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This Cherry Coca-Cola Jello Salad is a nostalgic, crowd-pleasing treat that blends tart cherries, sweet pineapple, crunchy pecans, and a fizzy kick from Coca-Cola for a fun twist on the classic. With simple prep, it’s perfect for holidays, potlucks, or any time you need a make-ahead dish. I love how easy it is to customize with different molds or ingredients, making it both versatile and delicious.
This Cherry Cola Jello Salad takes me right back to my childhood. It’s a recipe I got from my dear friend Karen, and every time I make it, I’m reminded of those fun family gatherings where jello salads were always part of the spread. It’s one of those dishes that has that retro vibe but still feels just right today. And for good reason! It’s a hit each and every time I serve it.
I know how hectic life can get, especially when you’re juggling kids, work, and all the things in between. That’s why I love recipes like this—something fun, easy, and guaranteed to bring smiles. Whether for a holiday, potluck or just a family dinner, this jello salad is always a crowd-pleaser.
If you’re like me and love a make-ahead recipe that looks impressive but requires minimal effort, this one is a keeper!
Ingredient Notes
You will want to keep these ingredients stocked in the pantry for when you need a stress-free, stunning dessert. You can whip this up in 10 minutes, pop it in the fridge to chill, and your family or guests will surely be impressed!
How To Make Coca-Cola Jello Salad
✱ Be sure to see the recipe card below for exact ingredients and full recipe instructions!
- Start by draining the cherries and pineapple, making sure to save all the liquid in a measuring cup. You’ll need 2 cups of liquid, so if you don’t have quite enough from the fruit, just top it off with water.
If you prefer your jello a little less sweet, you can use only water instead of the juice—it’s totally up to you! - Next, pour the liquid into a saucepan and bring it to a boil. Once it’s bubbling, take it off the heat and stir in the gelatin until it completely dissolves.
Now, here’s an important step: pop it in the fridge for 30 to 40 minutes, just until it gets syrupy (but not fully set). If you add the fruit and cola too soon, they’ll sink to the bottom, and we want everything to be nicely suspended in the jello. - Once the gelatin has thickened a bit, add in the Coca-Cola, drained pineapple, cherries, and pecans.
- Mix everything together until it’s well combined.
- Then, pour it into your favorite jello mold, a 9×13 dish, a trifle bowl, or even individual containers. Cover and refrigerate for 3 to 4 hours, or better yet, overnight, until it’s fully set.
Recipe Tips
- Canned Pineapple works best in this recipe. Fresh pineapple has enzymes that break down the gelatin, preventing Jello from setting up properly.
- Cool the Jello Properly: Make sure the gelatin cools until it’s syrupy before adding the soda, fruit, and nuts. If it’s too warm, the soda’s carbonation will dissipate, and the fruit and nuts might sink to the bottom.
- Use Different Molds: To create a more eye-catching presentation, try using a fun jello mold, a bundt pan, or even individual cups (I love these footed ones). This also serves beautifully in a trifle dish. Just remember to lightly grease the mold for easy removal or dip the mold in warm water, and the jello will slide out easily.
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Variations and Substitutions
- Jello Flavors: While cherry or black cherry are traditional, you can mix things up with strawberry, raspberry, cranberry, or even lime for a different flavor profile. Each option adds its own unique twist, so feel free to experiment!
- Soda Options: Coca-Cola is classic, but you can try cherry cola, Dr. Pepper, or even root beer for a fun variation. I’m making a lime version next with Sprite.
Recipe FAQs for Cherry Coke Salad
Not at all! You can leave out the pecans if you prefer a smoother texture or need a nut-free version. You can also substitute them with walnuts or almonds for a different crunch.
This jello salad can be made up to 24 hours in advance. Just be sure to cover it well and refrigerate it so it stays fresh and fully sets before serving. Wait to add whipped topping if using just before serving.
The gelatin needs to be syrupy before adding the fruit and soda. If it’s too liquidy, the fruit and nuts will sink to the bottom. Let it cool and thicken for about 30-45 minutes before mixing in the other ingredients.
Yes, fresh cherries can be used; some people even use cherry pie filling. I prefer the texture and tartness from the canned tart cherries.
Storage for Cherry Coke Salad
To store your Cherry Coca-Cola Jello Salad, make sure to cover it tightly with plastic wrap or transfer it to an airtight container before placing it in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for 3 to 4 days and maintain its texture. If you’ve made it in a mold, you can leave it covered in the mold until you’re ready to serve.
Make Ahead: This is a perfect dish to make a day in advance. It makes for a great holiday or entertaining dessert, so it lightens the load the day of the event.
Avoid freezing this salad, as the gelatin and fruit will lose their texture and become watery once thawed. Keeping it chilled in the fridge ensures it stays firm and delicious!
What to Serve with Cherry Jello Salad
Cherry Coca-Cola Jello Salad pairs wonderfully with a variety of dishes, especially for holidays, potlucks, or summer barbecues. Here are a few great serving ideas:
- Main Dishes: Serve alongside savory dishes like roasted ham, turkey, or pork tenderloin. The sweet and tart flavors of the jello salad complement rich meats perfectly.
- Side Dishes: Pair it with creamy sides like mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, or casseroles. Its light and fruity taste balances out heavier dishes on the table.
- Dessert Spread: It can also work as part of a dessert spread. Pair it with other vintage desserts like ambrosia, fruit salad, or even a simple pound cake for a retro-inspired sweet table.
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Cherry Jello Salad with Coca Cola
Ingredients
- 1 package Jello (Cherry or Black Cherry), 6 ounce package
- 16 ounce can crushed pineapple, drained, juice reserved, (2- 8-ounce cans)
- 15 ounce can pitted bing cherries
- 2 cups juices from pineapple and cherries, (or water)
- 8 ounces Coca-Cola, 1 cup
- ½ cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- Drain cherries and pineapple, reserving the liquid in a measuring cup. Set fruit aside and add enough water to measure 2 cups (likewise you can use all water to cut the sweetness a bit).
- In a medium saucepan, bring the liquid to a boil. Remove from heat and add the gelatin, stirring to dissolve (about 2 minutes). Let it cool in the refrigerator for 30 – 40 minutes or until syrupy (you do not want it to fully set). The gelatine needs to become syrupy first before adding the cola, fruit, and nuts so they don’t all sink to the bottom.
- Pour in the cola, pineapple, cherries, and nuts and stir until combined. Pour into a jello mold, 9 X 13 dish, trifle bowl, or individual containers. Cover and refrigerate until the gelatin is completely set, about 3 to 4 hours or overnight.
- Garnish with stemmed cherries, mint, and whipped cream if desired.
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Notes
Storage
To store, make sure to cover it tightly with plastic wrap or transfer it to an airtight container before placing it in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for 3 to 4 days and maintain its texture. If you’ve made it in a mold, you can leave it covered in the mold until you’re ready to serve. Make Ahead: This is a perfect dish to make a day in advance. It makes for a great holiday or entertaining dessert, so it lightens the load the day of the event. Avoid freezing this salad, as the gelatin and fruit will lose their texture and become watery once thawed. Keeping it chilled in the fridge ensures it stays firm and delicious!TIPS:
- Canned Pineapple works best in this recipe. Fresh pineapple has enzymes that break down the gelatin, preventing Jello from setting up properly.
- Cool the Jello Properly: Make sure the gelatin cools until it’s syrupy before adding the soda, fruit, and nuts. If it’s too warm, the soda’s carbonation will dissipate, and the fruit and nuts might sink to the bottom.
- Use Different Molds: To create a more eye-catching presentation, try using a fun jello mold, a bundt pan, or even individual dessert bowls or cups (I love these footed ones). This also serves beautifully in a trifle dish. Just remember to lightly grease the mold for easy removal or dip the mold in warm water, and the jello will slide out easily.
Nutrition Information
Nutritional Disclaimer
Soulfully Made is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.
©️Soulfully Made
Excellent, my Mom never liked cherries or cherry jello but boy did she make this disappear from her plate. I had to make this for every family doing for her. Asked for it all the time. It’s a keeper.
I love it, Barb! Thanks for sharing this with us! It’s such a classic dish we always enjoy too!