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This cranberry salad is another of my family’s traditional recipes handed down from my grandmother. I can’t ever remember a holiday meal at her house, without this on the table. My husband doesn’t even care for cranberry sauce, but he loves this salad.
On a side note, if your family members make traditional recipes that you enjoy, always ask them to share the recipe. Those will always be your most cherished dishes.
Here are some other posts you may enjoy.
- Cauliflower Bisque
- Mushroom Cheeseball
- Miniature Pepper Jack Meatloaves
- Apple Cheesecake Crumble
- The Best Pumpkin Bread Ever!
- Gingerbread Cookies
- Candy Cane Glitter Candles
- The Emotional Side of Decluttering
After my grandmother passed away, I kept kicking myself because I had never gotten the recipe from her. Thankfully, my Aunt had more foresight than I did, and had my grandmother’s recipe. She surprised me by bringing cranberry salad to the Thanksgiving dinner that I host each year for my family.
Other Ways to Enjoy Cranberry Salad
One of the things we really enjoy about this cranberry salad, is the versatility. After Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner, we continue to enjoy it in different ways. One way we enjoy it is on Club crackers with cheeseball, cranberry salad and a small piece of turkey.
We found a new way to enjoy it this year. My husband read an article about a sandwich made with Thanksgiving leftovers. It had turkey, mayo, cranberry sauce, “crispy dressing” and lettuce. We decided to make it with my cranberry salad. I put fritter sized spoon fulls of dressing/stuffing in an iron skillet with a pat of butter. I fried it until it was crisp and golden brown on each side. We then assembled the sandwich and it was fantastic!
No matter how you choose to enjoy this cranberry salad, it will most definitely become a new holiday favorite. Get ready to share this recipe, because you will get requests.
Make Ahead for Super Easy Prep
This cranberry salad comes together easily. My favorite part of making it is the little popping sound the cranberries make while cooking. 🙂
Remember when making it that you will need time for it to gel, and time for it chill after adding the last ingredients. I usually make mine a day or two before I need it.
This recipe makes a really large bowl full of cranberry salad. I usually put some in another bowl to send home to my oldest daughter and son-in-law. You will have plenty for a large gathering, or to share. This recipe will serve 20-25 people. It will keep really well in the refrigerator for at least a week.
I hope that you enjoy this recipe, but most of all, I hope you get to enjoy spending time with the people you love. Besides our faith, nothing is more important than our family and friends. I wish you all a wonderful Thanksgiving, and a very Merry Christmas!
Cranberry Salad
Ingredients
- 1 lb. bag of cranberries
- 4 c. water
- 1/4 tsp. baking soda
- 2 c. sugar
- 1 large box of strawberry jello
- 1/2 (3 Tbs.) small box of strawberry jello
- 1 large bag of miniature marshmallows
- 1 cup of celery – diced
- *2 cups of apple – diced
- 2 c. English walnuts – chopped
- * Use the apple of your choice. My grandmother used Red Delicious. I have also used Granny Smith, Gala or Honey Crisp. It doesn’t really make any difference in the flavor.
Instructions
- Put the cranberries in a strainer and rinse well.
- Next, add 4 cups of water to a dutch oven, along with the rinsed cranberries and baking soda.
- Simmer over medium heat for 10 minutes.
- Remove from heat and add 2 cups of sugar, one large box of strawberry jello and 3 Tbs. of strawberry jello from the small box. Stir in the marshmallows until melted.
- Refrigerate for 2-3 hours, or until gelled.
- After gelling, gently stir in 1 cup of diced celery, 2 cups of diced apple and 2 cups of chopped English walnuts.
- Refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving.
