Strawberry Jello Salad Dessert

Fluffy, fruity, and full of flavor, this Strawberry Jello Salad is a dessert recipe from my childhood that hasn’t gone out of style. Twenty-five years later it’s still just as delicious! It might quickly become your new go-to treat. 

Strawberry Jello Salad Dessert:

It’s time for another old-fashioned recipe, and once again, it is coming from my great-aunt Maggie. I’ve mentioned her a few times here. I recently shared her ice cream salad recipe and a while back, her pumpkin roll recipe. (Can you tell I’m a fan of her desserts?) 

Strawberry Jello Salad was on her list of frequented recipes and probably one of my personal favorites. It’s basically a fluffy, (almost marshmallow-like but not sticky) cold dessert that is filled with strawberries and has a layer of bananas at the bottom. 

While growing up, I visited my aunt’s house (which was also my dad’s house) every other weekend and this Strawberry Jello Salad was in the dessert rotation. I remember that she made it in a semi-transparent white plastic Tupperware container with a matching lid. Yes, I can still see it and taste it.  I would eat it like it was my job. 

I haven’t had this dessert in years and this was my first go at making the recipe. It was a wonderful and delicious trip down memory lane. I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again – time travel is real. Just make/enjoy a recipe from your past and you’ll know what I mean. 

I think that’s enough of my little nostalgic trip, so let me walk you through the recipe. 

Ingredients:

You only need five ingredients (plus water) to make this Strawberry Jello Salad. 

• Strawberry Jello: Classic strawberry Jello adds flavor and binds this dessert together. 
• Dream Whip: this might be a new ingredient to you, but it’s pretty old-fashioned. It’s a powdered mix that makes really fluffy whipped topping. This gives the dessert its airy texture. 
• Milk: This gets mixed with the Dream Whip. 
• Bananas: Bananas act as a surprise bottom layer for this dessert. If you’re not a fan of bananas you can leave them out. 
• Strawberries: Fresh strawberries are my preferred choice. My aunt used to make it with frozen strawberries and I never really loved them. 

And with that, we’re ready to get out our mixers and whip this dessert salad up! 

How to Make:

I will explain the recipe here, but you can find a detailed ingredients list and instructions in the printable recipe card below.

1. Begin by mixing the Jello with two cups of hot water in a medium-sized bowl. Whisk until dissolved. Add one cup of cold water, whisk to combine, then refrigerator until firm. 
2. Once set and firm, line a 2 quart (8×12) baking dish with banana slices. 

3. In a large bowl with a hand mixer (or stand mixer) beat the milk with two envelopes of Dream Whip until stiff. Add the Jello and beat until the Jello is incorporated and the mix is fluffy. 

4. Fold in the sliced strawberries. 

5. Pour this mixture into your banana-lined pan and level with a spatula. 

6. Refrigerate for three to four hours to set. 

Garnish with additional strawberries (optional), slice, serve, and enjoy!

Recipe Notes:

A few quick notes:

• This will last for about three to four days covered and refrigerated. You can definitely make this a day in advance if you’re short on time the day you want to serve it.
• As I mentioned above, fresh strawberries are recommended.
• I haven’t tried alternatives for the Dream Whip. If you happen to try homemade whipped cream or Cool Whip and it works well for you, please let me know.
• If you’re not a fan of bananas, you can skip them or use some other fruit for the base layer. I really like the sweetness and creaminess of the banana, but feel free to make it your own.
• I recommend a 2-quart or 8×12 inch pan. (I used this one HERE.) You can use a 9×13 inch pan, but your dessert won’t be as high and you may need an additional banana.

Ready to Serve!

Pretty easy, right? If you don’t count the time it takes for the Jello to set, you can whip this dessert together in under twenty minutes. It’s really simple.

This Strawberry Jello Salad is perfect for summer, but you can serve it all year long. I think it would be fun to dress it up for Valentine’s Day or even Christmas! The color would be perfect!

I hope you’ll give this recipe a try! If you do and enjoy it, I would LOVE to hear about it. Stop back and leave a comment/star rating below. Enjoy!

More Strawberry Recipes You May Enjoy

• Strawberry Crunch Cake
• Homemade Strawberry Shortcakes
• Strawberry Coconut Cake
• Strawberry Rhubarb Crumble Pie
• Strawberry Ice Cream Cheesecake
• Strawberry Hand Pies

I hope you’ll try this strawberry jello dessert. I know you’re going to love it! If you do, please leave a comment and a 5-star rating below. 

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Strawberry Jello Salad

Fluffy, fruity, and full of flavor, this Strawberry Jello Salad is a dessert recipe from my childhood that hasn’t gone out of style. Twenty-five years later it’s still just as delicious! It might quickly become your new go-to treat.

5 from 2 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: American

Keyword: dessert, jello, old fashioned, strawberry

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Chilling Time:: 3 hours hours

Total Time: 3 hours hours 20 minutes minutes

Servings: 8

Calories: 190kcal

Ingredients

• 2 boxes (3 ounces each) strawberry Jello
• 2 envelopes Dream Whip
• ¾ cup milk
• 2 bananas peeled and sliced
• 2 cups hulled and chopped strawberries

Instructions

• Begin by mixing the Jello with two cups of hot water in a medium-sized bowl. Whisk until dissolved. Add one cup of cold water, whisk to combine, then refrigerator until firm.
• Once set and firm, line a 2 quart (8×12) baking dish with banana slices.
• In a large bowl with a hand mixer (or stand mixer) beat the milk with two envelopes of Dream Whip until stiff. Add the Jello and beat until the Jello is incorporated and the mix is fluffy.
• Fold in the sliced strawberries.
• Pour this mixture into your banana-lined pan and level with a spatula.
• Refrigerate for three to four hours to set.
• Garnish with additional strawberries (optional), slice, serve, and enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 190kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 20mg | Sodium: 110mg | Potassium: 230mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 27g | Vitamin A: 214IU | Vitamin C: 24mg | Calcium: 59mg | Iron: 0.3mg