Lime Gelatin Salad

Set your time machine for the days when quivering salads and desserts dominated the food scene. While some of these old-school Jell-O recipes are better left in the past (like the ones filled with seafood or cauliflower—cringe!), sweet and indulgent party centerpieces like our lime gelatin salad are making a comeback.

This salad has a smooth, creamy texture and plenty of citrus flavor thanks to lime-flavored gelatin and sherbet. There are just four ingredients and there are no fussy layers; just mix, pour and chill.

Lime is one of the most-loved gelatin flavors. Unlike some of the unusual vintage Jell-O flavors that vanished after just a few years, it’s been around for almost a century! That’s likely because lime gelatin is bright, light and refreshing, making lime desserts like this one perfect for potlucks or for wrapping up a special dinner.

Ingredients for Lime Gelatin Salad

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• Lime gelatin: To flavor the salad and give it shape after chilling, use two 3-ounce boxes of lime gelatin mix.
• Boiling water: Before the salad can take shape in the fridge, the gelatin has to be dissolved and activated. Have two cups of boiling water ready to add to the gelatin mix.
• Lime sherbet: Creamy and citrusy lime sherbet is a flavor-packed ingredient that really makes this gelatin salad sing. You’ll need a whole quart for this recipe.
• Frozen whipped topping: Yes, this is a Cool Whip recipe! You can also use other brands of frozen whipped topping. Allow the topping to thaw before you begin.

Directions

Step 1: Make the salad mixture

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Pour the lime gelatin mix and boiling water into a large bowl. Stir until the gelatin is dissolved.

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Beat in the lime sherbet with a whisk until it’s melted

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Finally, whisk in the thawed whipped topping until the mixture is thoroughly combined and smooth.

Editor’s Tip: This recipe will go more efficiently if you have everything ready ahead of time. Coat the ring mold with cooking spray, let your whipped topping thaw and have the boiling water ready. Assemble the tools, too. You’ll need a large bowl, a whisk and a rubber spatula to scrape the bowl.

Step 2: Add it to the mold and chill

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Pour the liquid mixture an 8-cup ring mold coated with cooking spray. Refrigerate the salad, uncovered, for four hours or until it has set.

Step 3: Unmold and serve the salad

Once the salad is firm, carefully unmold it onto a serving platter. Slice and serve the dessert immediately.

Editor’s Tip: To help the salad release cleanly, carefully run a knife around the edge, then dip the bottom of the ring mold in warm water before inverting it onto the serving platter.

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Recipe Variations

• Try it with other flavors: Look for other sherbet flavors like lemon, orange, pineapple and even rainbow. Match them with the same flavor gelatin mix to create this unique cake in an array of gelatin and sherbet recipe flavors.
• Use other pan shapes: Instead of a ring pan, pour the gelatin salad mixture into a greased rectangular, square, loaf or round pan. You can also use a Bundt pan with a fun shape; just be sure to grease it well, so it comes out cleanly. Whichever pan you choose, make sure it has an 8-cup capacity.
• Make mini salads: Divide the mixture between eight greased, 1-cup dishes or mini Bundt pans for fun individual desserts.

How to Store Lime Gelatin Salad

It’s important to keep gelatin salad cold so that it holds its shape and keeps its fresh flavor. And it’s even more important with our lime gelatin salad since it’s made with dairy products. Cover the leftover salad with storage wrap or place it inside a tightly-covered airtight container. Keep your gelatin salad in the refrigerator.

How long does lime gelatin salad last?

This jiggly dish may look like it’ll last forever, but eventually it will begin to soften and separate. That’s why you should plan to eat your lime gelatin salad with three to four days of making it. Fortunately, because it’s so easy to make, it’s no problem to whip up another gelatin salad whenever you’re in the mood for a sweet, citrusy slice.

Lime Gelatin Salad Tips

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How do you avoid a lopsided gelatin salad?

The culprit behind lopsided gelatin salad is often just a wonky refrigerator shelf. The pan holding the liquid mixture must rest on a level surface in order for the salad to set evenly. Get a level shelf cleared off and ready in your refrigerator before beginning the recipe. Of course, for some desserts, intentionally setting the gelatin at an angle can be a beautiful effect, especially with layered gelatin recipes like our tropical rainbow dessert or seven-layer gelatin salad.

Why didn’t my lime gelatin salad set?

When a gelatin salad just won’t set, a likely reason is that the ingredients weren’t measured accurately. In this recipe, the one to double-check is the boiling water. Too much water will throw off the balance in the gelatin salad mixture, preventing it from setting. Measure wet ingredients the right way: with a glass Pyrex measuring cup. Check the amount at eye level, reading at the bottom of the meniscus, to measure exactly two cups of boiling water.

Another reason your salad won’t set is that it hasn’t had enough time to chill in the fridge. Plan ahead so you can give your salad the full four hours, or even a little longer if needed. Leave the ring mold uncovered in the fridge to prevent condensation from forming and falling into the mixture.

What else can you serve with lime gelatin salad?

Even though lime gelatin salad is made with whipped topping, no one will mind if you add some dollops of fresh whipped cream to the top, along with a few maraschino cherries for color! That hole in the center of the lime salad is perfect for holding all kinds of fresh fruit, like raspberries, strawberries or blueberries. You can also use canned mandarin oranges, cherry pie filling or fruit cocktail. Garnish the salad with fresh lime slices or long peels, just like the ones you’d make for cocktail garnishes.