Grandma’s Lime Green Jello Salad Recipe (with Cottage Cheese & Pineapple) is a retro recipe that my husband’s grandma made for many holiday meals. To continue with the tradition, I make this lime jello salad every Thanksgiving — and sometimes for Christmas too!
This post contains affiliate links for your convenience. We receive a small commission if purchases are made through our links to retailers. Click here to read our full disclosure policy.
Post updated 9/8/2019 with new photos. Originally posted on 9/18/2010.
This Jell-O salad is a nostalgic favorite for my husband. He grew up with his grandmother making it for many of the holiday meals in their home. It was always one of his favorites and it still is to this day.
While my husband’s grandmother is no longer with us, I have continued with the tradition of making Grandma’s Lime Green Jello Salad for him. Without fail, I make it every Thanksgiving.
The unusual part of this story is that my husband is usually the only one who eats Grandma’s Lime Green Jello Salad. Sometimes the kids will take a spoonful of it, and whenever we have a new guest, they usually try it. But he’s usually the only one who eats it.
Almost every year, my husband will tell me, “you don’t have to make it this year”. It’s his sweet way of trying to take something off my to-do list. But, he loves it so much that I won’t ever stop making it. And, to be honest, this is one of the easiest Thanksgiving side dishes that I make — plus it can be made in advance — so it’s really no trouble at all.
This Lime Jello Salad only needs 6 ingredients: lime jello (gelatin), crushed pineapple, evaporated milk, mayonnaise, cottage cheese, and walnuts. You don’t have to use the brands I have shown below — I usually use whatever I get the best deal on. I have used lots of different brands over the years and it always turns out as expected.
To make this Lime Cottage Cheese Jello Salad, you’ll first start with the crushed pineapple. After opening your can, drain the pineapple into a measuring cup or bowl that will hold at least 2 cups of liquid.
For this, I always use my 4-cup Pyrex measuring cup. Drain the pineapple right from the can into the cup — of course, try not to let any of the pineapple pieces get into it, but don’t stress if a bit of them fall in.
Once you have the pineapple juice, add enough water to your measuring cup so that you have 2 cups of liquid. This is what you’ll use with the lime jello.
The 2 cups of diluted pineapple juice are placed in a small saucepan and heated together with the lime jello until the jello is completely dissolved. Allow the lime jello mixture to cool slightly in the pan before pouring it into a mixing bowl.
Next, in a mixing bowl, mix together the mayo and evaporated milk until smooth. Slowly incorporate the warm lime jello mixture into the milk/mayo mixture. I usually pour a bit in, whisk to combine and repeat until all of the lime jello mixture has been added. Finally, stir in the crushed pineapple, cottage cheese, and walnuts.
Pour the entire mixture into an 8×8″ baking dish and cover. I use a basic glass Pyrex pan, but you can use pretty much any dish as long as it’s about the same size.
Place your lime jello salad in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, but it’s best to refrigerate overnight. I usually make this the day before Thanksgiving or Christmas. You could even make this recipe 2-3 days before if needed.
For serving your Lime Green Jello Salad recipe with Cottage Cheese and Pineapple, it can be cut into squares, as we show in the photos, but we usually just scoop it out with a serving spoon.
Did you or someone you loved used to make this retro jello salad? We’d love to hear your memories of it! We also love hearing about the different versions you’ve had. Be sure to leave us a comment at the end of this post!
And, for my husband and all others, here is the full recipe for Grandma’s Lime Green Jello Salad recipe:
Grandma’s Lime Green Jello Salad Recipe
PrintGrandma’s Lime Green Jello Salad Recipe (with Cottage Cheese & Pineapple)
Grandma’s Lime Green Jello Salad Recipe (with Cottage Cheese & Pineapple) is a retro lime jello salad that my husband’s grandma made for many holiday meals. To continue with the tradition, I make this every Thanksgiving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Total Time: 4 hours and 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Refrigeration
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 cup crushed pineapple (drained with juice reserved)
- 1 cup water (more or less depending on what’s needed, see instructions below)
- 2 packages lime jello (3 oz each)
- 1 cup mayo
- 1 cup evaporated milk (canned)
- 1 cup small curd cottage cheese
- 1/2 cup walnuts (chopped)
Instructions
- In a large multi-cup measuring cup (I use my 4 cup Pyrex), add all of the reserved pineapple juice and then add enough water to the juice to make a total of 2 cups. Pour into pot and bring just to a boil.
- Add the lime Jell-o mixes to the boiling pineapple juice/water and stir until dissolved. Remove from heat, allow to cool just slightly.
- In a mixing bowl, stir together the mayo and evaporated milk. Combine until very smooth. Slowly stir in the Jell-o mixture until all is incorporated with the mayo/milk mixture. Stir in the crushed pineapple, cottage cheese, and walnuts.
- Pour mixture into an 8×8″ glass casserole pan. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight (preferred).
Notes
–To avoid waste, I often add all of the drained crushed pineapple from the can into this recipe, even if it’s more than a cup, and if I don’t need the leftovers for anything else.
–For serving, this Lime Jello Salad can be cut into squares or spooned from the dish.
–This recipe can be made 1-3 days in advance.
Keywords: 6 ingredients, retro jello salad, holiday jello salad, lime jello salad, cottage cheese jello salad, green jello salad, lime jello salad with cottage cheese
The photo below is the original photo (and the only photo) in this post from 9/18/2010.
Karen says
That’s my grandma’s Christmas salad only difference is I use 1 lemon 1 lime Jell-O 16 oz carton of cottage cheese and a small can of sweetened condensed milk not evaporated I grew up and my kids and grandkids as grandma’s Christmas salad we have it for Thanksgiving and Christmas oh and we use the whole can of crushed pineapple drained of course I love it so does my daughter 9X13 pan
David says
This brings back memories, my great grandmother used to make this every Thanksgiving and Christmas and I couldn’t get enough of it! She called it congealed salad and instead of walnuts she used pecans. I think this year I’m going to try to make it, one with pecans and one with walnuts!!!
★★★★★
George Hoffer says
I have ate this as a little boy growing up this is real good I would like to get this recipe and make it my self for my family
★★★★★
Phronsie Jones says
My Mother made this a lot when I was growing up. Her recipe used a can of condensed milk instead mayo and evaporated milk. She also used pecans instead of walnuts. I am not a fan of lime jello but I love this salad.
Cindy says
Mom made this every holiday. Doubled the recipe and used 1 box of lime and 1 box of lemon jello. 2 ribs of celery cut up fine and a pint of cool whip. Needless to say, it was all consumed!!!
★★★★
SANDRA L SCROGGS says
I’ve been looking for this recipe for sooo long!! My mother used to make this for our holiday meals – of course, I never asked her for the recipe because I thought she’d live forever. With all of you saying you’ve made it for so long, I’m surprised it took me so long to find this recipe online! I remember it being really good – I will have to try it to see if I still feel the same way! <3 So excited to find this!
Crystal says
Love this salad but ive never used mayo I use cream cheese!!! Absolutely delicious!!!
Lynne says
Me too!! My mother always used cream cheese, no milk or mayo. I always loved it! My kids Haha not as much! My Mother was a terrible cook, sorry Mom, but I swear she had 100 recipes for jello! She came from the Philadelphia area, wonder if it was an East coast thing? We live in Wisconsin. I just might make this again. Wonder if the grandchildren would like it. Worth the look on my grown children’s faces. Thanks for the memory!
Jean Minner says
Love the salad and some other things people added.
★★★★★
Joanna says
Our version of this uses cottage cheese, jello, cool whip and fruit. My go to is orange jello and mandarin oranges, but I’ve done the lime/ pineapple/ pecan version and a cherry jello/ maraschino cherry/ almond version. My ratios are one big and one little box (or 3 little) jello, 2 large containers cottage cheese, 1 container cool whip – the regular or extra creamy because the light doesn’t work right, and 3 cans oranges (2 cans of pineapple or jars of cherries – halved and 1 cup-ish chopped nuts)
DeLisa Ward says
My mother made this, but she substituted cream cheese for mayo, and she used orange jello and mandarin oranges. I’ve had it both ways, but I prefer Mom’s way.
LuAnnette says
My Mother-in-law always made this for Christmas dinner in the 1960s. I had already planned to make this for Christmas and maybe Thanksgiving, Aldo! It is that good!!
★★★★★
Glenda c says
I make this with a different version 2 cups water, pack of lime jello pack of lemon jello, 1 cup mayo, can crushed pineapple, 16 oz. cottage cheese, can of condensed milk 1&1/2 cups chopped pecans.
★★★★★
Doris Bush says
I also have congealed salad recipe that calls for 2 cups buttermilk not cottage cheese, no cream cheese either, one can crushed pineapple drained then add up to make 2 cups for jello mixture. Mix then add 8 oz tub of cool whip add nuts I use pecans and refrigerate til firm. Excellent change wo the taste of cottage cheese! Even though I love cottage cheese. Just like my receipt better! Ty for other recipe too!
★★★★
Karen L Reed says
My Mom allways made this for the holidays and I’m 75 and still make it, but a little differently.
2 small pkgs lime jello
1 8 oz cream cheese
1 lg can crushed pineapple
1/2 cup walnuts
pint of whipping cream
Directions:
add jello to 2 cups boiling water, to that add cream cheese, let cheese dissolve.
Drain pinapple and add enough cold water to make 2 cups. add this to jello and cream cheese. Add crushed pinapple,walnuts.
Whip cream to stiff peaks and fold into the rest of mixture. Let set over night!
Adria Schott says
I make this at Easter and use cool
Whip and skip the step of whipping the cream.
Pamela Welsh says
I make a similar salad with Lemon jello, cottage cheese (dry curd), crushed pineapple, and either chopped walnuts or pecans. My mother made a Lime Jello salad with shredded carrots and pureed apricots. Personally I prefer mine 😏.
★★★★
Elizabeth Rhoads says
My aunt also added some shredded carrots and Shreded cucumbers! We are from Kentucky and called it Kentucky Salad. ——Perhaps it had some horseradish and celery—— usually no nuts if celery was added! WONDERFUL MEMORIES!
Jennifer Lyons says
I make a jello salad very much like this. It begins with 2 small boxes of lime jello and one box of lemon jello. I add 3 c. boiling water, cottage cheese, pineapple, mayonnaise, evaporated milk, walnuts and the savory touch- 2 tsp. of prepared horseradish. It’s called Gentlemen’s Salad because the guys like the slightly savory touch. My husband eats this in great quantities every holiday. I also make it for picnics.
Cathy Baker says
The Driftwood restaurant in my hometown of Pensacola made it like this, with horseradish. They were famous for it. Delicious!
Sherry Dennis says
I am trying this recipe this weekend. I remember one like this from childhood. I have a question or two. Is each serving a 1/2 cup or 1 cup etc. Also do you have nutrition counts, per serving, like calories etc. ? I don’t use the sugar free Jello, I like regular for taste. Thank you so much Sherry Dennis
★★★★★
Doreen says
This sounds delish! Are all measurements the same? You’re adding an extra box so wondering
Kristy Cooper says
My Fathers Mother “Peggy” always made this jello salad and it was my favorite thing. Hets was stirred together in a plastic bowl, probably the bowl she set the lime jello in. S new I’ve never had it in squares, but by the large spoonfuls.
★★★★★
Linda says
It really is delicious! A friend dubbed it “puke salad.” Hmmm, I wonder why!
★★★★★
Sarah Ward says
Ty any other old recipes please post. Giblet gravy, dumplins
★★★★★
Norma says
My family puts chopped celery in this salad also
Sally Davis says
This is similar to Lime and Pistachio pudding..
Only we use cream cheese and marshmallows, and add
some cool whip and cherries..Very pretty dessert.
No nuts needed..
Theresa Delgado says
HELLO SALLY I would love to try your recipe. I believe my cousin also made hers with cream cheese. It was delicious, but since her passing, several years ago, I haven’t had anything close to her recipe. 😋yummy
★★★★★
Gina Delahoussaye says
The recipe with cool whip and Pistachio pudding and marshmallows is very different. It will not congeal like the lime jello.
I make the pistachio desert every year but I have been also looking for this lime gelatin desert for a long time. Luby’s always had it and I always got it.
I am so glad to have the recipe. Thank you so much. It will be on my list of salads/deserts for Christmas.
Trish Herzog says
Could you please post your recipe? It sounds colorful and delicious and I’d love to make it for Thanksgiving. Thank you!
★★★★★
Suzanne says
My Granny made Lime Jello Salad every year for Christmas and Thanksgiving. Rumor has it that the first time she made it she didn’t have cottage cheese (or whatever cheese the recipe called for) so she used grated cheese. Hers didn’t have mayo, either…just the jello, pineapple, heavy cream, sugar and cheddar cheese. Sometimes she added pecans. My older sister carries on this tradition for us.
Barbara says
I am 73 and remember my Grandma making this at the holidays. She made it w/out nuts till one year (maybe 1974?) when she added chopped pistachios which added a little unexpected crunch. She called it Watergate salad…with a twinkle in her eyes. When asked why, she said, “Because it has bugs in it”. Grandma was fun in the kitchen.
★★★★★
Mary says
I haven’t thought of this jello dish in years but when I saw the picture I was transported back to the 60’s when my mom would make this for holidays or serve it cut in squares on a lettuce leaf for her bridge club ladies. I don’t have her recipe but I recall she used cottage cheese. Thank you for sharing! I intend to make it for Thanksgiving in memory of my mom!
★★★★★
Ramona Davis says
We had this too but was two layers the top being orange jello with mandarin oranges,I always liked the green part best
Leta says
My mom made this every holiday including Easter. I still do also. No matter what your recipe is, it is a great salad. We use miniature marshmallows and cream cheese with sugar free jello, and pineapple in it’s own juice.
PattyA says
My mom made this salad at all our Thanksgiving (green)) & Christmas (cherry pink) dinners. It was also a favorite at our church fund raising dinners where they served orange as well. always cut in squares, served individually on lettuce leaves with a dollop of mayo Or whipped cream & cherry (red & green). Love this jello salad still. I make for all our important dinners with my mom’s spirit over my shoulder sharing time with me!
Paula says
I am 70 yrs old..and my Mom used to make this..but without the mayo…we always had it at Thanksgiving and Christmas..but at most any gathering would find it on the table. My whole family loved it. She would often decorate the top with cherries at Christmas. I am so happy to see how popular it still may be. I make it for myself every so often, as my family is all gone now..it always takes me down memory lane.
★★★★★
Andrea Mellor-Frey says
I’ve been enjoying this jello salad since I was a small child. Though the years it changed to cream cheese instead of cottage cheese, real whipped cream homemade, crushed pineapple, lime jello, and pecans. I could eat the whole bowl myself. Sometimes I have to put some of it in a separate bowl so I have some for myself the next day.
Catherine says
This was a staple at our Thanksgiving until I lost the recipe when I cleaned out some cookbooks. By then my mom had died so I couldn’t ask her anymore. And yes, I’m about the only one that eats it but I love it! Our version also used cream cheese instead of mayo, pecans instead of walnuts, and combined lemon and lime jellos. So glad to have this back!!!
★★★★★
Melissa says
How much cream cheese do you substitute for the mayo??
Maggie L Smith says
My mother made this jello salad every Thanksgiving and Christmas. She didn’t use the evaporated milk–it was left out so were the walnuts. What she did especially at Christmas, she put CHERRIES (red) and sometimes the GREEN cherries in the salad at Christmas to look more like a Christmas theme. This was in place of walnuts. Children could eat it easier than the walnuts and they loved the cherries more to their taste.
Becky Adams says
My mother always made this lime jello dessert for holidays! Several of my grandchildren have learned to enjoy it too! We usually just use fresh pecan pieces instead of walnuts.
Carol McKinney says
I make this every year but it is a bit different. Instead of mayo, I use 1 cup of Miracle Whip and I add 1 cup of shredded carrots. Instead of 2 boxes of Lime Jello, I use 1 lime and one 1 lemon. I use 1 cup of crushed pineapple. We call it Cup-O-Salad since there is 1 cup of each ingredient.
Nancy says
Thanks! I was wondering if Miracle Whip would work.
Penny says
We make green for Thanksgiving and red for Christmas but our recipe is different.
Large box of green jello
10 large marshmallows melted in the jello
Can of crushed pineapple (drain all the juice in the jello mixture
Container of small cuts cottage cheese
2 cups cool whip ( I use the whole conTainer)
Take juice from pineapple mix with jello and heat to dissolve. Add in the marshmallows and let melt while stirring.
Let it cool for about 15 minutes. Add can of pineapple , cottage cheese to mixture and mix. Then add in cool whip. Yum yum
Kelly says
I was raised by my grand mother who made this every Christmas called it Christmas salad. I continued the tradition and make it every year. Instead of mao and milk we used cool whip and mini marshmallows. Let the jello set till slushy fold in the cool whip marshmallow cottage cheese pineapple and we used pecans! Then let set over night I always made this night before the dinner! I love it
Ahna Simmons says
I make one similar to this except I only use 1 big box of lime jello, 1 medium size small curd cottage cheese, 1 regular size cool whip, 1 small can of crushed pineapple, 1 regular size can of pineapple rings and 1 cup of pine nuts. First I mix the dry jello into the cottage cheese until it’s completely mixed in then I add the cool whip and once I have those mixed together really well I drain the crushed pineapple then add the pineapple to the mix then I stir in the pine nuts and place the pineapple rings on top for looks. Since the cool whip is usually frozen it sets up pretty fast but I still try to chill it in the refrigerator for a couple of hours before serving it. No cooking involved and very quick to make for any holiday, potluck or party. Everyone has always loved it and requests it from me for every event. I have also made it with strawberry jello and used sliced strawberries in it and garnished the top with strawberry halves or orange jello with mandarins. You can pretty much mix it up with whatever variation you want to try and it’s probably going to come out awesome!
Barbara Freeman says
My mama made this for years at Thanksgiving and Christmas. I loved it then and now. After Mama died, I hunted the recipe till I found it in one of her old cookbooks. Made it for Christmas one year and no one seemed thrilled by it. I love it to this day and I make it whenever I think of things my Mama made that I loved. Makes it seem like she is near.
★★★★★
Sharon Burke says
I posted a photo of my Lime Jello on FB, made in the Tupperware bowl. My 21 year old grandson had posted it on Instagram shortly before he died unexpectedly. . His comment was the before and after photos are the same. All of his Instagram posts were printed in a memory book and I cherish this photo. I will make my Lime Jello again this year. I do a couple things different. I con’t fuss with draining and measuring the pineapple juice. I use 2 cups of water and the whole can of pineapple. Everything else is pretty much the same except I add a couple teaspoons of prepared horseradish. Gives it a good flavor.
Trisha Ramsey says
My Grandmother used to make this for her Canasta Group Luncheon. I cannot wait to make it for the holidays!
★★★★★
Susanne says
I always loved this as a kid! Somehow no one had the recipe written down and all are gone who used to make it. Thank you for sharing!
H McNeil says
My grandma has always made a version of this and called it green jello salad. She used cottage cheese, lime jello (mix and let dissolve) add cool whip, crushed pineapple (drained) and pecans or walnuts. Refrigerator for a couple hours before serving. This has been a favorite in our family for years!
★★★★
Len says
I also make this with jello, any canned fruits, cottage cheese and whipped cream. A friend of mine calls it “ Who died Dessert” because his Mom always took it to a repass when someone died! Lol.
Pat Puckett says
Still is family tradition for Christmas and Thanksgiving dinners. Ours has both lemon and lime jello. We call it Granmommies green desert.
Rocio says
I got a similar recipe in the 80’s using cream cheese instead of cottage cheese and chopped pecans instead of walnuts and no mayo, evaporated milk partially freeze blend with the cream cheese and the gelatin slightly set, pineapple and pecans add to the blended mix. It was very popular for bridal showers, baby showers, Sunday dinners or just as dessert for a normal meal. I regularly took it to the coworkers reunions they loved it.
Candace says
My grandmother, mom. Daughter, and myself made the version with cream cheese and pecans.
Lynne says
I also have a similar recipe that uses cream cheese and no mayo. It also has some chopped celery for extra crunch, Love it.
Tami gregg says
Could you email me this recipe, I’d love to try your version of this green jello recipe. Thank you.
[email protected]
Darlene says
I will be making this for Christmas and add some halved cherries on top so each square has one. It makes it more Christmassy with the red and green.
Maybe I need to make one today as a “tester” LOL
★★★★★
Shirley Allen says
Almost like my aunts her recipe had a little horseradish gave it a little zing. And I’m the only one that loves and misses it
★★★★★
Marylou Crum says
My family recipe calls for horseradish and since we are midwesterns we use black walnuts! It is a Summer salad for us, not usually served at Thanksgiving.
Pat Sparkman says
I love this recipe. Just as I remember it but didn’t have the correct measurements. Thank you.
★★★★★
Kathy says
I LOVE this salad. I grew up eating it and always loved it. My mother in law made it for Christmas and put in in a Christmas tree mold. After turning it out of the mold, she would “decorate “ the tree using red maraschino cherries. My best friend used to make it for me every year for my birthday. So many sweet memories.
★★★★★
LaLa says
My Mom uses the big tree mold also for Christmas!! 🎄 We use room temperature cream cheese & beat the crushed pineapple together. 😋💕💃
Margie Rosamond says
This recipe looks delicious. I will definitely be making it for the holidays.
★★★★★
Betty Ridenhour says
My Mom made this and now I do. Our twist though is we had 1 cup seven-up instead of water to make the jello – Gives it a little zing. I am the only one who eats it when I make it now but I really don’t care. I love it so much that I could eat the whole pan.
★★★★★
Grandma Lynda says
This was one of my great-aunt’s contributions to the Thanksgiving dinner each year. She added sweetened coconut and marichino cherries to hers. She also used Pistatios instead of walnuts. I really liked it. Actually made myself sick on it one year eating too much of it. LOL I think I was about 3 or 4. The next year I was more careful about how much I ate but I still ate it with gusto.
★★★★★
Elsie Ogle says
I make this but no mayo and add miniature marshmallows in the jello after its dissolved and stir until melted.
Carol B. McMillion says
And here is my mom’s recipe for her Green “Congealed Salad” that I posted last October 2018: “Carol Bell McMillion
October 1, 2018 ·
I ran across this worn recipe card of my mothers; it had been one of her’s, mine & my No. 1 son’s very favorite congealed salads. The name is not so imaginative but here goes: “Congealed Salad” takes 1 sm. box of lime Jello dissolved in 1 cup of boiling water. Let cool ’till like egg whites and add 1/2 cup of cottage cheese mashed fine, 1/2 cup mayonaise (i don’t use mayo so I don’t know how to spell it), 1/2 cup of evaporated milk, 1 teaspoon of lemon juice. Add to jello mixture mixing well. Pour in a shallow dish. Sprinkle chopped nuts if desired. (She used pecans.) This recipe has been in our household for at least 75 years as I remember her making it all of my life. Now she is long gone but her recipes are still in my recipe boxes and any cookbook I can get them in. Hope you enjoy it as much as my family has. If you make it in a 9×13″ pan then you must double the recipe….I think to make a single recipe I used an 11″x7″ pyrex dish. Sorry I forgot to mention. Whew.
11
★★★★★
Leslie says
Can you double or triple this in a larger pan?
Shari says
O yes! I H have made it by the gallons for big banquets. You can vary it many ways, too. It’s always just perfect, and so easy. Keeps for about a week, if it ever lasts that long. Everyone loves it.
Sandy says
My aunt made a variation of this salad that used cream cheese instead of cottage cheese. Looks just the same. We Always had it at every family dinner. I haven’t made it for years, but I love it. Will make it fir Thanksgiving!
Darlene says
My mom made it like this recipe but made two layers of the green and put a cream cheese layer in the middle. It was awesome.
Ronda says
How do you make the cream cheese layer,, [email protected]
Cinfy says
My Mom always made this especially for me, is he didn’t use mayo or milk. She used cream cheese (I think) and mini marshmallows. Do you think you could send me your recipe, so I can see if it sounds more like what I remember? I would love to try to make it. Thanks
Cindy says
My Mom used cream cheese too, I think. Never got recipe so I never have made it, but I loved too. Did you make it the same as this recipe and substitute cream cheese for cottage cheese, I don’t remember her using mayo or milk. Would you mind letting me know about your recipe so I could try to match Moms? Thanks
Amy Mallette says
My grandmother and my mother made this same salad. Here’s the kicker. Anyone remember the Tupperware molds with the different little holiday rounds you could put in the bottom so when you turned out the mold you had I know there was Christmas tree. I love this salad. Now I’ve got a craving. Guess I’m gonna have to dig up my mold and make it.
Judy Lalak says
I still have my Tupperware Mold with the Christmas Tree and Heart insert.I still use it. This is one of my Grandsons favorites. Still make it for all occasions.
Kathy Coleman says
We made a similar recipe–it had 1 pkg lemon and 1 pkg lime, whole can of evaporated milk, 1-2 T. horseradish, crushed pineapple, cottage cheese, but no mayo. I make it often. We always made it in the Tupperware mold for special occasions. I still have Mom’s in the cupboard.
Sherrie says
My grandmother in law used to make a jello recipe that was too colors, top was a yellowish color and bottom was a red color, it had cranberries in it but I dont remember what else, top layer had mayo, I think, in it. Anyone ever heard of this or have the recipe? I’ve tried to find it but have not been very successful.
Valerie says
I still have my Tupperware mold! I love the lime jello salad. My grandmother and mother always added onion to it. Thank you for sharing I still make it once in a while when my sister and I get together.
★★★★★
Julie Darden says
My Daddy used to make this at Christmas every year. He’s been gone for 11 years now. When I get a chance to make or have this, it just brings back so many memories of him and I have to smile. Thanks for sharing this recipe.
★★★★★
Doris says
Mine made it too but MoMA always tried different ones by using Mandarin oranges n can and orange jello. Another great recipe I make too that’s handied down is using cool whip and 2 cups buttermilk w green jello and nuts. Crushed pineapple and not the can cream or the cottage cheese. It’s great too.
Kay gialenios says
The only thing I do different is use sugar free jello! Love love this recipe!
★★★★★
Brynn says
What’s the recipe for that one?
Debra Bynum says
I have been making this for years. It was my husband Grandmother’s recipe. I make it every special holiday and birthdays. Every one loves it but I use the Lime and Lemon jello. Yum!
Anne Fox says
I have been making this every Christmas for our family meal as long as I can remember ( a long time). I use some cream cheese, mayonnaise and marshmallows but no cream. I also add chopped marchino cherries for color and taste. Looks just like your grands. Unfortunately, most of the ones that always loved this have passed. Now my oldest son eats it until the dish is empty and yes I still use my tupperware mold.
Dj says
Great lime Jell-O salad, we had it often and everyone loved it.
We always added “lemon Jell-O” with the “lime Jell-O” which created a milder taste, cottage cheese, I changed it to lactose free milk, crushed pineapple in natural juices, 1/2 cup mayonnaise and “black walnuts”. It is fabulous !!!
Always a family favorite in our Virginian southern household for generations💕
★★★★★
Ann says
Oh. My. Gosh. The photos are amazing. This lime jello salad is begging to be eaten. I’m seriously salivating as I’m writing this. I definitely adore its vibrant color. And I’m 100% sure it tastes like heaven. Ah, can’t stop writing. I’m saving this for later. Dying to try it. Thank you so much for this fabulous recipe. Such treasure.
★★★★★
Gertie L Baxter says
My mother- in-law made it she called it yum yum salad, she added celery and sometimes she would use strawberry jello ,I had misplaced the recipe, so glad I found yours. Thank you
★★★★★
Kara says
My grandpa used to make this! He didn’t use the mayo or evaporated milk though. And he added chopped celery. It is sooo yummy! I think I’ll make it this year.
★★★★★
Rebecca says
My mother made this, bit with cream cheese instead of mayo and mill, and added chopped celery.
★★★★★
Kaija says
Our family tradition for years. Got the recipe from an elderly lady who always made it for potlucks. The only difference is that our version looks different since you let the jello cool until just starting to gel and then whip it until it’s like meringue. Then carefully fold in rest of ingredients into the bowl and let set. So light and fluffy!
Sally says
My mother in law made a layered jello salad a little similar to this one.. the bottom clear lime layer had pieces of apple & cucumber in it & the top layer was a mixture of lime jello & cottage cheese mixed together.. served on lettuce with .. yup mayo! I made it for my husband often. Thanks for the memories!
Martha Lewis says
My mother made this for special occasions. I still make this. My mother used a package of lime and one of lemon jello in her recipe and I still make make mine this way. Love this salad.
Suzi Homemaker says
I love this salad! I couldn’t remember the recipe so I winged it . AFTER I mixed it up I decided to google it and discovered I needed 2 boxes of Jello and mayo! I’m crushed, just like the pineapple. So if worse comes to worse, I’ii have the best smoothie ever!!! LOL!
Thanks for the recipe and keeping the tradition alive!!!
★★★★★
Renee Blechner says
My mom made this for every family gathering. My kids love it. My mom called it hello salad but the kids called it green stuff and do to this day! Its delicious. My mom used mayo but I don’t remember the milk. Enjoy everyone.
Rosanne says
I always called this green stuff! My family has made this (in a mold) for holidays for years! Also, “pink stuff!”, a fluffy salad. Wish I had that recipe, too!
Karen says
My husband also loves this. His Mom used to make it for all the funerals at their church, so the kids named it Funeral Salad. Mom always insisted on calling it cottage cheese salad, but used 1 each lemon and lime jello
Kathy Thomas says
My mother made it every Xmas & when she was younger she put in cone shaped paper cups to congeal & turned it out on lettuce, so everyone had their own Christmas tree salad as she aged she just put in casserole dish & cut it. As you do I make it every Christmas instead of Thanksgiving. On Thanksgiving I do a congeal Coke Cola salad that she did every Thanksgiving. My daughter has my Mom’s recipes so hopefully she will continue the tradition when I’m gone!
Tammy says
Would love that recipe coke cola one as it sounds very good
Rick says
I have a similar recipe that uses a container of 6 ounce tub of Yoplait Key Lime Pie yogurt in place of the mayonnaise and evaporated milk. And I don’t use walnuts. I haven’t made it in about 20 years and have misplaced my recipe. Glad I found this.
Linda Coffman says
I grew up as an only child with not many traditions, then married into a huge family with a zillion traditions! This dish was served at every special get together and I loved it beyond words. My family ate plain food, nothing fancy
Now that the older generation is gone, I am the only one who will eat it and eat it I will!
★★★★★
Kathleen Casey says
Thanks for posting this recipe that also holds sweet memories for me. I’m looking for my late Auntie Bobbie’s lime jello salad with cottage cheese and pears, but this variation was a favorite too.
★★★★★
Cindy Parent says
That was such a sweet story about you and your hubbie. So cute and romantic. Happy salad eating, My family always turned ours out of the mold onto a bed of thinly sliced Iceburg lettuce, which is, I think, key! The crispy Iceburg balances out the smooth jello and enhances the overall flavor!
★★★★★
Ellen G. Bales says
I’ve been looking for this recipe for quite a while. My mother made it, or something very similar, when I was a child and I loved it then. I’m going to try it the way I remember her making it, with just the lime jello, pineapple and cottage cheese. No mayo, nuts or celery, as I recall. I think I will add the Cool Whip, though, because that sounds better for consistency.
Thank you for sharing this!
★★★★★
Cyndi says
My dad was a Superintendent at the plant where Jello & Cool Whip are made. He taught me to make this with Cool Whip, a large lime Jello (not cooked or in water, just powdered), crushed or chunky pineapple, & cottage cheese. It is awesome! It is just piled up in a bowl, it doesn’t gel cuz of the acid in the pineapple. My hubby loves it & if I take it to Daddy’s I know better than to try & bring any leftovers home! 🤣
Kasey says
My great grandma made it with lemon jello, mayonnaise, cream cheese and walnuts – deliscious! I just made a batch last night and can not wait to dig in!
Carolyn says
How much cream cheese?
Shirley Thompson says
It was my favorite recipe which I misplaced that belonged to my mother. I am 83 and remember her using cream cheese, maybe marshmellows and pecans. Lime jello and pineapple. Can you send me proportions, please? Thanks.
Jan says
My family thinks of this salad in the same way as Cranberry Fluff. My mother made it every Thanksgiving and I continue to make as she did. with mayonnaise and celery. I think of her every time I make this salad!
Michele says
My Mother made this same recipe every Thanksgiving. Same ingredients except hers also had 1/4 cup of chopped celery in it also.
Love this salad!!!!
judy hobday says
I do not remember milk, but otherwise same.
judy hobday says
this is a traditional recipe in my mothers side. Instead of two lime jellos they used one lime and one lemon. Otherwise the same and I am one of the very few who now days actually like this.
Leslie K McCoy says
Family “Secret” Time!! My Grandma King would make this every Christmas, but she made hers extra special! She would add drained & rinsed maraschino cherry halves to the mixture, let it start to set, then take the tines of a dinner fork and dip it into the cherry juice and splatter the cherry juice over the top of the salad. Left a pretty design on the green salad, perfect for a Christmas jello salad!
Robyn says
Hi Leslie! Thanks so much for the “splatter of cherry juice” tip from your Grandma King.
Making it for the first time this Christmas, & it will be so pretty!
Question for you and everyone else out there-has anyone had any luck with this recipe setting in a gelatin mold?
Thanks!
Cyndi says
The acid in the pineapple can keep the gelatin from setting.
Jackie corby says
My recipe typewritten years ago did not have mayo in it. Made it twice recently and it was terrible. I know it is right cause it was the original typewritten page. Anyone make it without mayo.
SCAROLINAMAMA says
My mom’s recipe did not have mayo and my daughter just asked me to please make it for thanksgiving. I love her recipe still!
Barb Miller says
I have substituted cream cheese with it. I know it sounds gross with mayo and all but it is really yummy either way….
Eloise says
My momma made hers with cream cheese as well! Delicious!!
Holly says
I worked at Furr’s Cafeteria in the late ’70s/early ’80s, and this is actually the recipe for Furr’s signature “Lime Delight” salad/dessert (with the exception of walnuts being used instead of the pecans it’s supposed to have).
I’ve been searching for this recipe for ages. I remembered the ingredients we used, but never knew the measurements to make a family-sized version — I only *barely* remember the amounts used for making huge restaurant-sized quantities. Thanks for this!
Melinda Moore says
As I have been reading all the comments about this Jello salad, I remembered that I always got it as a youngster at a cafeteria my family frequented. I was thinking it was either Wyatt’s Cafeteria or Luby’s Cafeteria here in Texas….but when I read your post, I suddenly remembered…yes, it was Furr’s Cafeteria in Fort Worth! Did they put celery in it ?
★★★★★
Lyndsee says
It looks good and sounds nasty with mayonnaise, but I grew up with my grandma making it with only 3 of those ingredients and it is delicious!!!!
Jackie corby says
What were the three ingredients
nancy lasley says
My mom always made this but no mayo or milk, and it was fabulous and a favorite of everyone’s (astounding only your husband likes it! but so nice of you to i make it anyway). Being a vegetarian for 40 yrs I haven’t had it in a long time but my son recently told me about some vegan jello he found so am looking forward to making it again 🙂
dave says
What size Pyrex dish? 9×13?
brandie says
Hi Dave,
An 8×8″ is the size we use.
Bonnie says
Brandie, Your recipe comes closest to the one we have every holiday; and yes, no one eats it but my husband because his mother made it for the family gatherings.
Donna Maloney says
I’ve been making this salad for 40 years. Mine came from an old Methodist cookbook. I use 1 box of lime and 1 of lemon. Also mine uses condensed milk rather than evaporated. It also calls for pecans. I also use the Tupperware molds.