This blueberry Jell-O salad recipe is a fun variation from the original Jell-O salad. It’s the perfect side for picnics, parties, and barbecues.
This Blueberry Jell-O Salad recipe is a fun variation from original, plain Jell-O salad. My kids beg for this! This salad is the perfect side dish or dessert to take to picnics, parties, and barbecues. We use pineapple because it gives the jello layer more 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!
Variations:
You can also substitute other fruits like bananas, strawberries, and raspberries. I love the fresh sweet taste of the blueberries topped with the thick fluffy cheesecake like top layer of this salad. 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. You can absolutely use other kinds. You can use blueberry, raspberry, lemon, whatever flavor you like or have on hand will still taste great, you just might not get the color you are looking for. We like using the blackberry because it gives the Jello a nice, appetizing true blueberry color. If that doesn’t matter to you or if you prefer a different flavor, you can absolutely switch it out.
We have also asked questions about using fresh berries 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.
Make Ahead:
This is the perfect make-ahead recipe. You can easily make this a day ahead of your picnic or party. Just cover and refrigerate.
- 2 c. boiling water
- 2 boxes 3 oz. blackberry Jell-O
- 1 can 16 oz. crushed pineapple, drained
- 1 can blueberry pie filling
- In a large bowl combine Jell-O and boiling water. Stir until dissolved. Mix in pineapple and pie filling. Pour into 9x13 inch pan and refrigerate about 2 hours until firm.
- Topping: Mix cream cheese and sugar together well. Stir in Cool Whip. Spread over set Jell-O. Refrigerate at least half an hour before serving.
- This recipe is also yummy using cherry Jell-O and cherry pie filling!
Love this jello salad, we make it and my kids think they get dessert first!! Awesome mom trick!
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!
Anyone have a suggestion of how to make this with fresh berries rather than pie filling?
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.
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.
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
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.
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
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?
I’m sure it would be just fine. Let us know how it turns out!
I used the grape Jell-O instead of the blackberry. It was delicious!
Thank you for sharing your idea. I’ll have to try the grape Jell-O next time I make it!
I have a friend that uses grape very good,
I use the grape jello. Never tried it with blackberry.
Has anyone tried it without the pineapple?
This sounds very good but can I leave out the pineapple.
You can leave out the pineapple but the texture will be different when serving. Hope this helps!
Blueberry jello is all I use.
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
I use berry blue hello. In topping use cream cheese, sour cream, sugar, and vanilla.
Can you please give measurements for the topping? Thanks!
This is very good using Raspberry Jello and Raspberry pie filling too!
Thanks for your comment! We love to hear new ideas and tips!
can you use frsh blueberry instead of can
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!
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!
This has to be the best Jello salad EVER! Perfect summer potluck recipe. I love this!
Thanks so much! I love the pineapple in it. 🙂
Anyone ever use a graham cracker crust? Wonerding if this would be good…
It would probably taste great!