This Blueberry Jello Salad recipe is a fun variation from the original Jello salad. It’s the perfect side for picnics, parties, and barbecues.
Blueberry Jello Salad
This Blueberry Jello Salad recipe is the perfect recipe to branch out from the traditional, plain Jello salad. The rich, fresh flavors make it the perfect side dish or dessert to take to picnics, parties, barbecues or even Easter dinner. We use pineapple because it gives the jello layer more fruity texture. But if you don’t like the thicker texture, just omit the pineapple and it is still delicious! Some have argued that this is more of a dessert than a salad. I’m not exactly sure why these types of dishes are called “salads”. In all honesty, I think it is more of a side dish or like many of you, closer to a dessert than a salad, but historically it called a Jello salad so we are just going with it. No matter what you call it, it is a great picnic addition!
Substitutes or Additions to this Jello Salad
The beauty of Jello salad is you can change up the ingredients any way you like! I love the fresh sweet taste of the blueberries topped with the thick, fluffy cheesecake-like top layer of this salad. But here are some ideas to switch it up:
- You can substitute the blueberries with other fruits like bananas, strawberries or raspberries.
- If you don’t want a top layer or you have someone in the family with lactose intolerance, you can just serve it plain without the topping and it will still be great.
- We have had people ask us if they can use different flavors of Jello besides blackberry. Of course! Try blueberry, raspberry, strawberry, lemon or whatever you like or have on hand. Any flavor will taste great, but you might not get the color you’re looking for. We like using blackberry because it gives the Jello a nice, deep, true blueberry color.
- We have also been asked about using fresh blueberries instead of canned pie filling. You can use fresh, you just won’t have as full of a flavor. You can also use other kinds of pie fillings, but by that point you may not have “blueberry” Jello salad anymore.
Perfect for Party Time
This is the perfect make-ahead recipe. You can easily make this a day ahead of your picnic or party. Just cover and refrigerate. If you’re heading to a party, you will be a big hit with this yummy salad. Here are a few other sides you can try the next time you’re planning to attend a potluck.
- Picnic Cake
- The BEST Potato Salad
- Italian Pasta Salad
- 4th of July Cake
- Strawberry Pretzel Jello Salad
- Authentic Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
How to make Blueberry Jello Salad
Ingredients
- 2 c. water boiling
- 6 oz blackberry Jello
- 16 oz crushed pineapple drained
- 1 can blueberry pie filling
Topping
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 2 Tbsp sugar
- 16 oz Cool Whip softened
- fresh blueberries optional
Instructions
- In a large bowl combine Jello and boiling water. Stir until dissolved. Mix in pineapple and pie filling. Pour into 9×13 inch pan and refrigerate about 2 hours until firm.
- Topping: Mix cream cheese and sugar together well. Stir in Cool Whip.
- Spread topping over set Jello. Refrigerate at least half an hour before serving. Top with fresh blueberries if desired.
Equipment
- 9×13 inch pan
Elizabeth P Butler says
Awesome! Jello and blueberries 🫐 topped with a thick, rich, tasty fluffy creamy sweet treat. Our family’s 👪favorites.
Jae says
I found blackberry flavor in Royal Gelatin, but the box is 1.41 oz Is there a difference in measurement size between Royal Gelatin and Jello? Royal comes in 1.41 oz box vs Jello in 3oz box. You used two boxes of Jello, would I use 4.25 boxes of Royal to get to the six oz, or use two boxes of Royal?
Favorite Family Recipes says
I would use enough to get to the 6 oz of gelatin mix.
Sarah Mc says
I tried this recipe and was amazed at the wonderful flavor. Thinking this is more along the lines of a dessert, I first layered the pan with a graham cracker crust, the proceeded with the recipe. Instant hit. Thank you.
Christine Magana says
It’s a family favorite and so delicious!
Denise Rawlings says
The recipe calls for 6oz of blackberry jello but the video shows using 2 6oz packets of jello. Should I use 1 or 2 6oz packages? I made this years ago and loved it but can’t remember. Thanks!
Favorite Family Recipes says
I believe in the video we used (2) 3oz packets because we couldn’t find a 6 oz packet that day.
Angela says
This is a wonderful jello salad recipe. My family loved it and I’m sure it will be a big hit at Thanksgiving.
Neli Howard says
OH my goodness, why haven’t I ever heard of anything like this?! This looks absolutely delicious.. once again, another wonderful recipe!
Emily Liao says
I’ve never tried a blueberry jello until now! So delicious and the texture came out great 🙂
Kate says
What a fab idea! Such a fun dessert for parties – we’re big blueberry fans!
Jess says
We are blueberry lovers in my family. This hits the spot!
Lisa says
I’ve made this for more than 30 years, but I use sour cream instead of cool whip and then add just a couple tablespoons of sugar to the topping. The tang of the sour cream cuts the sweetness of the jello – it’s sooo good!
Brenna says
Lisa ~ do you still mix the cream cheese and sour cream together for the topping, then? Or just use sour cream and sugar? Would you share more details of how you made your topping?
Robynne says
I saw a similar recipe that used 8 oz of cream cheese, 1 cup sour cream, and a half cup of powdered sugar for the topping
Stéphanie says
I have NOT made this yet. Sounds delicious. Pie filling comes in various size?? The recipe ingredients notes just a can?? What size please.
Thanks
Favorite Family Recipes says
We used a 21 oz can!
Susan White says
This was soooo good! It would make an unbeliveable pretzel salad too!
Nancy says
Bonjour, comment pour la quantité pour l’eau , c juste écrit eau c. Bouillante, merci de me répondre.
Erica Walker says
Bonjour, Nancy! “c” est une tasse ou 8 onces. J’espère que cela t’aides!
Eve says
Can we freeze this recipe?
Erica says
We have never tried freezing it before so we can’t say for sure. Typically Jell-O doesn’t do well if frozen but if you try it out, let us know how it turns out!
Geri says
Frozen berries is great I omit the sugar and the cream cheese. I put one layer of sourcream and do a second of berries and top it with whip cream it is heaven. Either I’m called to bring this dessert, Or I’m asked to write it out. I cut the jello in half for two layers keeping one liwuody until first layer set. It is the talk of the party!.
Favorite Family Recipes says
So glad you liked this recipe. Thanks for sharing how you adjusted the recipe to make it a success for your party!
KB says
What size can of blueberry pie filling do you use? Is it the 20-21 oz or smaller?
Favorite Family Recipes says
the 21 oz. size is the size we used. Hope this helps!
Sue Wilkins says
I prefer to use frozen blueberries. Can you give me the adjustment in the recipe to accommodate it please? Thank you.
Favorite Family Recipes says
I haven’t tried using frozen blueberries, so I don’t have a recipe to accommodate it. Sorry! Let us know how it turns out if you try it!
Andrea says
Anyone ever use a graham cracker crust? Wonerding if this would be good…
Favorite Family Recipes says
It would probably taste great!
Christine @ myblissfulmess says
This has to be the best Jello salad EVER! Perfect summer potluck recipe. I love this!
Favorite Family Recipes says
Thanks so much! I love the pineapple in it. 🙂
Gay R says
Has anyone ever used powered sugar instead of regular sugar with cream cheese?
Karen Howard says
Wow! This looks good enough to dump onto a yellow or white or an Angelfood Cake too!! you Pretty Ladies are always coming up with more recipes I can’t seem to live without! Thanks!
doris says
can you use frsh blueberry instead of can
Echo says
Yes, you can. The texture will be a little different because the blueberries won’t be cooked and in the blueberry glaze. The bottom layer will just be Jell-O with added fruit. With the fresh blueberries and topping, it will be delicious!
Lisa says
This is very good using Raspberry Jello and Raspberry pie filling too!
Echo says
Thanks for your comment! We love to hear new ideas and tips!
Carla Davis says
I use berry blue hello. In topping use cream cheese, sour cream, sugar, and vanilla.
Judi says
Can you please give measurements for the topping? Thanks!
Barb Jacobs says
I couldn’t find blackberry Jell-o in any of our local stores. I’m planning on trying this using either raspberry or grape….any thoughts on this?
Erica says
I’m sure it would be just fine. Let us know how it turns out!
Barb Jacobs says
I used the grape Jell-O instead of the blackberry. It was delicious!
Echo says
Thank you for sharing your idea. I’ll have to try the grape Jell-O next time I make it!
Rosemary says
I have a friend that uses grape very good,
Patti says
I use the grape jello. Never tried it with blackberry.
Roxanna says
Has anyone tried it without the pineapple?
Bonnie henning says
This sounds very good but can I leave out the pineapple.
Favorite Family Recipes says
You can leave out the pineapple but the texture will be different when serving. Hope this helps!
Erica Brown says
I made it for thanks giving and let the pineapple out (not a fan) came out perfectly delicious.
Shirlene says
Blueberry jello is all I use.
Tami says
Where do you find the black berry Jell-O I’ve searched all over town in Sacramento for it can’t find it nowhere went to Walmart Safeway save Mart the nugget where can I go find it thank you
Laura says
Grocery outlet stores
Cheryl says
I have a similar recipe and I use Berry Blue Jell-O, it works well. I can’t find black berry anymore around here.
Margie Dela Torre says
I have used raspberry jello
Telesa A Tinberg says
I have had this recipe for years and it uses grape jello. It’s yummy!
Sarah says
Anyone have a suggestion of how to make this with fresh berries rather than pie filling?
Patti says
I use a can of blueberries in the syrup, instead of the pie filling. My topping is with sour cream and cream cheese in stead of cool whip.
ILYNN says
Hi Patti,
I am interested in your SOUR CREAM with cream cheese. Would you, please, send me your recipe. The checkout clerk at Walmart verbally gave me the recipe: Cherry Jello, Crushed Pineapple, Cherry Pie Filling. After that sets, spread it with Cream Cheese and Sour Cream.
debbie says
cream the sour cream, cream cheese, sugar and vanilla…spread on top…you can also add walnuts to the jello….very good….1 c sour cream – 1 8 oz. cream cheese -1/2 cup sugar – 1 tsp. vanilla….after jello has set, cream all this together and spread on the top….refrigerate….I used blueberry jello, about 1/2 c pineapple, 1 can blueberry filling..make sure you drain pineapple…oh!!! beat the sugar and cream cheese first, then add vanilla and sour cream…yikes…lol..Merry Christmas
Shirlene says
2 cups of blueberries or 1 bag of frozen blueberries.
1 cup of water
1 cup suga1/2 tsp. Lemon juice ( can be omitted if desired)
In medium sauce pan bring to a boil, turn down to simmer for 5 minutes stirring enough to make sure all berries are evenly in the water. Turn off and remove from heat. Cool for about 5 minutes and pour berries into a strainer with a bowl underneath. Return liquid to stove . Add sugar to blueberry liquid and bring to a boil, turn down to low heat (almost a simmer but a little more heat is needed to thicken this) keep this at even heat until you see it begin to thicken, add corn starch liquid and simmer until thickened to pie filling consistency. Remove from heat and cool slightly before adding lemon juice. Add this back to your blueberries and you have fresh homemade pie filling and continue with your recipe.
Diane says
I’m sure you could make it without the pie filling. I used the pie filling and add a ton of fresh berries. It’s delicious! My mom always made it with just fresh berries! Good luck
Bobbi Spargo says
Thanks for the recipe. My mom always made different jello salads and I’ve always loved them, but they’ve all been green, red or orange. Can’t wait to have purple!
amber says
Love this jello salad, we make it and my kids think they get dessert first!! Awesome mom trick!
teresa says
please help me I want to make a blueberry congealed salad; but can’t find a can of blueberries in light syrup. What can I substitute for this
Favorite Family Recipes says
You can use fresh blueberries, it just won’t have a strong of a flavor. Hope this helps!