Grandma's Famous Cranberry Salad Recipe (2024)

  • Post author:Melissa Haines
  • Post published:November 24, 2016
  • Post comments:6 Comments

Jump to Recipe

This Cranberry Salad Recipe is a sure hit with everyone. It’s the perfect side for the holidays. With bits of fresh cranberry, oranges, apples, and pineapple, it has the perfect balance of sweet and tart. Come on in and I’ll share my Grandmother’s Recipe for an Old Fashioned Cranberry Salad…

Cranberry Salad Recipe

This is an old-fashioned recipe, from my grandmother. Boy does this take me back to her 1950s-style kitchen, and the old hand grinder hanging over the kitchen sink! I loved grinding the apples and other ingredients for this delicious holiday side as a kid. Now, even after all of these years, I still don’t think any other cranberry salad holds a candle to this delicious flavor. Sometimes the old-fashioned recipes are truly the best!

If you are looking for holiday sides like this one then you might like my recipe for Old Fashioned Cranberry Cake with Butter Frosting, No Bake Cherry Fluff Salad, or Homemade Cornbread Stuffing with Cranberries

Table of contents

  • Cranberry Salad Recipe
  • Here is a quick video showing you how I make this Cranberry Salad…

It’s not only yummy, but it’s also so festive looking. I love the bits of orange peel and the chunks of cranberry.

Here is a quick video showing you how I make this Cranberry Salad…

Grandma's Famous Cranberry Salad Recipe (3)

Grandma’s Famous Cranberry Salad

Grandma’s cranberry salad is the perfect side for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

5 from 2 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Servings: 10 -12 servings

Calories: 190cal

Author: Melissa

Cost: $10

Ingredients

  • 1 12 oz. fresh cranberries
  • 2 large Apples Cored – (quartered or cut into large pieces) Get a sweet variety, like Empire, or Gala
  • 2 Seedless Oranges quartered – Don’t peel these, either.
  • 1 12 oz. stemless Maraschino Cherries – Drain the juice
  • 1 6 oz. Raspberry Jello
  • 2 Cups Heated Water
  • 2 Cups sugar
  • 1 15 oz. Crushed Pineapple Drain the juice

Instructions

  • Using a food processor or blender – grind the cranberries, apples, oranges, and cherries

  • *Just so the blender or food processor doesn’t get bogged down – You may want to grind a small amount at a time.

  • The mixture should be a little course for texture. Don’t grind it too fine

  • In the meantime, heat the water in a saucepan

  • Add the jello and sugar to the heated water

  • In a large bowl, combine the ground mixture, and the liquid

  • Add the drained crushed pineapple, and stir

  • Chill in the refrigerator for at least a couple of hours, or even 1 day in advance

  • Serve and enjoy!

Notes

  • The older recipes paid no attention to the number of calories in recipes. This recipe has 2 whopping cups of sugar! The sweetness is a big hit with my kids, and us. I like the balance of tart and sweet. But, if you would like the tartness of the cranberry to show through a little more, just cut back on the sugar. I’d start with 1 cup and add more if it needs it. If, after tasting it, you think you’d like to add more sugar to the salad, just dissolve more sugar in a small amount of hot water, and fold in before refrigerating. 🙂

nutrition information is only an estimate

Nutrition

Calories: 190cal | Carbohydrates: 49g | Protein: 0.4g | Fat: 0.2g | Saturated Fat: 0.02g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.03g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 4mg | Potassium: 96mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 47g | Vitamin A: 83IU | Vitamin C: 16mg | Calcium: 15mg | Iron: 0.1mg

[box] Grandma's Famous Cranberry Salad Recipe (4)Grandma's Famous Cranberry Salad Recipe (5)Grandma's Famous Cranberry Salad Recipe (6)Grandma's Famous Cranberry Salad Recipe (7)[/box]

~Melissa KidFriendlyThingsToDo.Com

Share

Share70

Share

Pin It! 2.6K

Share

Tweet

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

This Post Has 6 Comments

  1. Grandma's Famous Cranberry Salad Recipe (9)

    Susan Urben October 29, 2020Reply

    Thanks Melissa for this recipe. I omitted the sugar altogether and used the pineapple juice as part of the water, it was about 3/4s of a cup, so 1 1/4 cup water and 3/4s juice from the can . I topped with vanilla yogurt and pecans.

    1. Grandma's Famous Cranberry Salad Recipe (10)

      Melissa October 29, 2020Reply

      That sounds delicious, Susan. Thank you for telling us how you modified the recipe without sugar. I’m sure several people will find that information very helpful. 🙂

  2. Grandma's Famous Cranberry Salad Recipe (11)

    Vickie November 19, 2021Reply

    Would be nice to include the number of servings

  3. Grandma's Famous Cranberry Salad Recipe (12)

    Misty November 29, 2022Reply

    Love this recipe, its so good! I was wondering if you can freeze the leftovers?

    1. Grandma's Famous Cranberry Salad Recipe (13)

      Melissa November 29, 2022Reply

      Thank you! You know, I’ve never tried to freeze this recipe before, but that’s a great question. Unfortunately, it doesn’t sound like you can freeze this salad successfully because the Jell-O won’t freeze all the way and some of the fruit will lose their texture. You can, however, store it in the fridge for up to 10 days.

    2. Grandma's Famous Cranberry Salad Recipe (14)

      Melissa November 30, 2022Reply

      Strike my last reply. I’ve been corrected. My mom says she freezes it every year and it holds well in the freezer. That would be a great time saver for Christmas!

Grandma's Famous Cranberry Salad Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is cranberry salad made of? ›

Ingredients
  • 1 pound fresh or frozen cranberries.
  • ½ cup pure maple syrup.
  • ¼ cup water.
  • 2 cups chopped unpeeled Honeycrisp apples.
  • ¾ cup orange segments.
  • ¾ cup thinly sliced celery.
  • ½ cup chopped toasted walnuts.
  • 1 teaspoon lime zest or lemon zest.

What to use instead of cranberry sauce? ›

Consider a chutney with fresh and dried fruit, a tangy citrus marmalade, and even bacon-onion "jam." The recipes we've gathered are sweet and tart or savory and aromatic, they include the spices, nuts, and deep flavors we associate with autumn and winter, so you won't miss the cranberries one bit.

What is the closest berry to cranberry? ›

Substitution List
  • Dried Cherries. Dried cherries are one of the best substitutes for cranberries because they have a similar tartness that can complement sweet and savory dishes. ...
  • Pomegranate Seeds. ...
  • Raspberries. ...
  • Black Currants. ...
  • Blueberries. ...
  • Sour Cherries. ...
  • Goji Berries. ...
  • Dried Apricots.
Apr 14, 2023

Can I substitute dried cranberries? ›

Can I substitute dried cranberries in recipes that call for fresh cranberries? Yes, dried cranberries work well in baked goods; however there is a ¼ cup difference in measurement. If a recipe calls for one cup of fresh or frozen cranberries, use ¾ cup of sweetened dried cranberries.

Why is my cranberry salad runny? ›

One possibility is that you may not have used enough sugar: Sugar helps the sauce firm up, so be sure to use the full amount called for in a recipe. Another possibility is that the cranberries need to boil for longer, releasing their pectin and ensuring a jelly consistency. Still stumped?

Why should cranberries not be eaten raw? ›

Is it safe to eat cranberries raw? Cranberries are generally considered safe whether they are cooked or raw. However, because of their notoriously bitter, sharp taste, most people prefer not to eat them raw or unsweetened. This bitterness is due to the high tannin content of cranberries.

What takes the bitterness out of cranberry sauce? ›

"Instead, start by stirring in one tablespoon maple syrup and one teaspoon of a sweet drink like apple juice, orange juice, or fruity white or red wine. Add more to taste. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt (in small amounts, it intensifies sweetness)."

Is canned cranberry sauce better than homemade? ›

While there are some editors who prefer homemade cranberry sauce, the canned variety also has quite a following. "There's something so beautifully perfect about the texture of canned cranberry sauce, and none of those homemade mess will ever compete," says Senior Digital Food Editor Kimberly Holland.

How do you cut the tartness out of cranberry sauce? ›

Add A Splash Of Vinegar

Their sharp tang counteracts bitter flavors without having to add extra sugar. While citrus is a natural pairing for cranberry sauce, bright, savory vinegars like sherry vinegar, balsamic vinegar, and apple cider vinegar play well with the bitter-tart berries.

Are craisins cranberries? ›

Surprise your taste buds with the sweet, delicious taste of Craisins® Dried Cranberries. Made with real fruit and good as a snack or in a recipe, they're gluten free.

What 5 states grow cranberries? ›

Most cranberries come from Wisconsin and Massachusetts

Just five states grow almost all of the country's supply of the tart berries: Wisconsin produces more than half of all cranberries in the United States, Massachusetts harvests another third, and New Jersey, Oregon, and Washington produce much of the rest.

Are cranberries a fruit or vegetable? ›

Cranberries are a native North American fruit and a Thanksgiving staple for many families. Cranberries are potent sources of antioxidants, specifically from a subclass of flavonoids called proanthocyanidins, which are unique to and abundant in cranberries.

Who should not eat dried cranberries? ›

If possible, eat them fresh to avoid the added sugars found in dried fruits and juices. Don't eat cranberries if you take blood thinners, get frequent kidney stones, or are allergic to aspirin.

Can you use craisins instead of cranberries? ›

Yes, Craisins® Sweetened Dried Cranberries work well in baked goods; however, there is a 1/4 cup (60 mL) difference in measurement. If a recipe calls for one cup of fresh cranberries you should use 3/4 cup (175 mL) of Craisins®.

Why are there no cranberries in the stores? ›

* The availability of fresh cranberries is limited because the harvest season is very short. Harvesting begins in September and continues through November, and fresh cranberries may be purchased during that time.

What are the main ingredients in cranberries? ›

Raw, unsweetened American cranberries contain mainly 87% water and 12% carbohydrates, with lesser amounts of protein, fats and fiber (Table 1) [11]. Small cranberries accrue 2.1–4.9% titrable acidity with citric acid contributing 1.8–2.6%.

What are cranberries mostly made of? ›

Raw cranberries are 87% water, 12% carbohydrates, and contain negligible protein and fat (table).

Is cranberry a fruit or vegetable? ›

Cranberries are a native North American fruit and a Thanksgiving staple for many families. Cranberries are potent sources of antioxidants, specifically from a subclass of flavonoids called proanthocyanidins, which are unique to and abundant in cranberries.

Is cranberry actually good for you? ›

Cranberries provide a good source of various vitamins and antioxidants. Historically, Native Americans used cranberries as a treatment for bladder and kidney diseases, while early settlers from England used them to treat poor appetite, stomach complaints, blood disorders, and scurvy.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Eusebia Nader

Last Updated:

Views: 5489

Rating: 5 / 5 (60 voted)

Reviews: 83% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Eusebia Nader

Birthday: 1994-11-11

Address: Apt. 721 977 Ebert Meadows, Jereville, GA 73618-6603

Phone: +2316203969400

Job: International Farming Consultant

Hobby: Reading, Photography, Shooting, Singing, Magic, Kayaking, Mushroom hunting

Introduction: My name is Eusebia Nader, I am a encouraging, brainy, lively, nice, famous, healthy, clever person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.