An easy, sweet side dish that you can throw together in 5 minutes. This Cranberry Salad is perfect for the Thanksgiving table, or for any night!
Looking for more sweet salads? Try this Snickers Salad, this Apple Pomegranate Salad, this Ambrosia Salad, or this Strawberry Pretzel Salad.
Cranberry Salad
I love trying new recipes. I think that’s pretty obvious. But I realized something a few weeks back as I was talking to my mom. When it comes to Thanksgiving, as much as I’d like to try out a new recipe or two, I really like the same recipes that we’ve been making year after year. We have to have the festive green beans, and the Goodman fruit salad. The celery stuffed with pimento cheese, and my sister’s sausage stuffing. And the cranberry salad.
Also known as Cranberry Fluff, this cranberry salad has graced our Thanksgiving table for as long as I can remember. It’s one of those salads – like the Snicker’s Salad – that tastes more like dessert than an actual side dish. But hey – any excuse to have dessert on our plate next to the turkey is a good excuse, right? As we were putting together the menu this year, and assignments were being given out, I realized that Cranberry Salad was no where to be found. Only half of the family is going to be there, so a few things got cut out, simply because we don’t need as much food. But Thanksgiving just isn’t Thanksgiving without this salad, so I jumped in and said that I would bring it. The great thing about this salad is that it literally takes 5 minutes to stir together, and you can stick it in the freezer ahead of time. In fact, I made this yesterday and will keep it in the freezer until Thursday. Just bring it out of the freezer 30-45 minutes before serving it.
Even if you are a traditionalist, and like to have the same thing on the table year after year, this side dish is one that you’ll want to add in!
Ingredients in Cranberry Salad
All you need are 6 simple ingredients for this Cranberry Salad:
- sweetened condensed milk
- lemon juice
- whole berry cranberry sauce
- crushed pineapple
- chopped nuts
- frozen whipped topping, thawed
Tips for Making this Cranberry Salad
- This salad can easily be made the day before. Just make sure you take it out of the freezer at least 30 minutes before serving so that it’s not frozen solid.
- You can use any nuts that you like. I prefer pecans. Or you can leave out the nuts completely, as well.
- Freshly squeezed lemon juice is much better than the pre-bottled lemon juice.
See how to make this Cranberry Salad here
More Thanksgiving Recipes that are on our table every year!
The BEST Sweet Potato Casserole
Lion House Rolls Dinner Rolls
Apple Cranberry and Sausage Dressing
Sour Cream Apple Pie
Sparkling Cranberry Punch
Cranberry Salad
Ingredients
- 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1 14 oz can whole berry cranberry sauce
- 1 20 oz can crushed pineapple drained
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts*
- 1 8 oz container frozen whipped topping thawed
Instructions
- In a large bowl, stir together the sweetened condensed milk and lemon juice. Add in the cranberries, pineapple and nuts. Fold in the whipped topping.
- Freeze for 20 minutes before serving.
- If making ahead, keep in the freezer and bring out 30 minutes before serving.
darla coffman says
Thank you for your recipes. I am definitely going to make your herbed turkey breast this year. Cant wait. Sounds delicious
tammy leffew says
If you make it the day before do you leave it in the freezer the whole time? At any point does it just go in the frig??
Deborah says
I would put it in the fridge a few hours before serving so that it’s thawed enough to scoop it.
Lynda Conway says
Recipe sounds delicious! I’m making it for Thanksgiving, but I have one question. Would it be possible to replace the canned cranberry sauce with homemade cranberry sauce?
Deborah says
I haven’t tried it, but I would think that would work just fine!
Linda K says
Am trying this recipe for the first time. Can you substitute lite coconut milk for the sweetened condensed milk?
Kady says
What is the serving size?
Deborah says
Sorry – that is missing on the recipe card! You should be able to get 10-12 side dish servings.
Karly says
I am such a sucker for a good fluff salad. And this is anything but an exception. Looks SO good– definitely needs to be on my Thanksgiving table! Can’t wait to try it out!
Deborah says
Thanks Karly – they are definitely irresistible, aren’t they? 😉
Kim Kenty says
YUM!
Kim of Mo'Betta says
Making this for tomorrow! It is exactly that little extra something I was looking for!
Becki's Whole Life says
I think every Thanksgiving table needs a yummy dessert-like salad like this. Love this – I am going to add this to my list! Kids will love this:-)