Sunny Mandarin Orange Jello Salad Recipe: Sweet Citrus Joy

Summer gatherings call for a refreshing mandarin orange jello salad that sparkles with tropical brightness.

Cool, creamy textures dance through this delightful dessert.

Sweet mandarin segments nestle perfectly within a cloud-like marshmallow and whipped cream base.

Every spoonful delivers a burst of sunny citrus flavor that makes taste buds sing.

The recipe blends simplicity with elegant charm, creating a crowd-pleasing side dish that feels both nostalgic and modern.

Vibrant colors and delicate layers promise a dessert that looks as delicious as it tastes.

You’ll want to bookmark this recipe for your next potluck or summer celebration.

Storing Mandarin Orange Jello Salad Easily

• Smart Refrigeration Strategy: Store the Mandarin Orange Jello Salad in an airtight container to maintain its fresh, creamy texture and prevent flavor absorption from other foods in the refrigerator.
• Shelf Life Magic: This delightful dessert stays deliciously fresh for 3-4 days when kept consistently chilled, making it an excellent make-ahead treat for gatherings or quick family desserts.
• Portion Control Trick: Consider using individual serving cups or mason jars for easy single-serving portions that can be quickly grabbed from the refrigerator and enjoyed without additional preparation.
• Freezing Option: While best consumed fresh, you can freeze this jello salad in sealed containers for up to 2 weeks. Thaw in the refrigerator for several hours before serving to restore its original creamy consistency.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes

Calories: 180 kcal

Servings: 9

Mandarin Orange Jello Salad Ingredient Highlights

• Orange Gelatin: Provides vibrant citrus flavor and creates the signature jelly texture with a sunny, bright appeal.
• Vanilla Cook-And-Serve Pudding Mix: Adds creamy richness and helps stabilize the dessert's structure with a smooth, luxurious touch.
• Hot Water: Essential for dissolving gelatin and pudding mix, creating a seamless, silky base.

• Mandarin Oranges: Brings sweet, tangy bursts of sunshine with delicate, tender segments that add refreshing brightness and natural sweetness.

• Cool Whip: Delivers light, airy clouds of sweetness that crown the dessert with a cloud-like, delicate finish and creates a dreamy, soft texture.

Tools for Crafting Mandarin Orange Jello Salad

• Large Saucepan: Essential for boiling and mixing gelatin and pudding mixture thoroughly.
• Large Mixing Bowl: Perfect for chilling and combining all ingredients smoothly.
• Potato Masher: Great tool for blending Cool Whip into the jello mixture without creating lumps.
• Wooden Spoon or Whisk: Helpful for stirring ingredients while heating and mixing.
• Colander or Strainer: Needed to drain mandarin oranges before adding to the salad.
• Refrigerator: Necessary for chilling and setting the dessert.

Steps to Mix and Chill Mandarin Orange Jello Salad

• Gelatin Base Preparation

Combine orange gelatin, vanilla pudding mix, and steaming water in a large cooking pot. Allow the mixture to bubble and transform into a vibrant, translucent liquid while stirring continuously.

• Cooling and Setting

Transfer the bright orange mixture into a spacious container. Let it rest in the refrigerator for several hours until it becomes firm and completely solidified.

• Whipped Cream Integration

Gently introduce fluffy whipped topping into the chilled mixture. Use a potato masher to create a smooth, creamy texture that blends seamlessly.

• Citrus Fruit Incorporation

Carefully add drained mandarin orange segments into the creamy mixture. Softly fold the fruit throughout, preserving the delicate orange pieces.

• Final Presentation

Keep the dessert chilled until serving time. This make-ahead treat offers a delightful, stress-free option for gatherings or family desserts.

Flavor Ideas for Mandarin Jello Salads

• Citrus Zest Techniques: Gently fold mandarin oranges at the last moment to preserve their delicate texture and prevent breaking, ensuring each bite bursts with fresh fruit flavor.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare this dessert a day in advance, allowing flavors to meld and develop a richer, more complex taste profile that will impress your guests.
• Creamy Texture Secrets: Use a potato masher when mixing Cool Whip to create a smoother, more consistent texture that blends the gelatin and pudding perfectly without creating lumps.
• Flavor Boosting Tricks: Experiment with different fruit additions like crushed pineapple or sliced strawberries to add extra depth and personal flair to the classic recipe, creating a unique dessert every time.
• Serving Suggestions: Garnish with a sprinkle of orange zest or a few reserved mandarin orange segments to elevate the presentation and add a fresh, vibrant touch to the final dish.

Serving Mandarin Orange Jello Salad Cold

• Citrus Party Platter: Serve this vibrant dessert on a beautiful white ceramic platter garnished with fresh mint leaves for a pop of color and freshness.
• Tropical Topping Twist: Sprinkle toasted coconut flakes or chopped pecans on top to add a delightful crunch and enhance the mandarin orange flavor profile.
• Dessert Beverage Pairing: Complement the sweet jello salad with a light, chilled moscato wine or a crisp sparkling orange-infused water for a refreshing accompaniment.
• Brunch Centerpiece Styling: Create individual parfait-style servings in clear glass dessert cups to showcase the beautiful orange hues and layered texture of the dish.

Tangy Mandarin Orange Jello Salad

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 25 reviews

• Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Creamy mandarin orange Jello salad combines tangy citrus with marshmallow sweetness. Cool whip and mandarin segments create a refreshing dessert you’ll enjoy at summer gatherings.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 8 oz (226 g) Cool Whip
• 4 cups hot water
• 1 package (6 oz / 170 g) orange gelatin
• 2 packages (3 oz / 85 g) vanilla cook-and-serve pudding mix
• 1 can (16 oz / 454 g) mandarin oranges, drained

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Preparation: Whisk orange gelatin, vanilla pudding mix, and boiling water in a saucepan, stirring continuously until the mixture reaches a rolling boil.
2. Cooking: Continue stirring for five minutes, developing a vibrant orange liquid with a glossy, translucent appearance that indicates complete ingredient integration.
3. Chilling: Transfer the mixture to a mixing bowl and refrigerate for a minimum of four hours or overnight, allowing complete solidification.
4. Blending: Fold Cool Whip into the set gelatin using a potato masher, creating a light, creamy texture that harmonizes with the orange base.
5. Finishing: Gently drain mandarin orange segments and incorporate them into the chilled mixture, ensuring even distribution while maintaining the integrity of each orange slice.
6. Serving: Refrigerate the completed salad to allow flavors to meld and texture to become perfectly chilled, then serve as a refreshing and visually appealing dessert.

Notes

• Boil Precisely: Maintain consistent stirring during the boiling process to prevent ingredient separation and ensure a smooth, uniform texture.
• Chill Thoroughly: Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight to allow complete gelatin setting and flavor development.
• Fold Gently: Use a delicate folding technique when adding Cool Whip and mandarin oranges to preserve the light, airy consistency and prevent ingredient breakdown.
• Serve Chilled: Keep the dessert refrigerated until serving to maintain its optimal texture and refreshing taste.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 5 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 180
• Sugar: 22 g
• Sodium: 160 mg
• Fat: 5 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 34 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 10 mg