Green Jello Salad

This vintage Green Jello Salad is a holiday and potluck hit! With only 6 simple ingredients and bright, fresh flavors, it's the perfect springtime salad, dessert, or appetizer! Each bite is filled with pillow soft marshmallows, a zing of lime flavor, and creaminess of cool whip and cream cheese.

Light, fresh, and full of bright flavors, this "salad" is one of my favorite side dishes to make for holidays and family get-togethers. It's simple to make with 6 ingredients and a recipe you can make ahead of time for an event for easier entertaining.

My grandmother has made this sweet salad my entire life. Any holiday table isn't complete until it arrives. The original recipe was given to her by a co-worker of hers at Carhartt in the early 1970s. On her last visit, I got to capture her sweet hands making it. Different names from recipe variations are called Sea Foam Salad, Green Fluff, Pineapple Lime Jell-O Salad, Green Stuff, and Pineapple and Cream Cheese Jell-O Salad.

I could never get enough of vintage Jell-O Salads. A few family recipes that also make their appearance on our potluck spreads is this Old Fashioned Orange Jello Salad and Pistachio Fluff Salad (Green Goop).

Why You'll Love this Recipe

• Great for Any Occasion: With its vibrant green color, this retro dessert is always a huge hit and perfect for St. Patrick's Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas....any and all holiday meals!
• Sweet and Creamy Goodness: The combination of Jell-O, cream cheese, crushed pineapple, miniature marshmallows, and whipped topping creates indulgent texture and incredible blend of flavors!
• Pantry Staples Recipe: All of the ingredients are often found in the pantry and are easy to have on hand for quick and easy preparation.
• No-Bake Easy Dessert: This delicious dessert can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated until serving, saving precious oven space and time, especially during busy holiday seasons.

Ingredients

Scroll Down for Ingredient Amounts Listed in the Full Recipe Card Below

• Lime and Lemon Jello: These two Jellos serves as the base of the salad, providing flavor, color, and texture. It adds a tangy and refreshing taste to the salad, complementing the sweetness of the other ingredients.
• Crushed Pineapple: Crushed pineapple adds sweetness, acidity, and a tropical flavor to the salad. It also provides texture and moisture. (Don't drink the pineapple juice).
• Cream Cheese: Cream cheese adds richness and creaminess to the salad. It helps balance out the sweetness of the jello and pineapple while providing a smooth and velvety texture.
• Cool Whip: Adds lightness and fluffiness to the salad. It contributes to the overall creaminess and helps bind the other ingredients together. Cool Whip also adds a subtle sweetness.
• Miniature Marshmallows: Mini marshmallows add chewiness and a hint of sweetness to the salad.

Tools You'll Need

• Mixing Bowls
• Spatula
• Hand Mixer 
• Liquid Measuring Cups
• Whisk

How to Make Green Jello Salad

1. In a large bowl, whisk together lime Jell-O and 1 cup boiling water. Once the Jell-O has dissolved, whisk in ½ cup cold water. Once blended, stir in crushed pineapple. Refrigerate overnight or until firm.

2. Next day, in a mixing bowl, whisk together lemon Jell-O and 1 cup boiling water. Once the Jell-O has dissolved, whisk in ½ cup cold water. Allow the mixture to cool 1 hour in the refrigerator. It should be slightly set, not fully set in this time frame.

3. In a large mixing bowl, whip cream cheese on medium speed until smooth. Add Cool Whip and mix again just until blended. 

4. Remove the bowl of prepared lemon Jell-O from the refrigerator. Whip with a mixer on high speed until fluffy, about 30 seconds.

5. Transfer the whipped lemon mixture into the cream cheese mixture and mix on low speed until blended. 

6. Add the lime pineapple mixture to the lemon/cream cheese mixture and mix once again on low speed until blended. If desired, fold ¼-1/2 chopped pecans into the mixture.

7. Pour the mixture into a 13"×9" serving dish or serving bowl. Garnish with marshmallows and cherries (optional). Refrigerate overnight or until firm.

Expert Tips and Substitutions

• Perfect Lemon Jell-O Texture: In step #3, you'll want to make sure the lemon Jell-O has just started to set but not fully set. This typically takes 1 hour, but you can refrigerate less/longer if needed.
• Choosing Whipped Topping: While Cool Whip is a popular choice, you can use homemade whipped cream as a more natural alternative. Simply whip together 1 ½ cups heaving whipping cream, ¼ cup powdered sugar and ½ teaspoon vanilla extract until stiff peaks form.
• Customize the Sweetness: If you prefer a less sweet version, use unsweetened whipped topping and reduce the amount of marshmallows or choose sugar-free Jell-O mixes.
• Thawing Cool Whip: The simplest method is to let the Cool Whip sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes to an hour. Avoid placing it in direct sunlight or near a heat source, as this can cause it to melt unevenly. For a faster thaw, you can submerge the sealed container of Cool Whip in a bowl of cold water. Make sure the water is cold but not warm or hot. This method should thaw the Cool Whip in about 15-30 minutes.
• Experiment with Marshmallows: Instead of using plain miniature marshmallows, try flavored ones like coconut or strawberry for a unique twist.
• Other Mix-Ins: You can also include ¼-1/2 nuts (pecans, walnuts, almonds, pistachios), maraschino cherries, and/or orange segments.

Storage

After preparing the salad, cover it tightly with plastic wrap or lid and store in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, serve it chilled. Store leftovers in an airtight container. It's best to consume within 2-3 days to ensure optimal freshness but can last up to 5 days.

Freezing can change the texture of the whipped topping, marshmallows and pineapple, resulting in a less desirable consistency when thawed. It's not recommended to freeze.

Frequently Asked Questions

More Old Fashioned Sweet Treats

• Oatmeal Cake
• Butter Roll
• Strawberry Jam Cake
• Sad Cake (6 Ingredients)