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, barbecues or even Easter dinner. 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.
Blueberry Jell-O Salad
INGREDIENTS
- 2 c. boiling water
- 2 boxes 3 oz. blackberry Jell-O
- 1 can 16 oz. crushed pineapple, drained
- 1 can blueberry pie filling
Topping
INSTRUCTIONS
- 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!
amber says
July 23, 2012 at 3:19 pmLove this jello salad, we make it and my kids think they get dessert first!! Awesome mom trick!
teresa says
November 18, 2018 at 8:00 pmplease 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
November 18, 2018 at 10:17 pmYou can use fresh blueberries, it just won’t have a strong of a flavor. Hope this helps!
Bobbi Spargo says
August 7, 2012 at 2:21 pmThanks 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!
Sarah says
July 14, 2013 at 11:51 amAnyone have a suggestion of how to make this with fresh berries rather than pie filling?
Patti says
November 14, 2014 at 7:45 pmI 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
December 30, 2014 at 4:26 pmHi 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
December 17, 2015 at 7:02 pmcream 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
May 26, 2016 at 4:44 am2 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
May 28, 2017 at 7:23 pmI’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
Barb Jacobs says
June 27, 2014 at 1:50 pmI 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
June 28, 2014 at 9:58 amI’m sure it would be just fine. Let us know how it turns out!
Barb Jacobs says
July 4, 2014 at 8:53 pmI used the grape Jell-O instead of the blackberry. It was delicious!
Echo says
July 5, 2014 at 2:28 pmThank you for sharing your idea. I’ll have to try the grape Jell-O next time I make it!
Rosemary says
November 13, 2014 at 6:53 pmI have a friend that uses grape very good,
Patti says
November 14, 2014 at 7:47 pmI use the grape jello. Never tried it with blackberry.
Roxanna says
December 19, 2014 at 6:00 pmHas anyone tried it without the pineapple?
Bonnie henning says
July 23, 2017 at 11:51 amThis sounds very good but can I leave out the pineapple.
Favorite Family Recipes says
July 24, 2017 at 9:36 amYou can leave out the pineapple but the texture will be different when serving. Hope this helps!
Erica Brown says
November 22, 2018 at 6:37 pmI made it for thanks giving and let the pineapple out (not a fan) came out perfectly delicious.
Shirlene says
May 26, 2016 at 4:45 amBlueberry jello is all I use.
Tami says
September 12, 2016 at 11:34 pmWhere 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
March 24, 2019 at 12:13 amGrocery outlet stores
Cheryl says
February 9, 2019 at 4:17 pmI have a similar recipe and I use Berry Blue Jell-O, it works well. I can’t find black berry anymore around here.
Carla Davis says
December 19, 2014 at 5:59 pmI use berry blue hello. In topping use cream cheese, sour cream, sugar, and vanilla.
Judi says
November 8, 2015 at 5:07 pmCan you please give measurements for the topping? Thanks!
Lisa says
December 21, 2014 at 7:57 pmThis is very good using Raspberry Jello and Raspberry pie filling too!
Echo says
December 22, 2014 at 12:47 pmThanks for your comment! We love to hear new ideas and tips!
doris says
August 9, 2015 at 7:25 pmcan you use frsh blueberry instead of can
Echo says
August 10, 2015 at 9:54 amYes, 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!
Karen Howard says
June 22, 2017 at 12:05 pmWow! 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!
Christine @ myblissfulmess says
July 15, 2017 at 4:09 pmThis has to be the best Jello salad EVER! Perfect summer potluck recipe. I love this!
Favorite Family Recipes says
July 15, 2017 at 4:49 pmThanks so much! I love the pineapple in it. 🙂
Gay R says
April 16, 2019 at 9:05 pmHas anyone ever used powered sugar instead of regular sugar with cream cheese?
Andrea says
July 17, 2017 at 11:23 amAnyone ever use a graham cracker crust? Wonerding if this would be good…
Favorite Family Recipes says
July 17, 2017 at 11:50 amIt would probably taste great!
KB says
November 9, 2017 at 6:36 pmWhat size can of blueberry pie filling do you use? Is it the 20-21 oz or smaller?
Favorite Family Recipes says
November 14, 2017 at 1:43 pmthe 21 oz. size is the size we used. Hope this helps!
Geri says
October 27, 2018 at 5:40 pmFrozen 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
October 29, 2018 at 5:40 pmSo glad you liked this recipe. Thanks for sharing how you adjusted the recipe to make it a success for your party!
Eve says
April 19, 2019 at 1:18 pmCan we freeze this recipe?
Erica says
April 20, 2019 at 9:35 pmWe 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!
Nancy says
May 22, 2019 at 2:34 pmBonjour, comment pour la quantité pour l’eau , c juste écrit eau c. Bouillante, merci de me répondre.
Erica Walker says
May 23, 2019 at 9:07 amBonjour, Nancy! “c” est une tasse ou 8 onces. J’espère que cela t’aides!