit firmer than you like after chilling, just let it sit at room temperature for about 10-15 minutes before serving.
Freezer Friendly?
I wouldn’t recommend freezing this salad as the texture of the Jello will change and may become watery after thawing.
This Mandarin Orange Jello Salad is a wonderful addition to any table and always makes my heart a little happier seeing the smiles it brings! Give this recipe a try, and I’m sure you’ll find it quickly becomes a favorite in your house too.
Food is really about bringing people together, you know? This salad is not just refreshing; it also creates memories around the dinner table. So gather your loved ones, mix up a batch, and enjoy!
Happy cooking, friends! For more Recipes Follow Us in our Pinterest.
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Mandarin Orange Jello Salad
- Total Time: 450 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A quick and easy Mandarin Orange Jello Salad that’s perfect for any gathering and can be customized with various fruits and flavors.
Ingredients
- 1 (6-ounce) package orange gelatin
- 2 (3-ounce) packages vanilla cook and serve pudding mix
- 4 cups hot water
- 8 ounces Cool Whip
- 1 (16-ounce) can mandarin oranges, drained
Instructions
- In a large saucepan, combine the orange Jello and vanilla pudding mix. Whisk in 4 cups of hot water until well mixed and dissolved.
- Place the saucepan on medium heat, bringing the mixture to a boil while stirring frequently (about 5 minutes).
- Once boiled, remove from heat and pour into a large bowl. Cover and let chill overnight in the refrigerator or about 4 hours until set.
- In a separate bowl, gently combine the Cool Whip with the Jello mixture using a potato masher.
- Fold in the drained mandarin oranges gently to keep them intact.
- Chill the salad in the fridge until ready to serve.
Notes
This salad can be customized with different fruits and pudding flavors as per your preference. It’s best served chilled and can be made ahead of time.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Chilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
