This classic Strawberry Jello Fruit Salad is light, refreshing, and easy to make.  It’s a great summertime dessert and will take you back in time to church potlucks and family reunions.  It’s a must in your summer recipe repertoire!

I can remember eating this classic dessert many times in the summer when I was growing up.  It always seemed to show up at church potlucks, picnics, and on my mom’s kitchen table on warm Sunday afternoons.  It’s no wonder!  It’s so easy to make and such a nice refreshing cold dessert.  Summer is right around the corner, and I want to have all my cool desserts lined up.

This easy dessert starts with frozen strawberries and a box of strawberry jello.  Absolutely, nothing complicated about this recipe.  Easy!

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 10-ounce bags of frozen strawberries*, thawed (or you can use fresh**)
  • 1 6-ounce pkg. Strawberry Jello, regular, not sugar-free
  • 2 cups hot water
  • 1 3/4 cups cold water
  • 1/4 cup strawberry juice
  • 1 8-ounce carton whipped topping
  • Fresh strawberries for garnish, optional

Instructions

  1. Add 1 bag of the thawed strawberries to a blender and puree them for about 30 seconds.  Set aside.  Add the second bag of strawberries to a medium saucepan.  Using a potato masher, slightly mash the strawberries into smaller pieces, especially if you are using whole ones.  Transfer the strawberries to a small strainer over a bowl and drain them, reserving 1/4 cup of the strawberry juice.  Set them aside.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the jello and hot water until the jello is dissolved.  Add the cold water and 1/4 cup of strawberry juice and mix well.
  3. Refrigerate the jello mixture for about 45 minutes, just until it’s starting to slightly thicken.  Using a hand mixer, mix the jello for about 30 seconds until it becomes foamy.  Add the mashed and pureed strawberries and mix for a few seconds.  Fold in the cool whip with a spatula, mixing just until combined.
  4. Refrigerate until the salad has become firm, about 2 hours.  Add sliced strawberries on top for garnish, if desired.

More delicious strawberry recipes you might like…

Strawberry Cream Cake Roll   

Strawberry Chiffon Pie

No-Churn Strawberry Ice Cream 

Strawberry Glaze Pie 

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Strawberry Jello Fruit Salad

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  • Author: Cindy Gibbs
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 10 servings 1x
  • Category: dessert
  • Method: refrigerate
  • Cuisine: American

Description

This classic Strawberry Jello Fruit Salad will take you back to summer days, outdoor gatherings, and church socials.  It’s super easy to make, tastes great on a hot summer day, and it holds up for a couple of hours in the heat.  A great summer dessert!  


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 2 10ounce bags of frozen strawberries*, thawed (or you can use fresh**)
  • 1 6ounce pkg. Strawberry Jello, regular, not sugar-free
  • 2 cups hot water
  • 1 3/4 cups cold water
  • 1/4 cup strawberry juice
  • 1 8ounce carton whipped topping
  • Fresh strawberries for garnish, optional


Instructions

  1. Add 1 bag of the thawed strawberries to a blender and puree them for about 30 seconds.  Set aside.  Add the second bag of strawberries to a medium saucepan.  Using a potato masher, slightly mash the strawberries into smaller pieces, especially if you are using whole ones.  Transfer the strawberries to a small strainer over a bowl and drain them, reserving 1/4 cup of the strawberry juice.  Set them aside.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the jello and hot water until the jello is dissolved.  Add the cold water and 1/4 cup of strawberry juice and mix well.
  3. Refrigerate the jello mixture for about 45 minutes, just until it’s starting to slightly thicken.  Using a hand mixer, mix the jello for about 30 seconds until it becomes foamy.  Add the mashed and pureed strawberries and mix for a few seconds.  Fold in the cool whip with a spatula, mixing just until combined.
  4. Refrigerate until the salad has become firm, about 2 hours.  Add sliced strawberries on top for garnish, if desired.
  5. Serve.  Refrigerate leftovers for up to 4 days.

Notes

  1. *You can use frozen strawberries with or without sugar.  The jello has sugar in it.  However, adding sweetened strawberries will not make this recipe overly sweet.
  2. **If you use fresh strawberries, puree half, and mash half.  Transfer the mashed half to a strainer over a bowl.  Add one teaspoon of sugar and mix.  Allow them to sit for a few minutes and drain.  Reserve 1/4 cup of the juice for the recipe.