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This blueberry Jello salad recipe is a fun variation from the original Jello salad. It’s the perfect side for picnics, parties, and barbecues.
Featured with this Recipe
This blueberry Jello salad recipe, or blueberry gelatin salad 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 holiday meals like Christmas, Thanksgiving, or Easter dinner. We use pineapple because it gives the jello layer a 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 is called a Jello salad so we are just going with it. No matter what you call it, it is a great picnic addition!
Ingredients in Blueberry Jello Salad
This classic blueberry Jell-O salad recipe is always a fun side dish or dessert when inviting over friends and family. It is the perfect combination and flavor. These ingredients are pantry staples and easy to store and make this jello salad when needed.
- Blackberry Jello – If you can’t find blackberry jello, you can also use black cherry jello or grape jello. Both of these flavors of Jello are similar to the flavor of blueberries. We like using blackberry because it gives the Jello a nice, deep, true blueberry color.
- Crushed Pineapple – This is a fun ingredient! It adds texture and flavor to the mixture. Drain the pineapple juice before combining. Rather than mixing cold water, you will use this crushed pineapple in the jello salad recipe.
- Blueberry Pie Filling – You should be able to find a can of blueberry pie filling in the baking aisle.
- Cream Cheese – For the smoothest cream cheese topping, let the cream cheese sit out on the counter to soften before using.
- Sugar – Added in for sweetness! This easy jello salad tastes sweet and delicious!
- Cool Whip – This is part of the topping. It is smooth and creamy over top of the Jello. Fold and stir the cool whip or whipped topping to spread evenly over top the flavored Jello.
- Fresh Blueberries – Garnish with fresh blueberries. You can also sprinkle the salad with crushed nuts like walnuts or pecans.
How to Make Easy Blueberry Jello Salad
This is an easy blueberry jello salad dish that kids to adults love! It is layered with a beautiful blue color with a creamy layer of whipped topping, and fresh blueberries sprinkled on top. This blueberry Jello salad combination!
- Combine – In a large mixing bowl whisk together the Jello mix and boiling water. Stir the Jello mixture until dissolved. Mix in pineapple and pie filling. Pour into a 9×13-inch pan and refrigerate for about 2 hours until firm.
- Topping – Mix cream cheese and sugar together well. Stir and fold in Cool Whip.
- Spread topping over set Jello – Refrigerate and chill at least half an hour before serving. Top with fresh blueberries if desired.
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. The options and variations are endless!
- Fruits – You can substitute the blueberries with other fruits like bananas, mandarin oranges, strawberries, or raspberries.
- Toppings – 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.
- Jello flavors – Try different flavors of Jello besides blackberry. 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 are looking for. Then you will be making strawberry jello salad, lime jello salad, or orange jello salad for different salad recipes.
- Fresh ingredients – 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.
“Awesome! Jello and blueberries 🫐 topped with a thick, rich, tasty fluffy creamy sweet treat. Our family’s 👪favorites.”
-Elizabeth
Frequently Asked Questions
The first popular Jell-O salad was a dish called Cranberry Perfection. It was made in 1904 in Pennsylvania and it won 3rd place in the Better Homes and Gardens recipe contest that year.
I would try to eat any leftovers within a few days.
You can put it in the freezer for about 15 minutes to speed along the setting process but don’t leave it in for too long or it will freeze. If your jello freezes, it will be ruined.
The origin of jello salad goes back to a dish from 1904 that was called “Perfection salad”. Mrs. John E. Cook from Pennsylvania won the third place prize during the Better Homes and Garden recipe contest with a jello salad recipe.
Storing and Making Ahead
This jello salad is the perfect dish to make ahead or store any leftovers. Cover and store this jello salad in the refrigerator for five days. It is best that it is not room temperature when sitting out. This is a family favorite dish that everyone loves!
Read Next:50+ Picnic Food Ideas
More Recipes with Jello
This is the perfect make-ahead recipe. You can easily make this a day ahead of your picnic or party. Just cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate. If you’re heading to a party, you will be a big hit with this yummy salad. Here are a few other jello recipes you can try the next time you’re planning to attend a potluck.
How to Make Blueberry Jello Salad
Blueberry Jello Salad
Video
Equipment
- 9×13 inch pan
Ingredients
- 2 cups water boiling
- 6 ounces blackberry Jello
- 16 ounces crushed pineapple drained
- 1 can blueberry pie filling
Topping
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- 2 Tablespoons sugar
- 16 ounces 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 a 9×13-inch pan and refrigerate for 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.
Notes
- 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.
We’ve been making a variation of this for generations.
The story is great grandma ran an apartment building in DC in the 60’s which was a hippy commune. They loved their sweets!!!
I have the same recipe but I don’t drain the pineapple. Because it’s a large box of jello, you would normally use 2cups hot water 2 cups cold if you were making jello, but you are only using 2cups in this recipe so your recipe is the only one where I’ve seen it say drained. It’s sets up just fine without draining the crushed pineapple. And this is fantastic made with raspberry jello Fyi
Awesome! Jello and blueberries 🫐 topped with a thick, rich, tasty fluffy creamy sweet treat. Our family’s 👪favorites.
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?
I would use enough to get to the 6 oz of gelatin mix.
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.
It’s a family favorite and so delicious!
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!
I believe in the video we used (2) 3oz packets because we couldn’t find a 6 oz packet that day.
This is a wonderful jello salad recipe. My family loved it and I’m sure it will be a big hit at Thanksgiving.
OH my goodness, why haven’t I ever heard of anything like this?! This looks absolutely delicious.. once again, another wonderful recipe!