Creamy Mandarin Orange Salad

Mandarin Orange Salad is creamy, cool, and studded with juicy orange and pineapple pieces. Fluffy as a cloud, I like to make this old-fashioned salad for potlucks and get-togethers. The creamy texture and sweet and tart flavors are a crowd-pleaser! The best part is that I can whip it in minutes with just 5 ingredients.

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Mandarin Orange Salad is not a 30-minute meal. It takes so much less time than that! You can whip up any of my quick one-pot dinner recipes and still have enough time to finish this recipe. Seriously, the most time-consuming part of this dish is opening the fruit cans and box of Jell-O. This dessert is so easy to make and such a delicious treat. You’ve got those sweet oranges and pineapples surrounded by creamy swirls of cottage cheese and whipped topping. It’s almost hard to believe that it’s a healthier treat!

Why you will love this recipe 

• Just 5 ingredients: With just some fruit, gelatin, whipped cream, and cottage cheese, this delightful dessert can be made so easily!  
• It is so fast: It takes about as long as it takes to open the cans. Then mix the ingredients and let it chill. That is all there is to it!
• Light and fluffy: I always make a double batch because it is so light and everyone always wants seconds. The gelatin is sugar-free, so it is not high in carbs or calories.
• Perfect for picnics: During the summer, I often take this to family barbecues and picnics because it is so cool and refreshing. Everyone seems to love it. 

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What you will need

• Produce: I get canned Mandarin oranges because I don’t have to worry about whether they are in season; there are no bitter, rough membranes to deal with, and there is a lot less prep work. Also, they are always sweet and juicy since they are picked at the peak of their ripeness. Pineapple chunks add a tangy, bright flavor with a firm, slightly chewy texture. I use canned pineapples because it is easier; they are always ripe, and the heating process they use destroys the bromelain, which breaks down the gelatin. 
• Wet ingredients: The curds in the rich, moist cottage cheese provide a slightly chunky texture that blends well with the orange gelatin, adding a hint of saltiness. I use thawed Cool Whip to mix with the gelatin and cottage chees, giving it a light,d fluffy texture with no watery separation.  
• Dry ingredients: The gelatin adds a sweet-and-tart flavor to the base and a sunny orange color. I use a small (3-ounce) box of Jell-O gelatin because I trust that brand always to have the best flavor. 

How to prepare

Mix the ingredients: First, I mix all the ingredients well in a large bowl.

Chill for several hours: Then, I place it in the fridge to chill for several hours. I like to make mine the night before. 

Garnish and serve: Before serving, I top it with extra Mandarin oranges and pineapple chunks. 

Expert tip

The best cottage cheese for this recipe

I highly recommend small-curd, regular cottage cheese. My favorite brand is Good Culture because the small curds have minimal watery pooling, and they blend smoothly into the whipped topping and gelatin. I always get the kind with whole milk because it provides the richest flavor and creamiest consistency. Avoid using non-fat because it can become watery when mixed with the gelatin. 

More tips to consider:

• Be sure to drain the fruit. Save it for smoothies, drink it, or add it to another recipe. 
• Thaw the whipped topping in the refrigerator the night before so it blends in smoothly with no chunks. 
• Fold the whipped topping gently with a spatula, so it stays fluffy and light. 
• Don’t rush the chill time. I like to make mine the night before and let it chill overnight. 
• For toddlers, slice the fruit into smaller pieces to prevent choking.

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Recipe variations and add-ins:

• Different pineapple: Try this with pineapple gelatin to bring out the pineapple’s flavor. Or use a completely different flavor, like strawberry, peach, lemon, or lime. 
• Other fruits: I have also made this with other fruits mixed in, like maraschino cherries, which made this dish incredible. Dried fruits would also be delicious, such as cranberries or raisins.
• No cottage cheese? For those who don’t like it, use cream cheese, Greek yogurt, or sour cream. 
• Creamier orange fluff: To make it even creamier (and sweeter), use a box of instant orange pudding mix instead of cottage cheese.
• Green Mandarin orange salad: Leave out the fluffy stuff and toss the oranges with greens, walnuts, dried cranberries, feta cheese, and red cider vinegar. 

Serving suggestions:

My favorite meal to serve this with is Chipotle orange chicken. It is crispy, sweet, and spicy on the outside with tender, juicy meat on the inside. And it is so simple to make in less than 30 minutes. The tangy orange sauce has just the right amount of spiciness from the chipotle chili, with the sweetness of honey and brown sugar to keep it mild. It also pairs well with peach pork chops, thanks to their sweet-and-savory combination that can be cooked all in one pan. 

This kind of dish is so versatile; it can be served as a dessert, side dish, or appetizer. It is sweet but also has fruit and cottage cheese, so I like to consider it a light lunch. I have also served it to the ladies at brunch, with pineapple mojitos and orange-cranberry sangrias. The fruity flavors taste wonderful together. If I have any non-drinkers, I can easily leave out the booze!

How to store leftovers:

• Refrigerate: Be sure to refrigerate leftovers in a sealed container. They will stay fresh for 3 days in the fridge. However, the fruit will release liquid, so mix well before stirring.  
• Freezing: Freezing is not recommended.  

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Frequently asked questions

More salad recipes:

• Grilled Chicken Fajita Salad Recipe
• Crunchy Coleslaw Pasta Salad
• Homemade Caesar Recipe
• BLT Salad Recipe with Blue Cheese Dressing
• Greek Salad with Homemade Dressing

5 from 8 votes

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Mandarin Orange Salad

Prep Time

15 mins

Total Time

15 mins

 

Mandarin Orange Salad is ready in just 15 minutes. Fluffy as a cloud, creamy, cool, and studded with juicy slices of orange and pineapple.

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Mandarin Orange Salad

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 301 kcal

Author: Catalina Castravet

Ingredients

• 2 small cans mandarin oranges drained
• 1 20oz can pineapple chunks drained
• 1 package sugar-free orange-flavored gelatin
• 16 ounces frozen whipped topping thawed
• 1 cup cottage cheese

Instructions

1. Add all ingredients to a large bowl and stir to combine.

2. Refrigerate for several hours before serving.

3. Top with more mandarin oranges and pineapple chunks before serving.

Recipe Notes

The best cottage cheese for this recipe

I highly recommend small-curd, regular cottage cheese. My favorite brand is Good Culture because the small curds have minimal watery pooling, and they blend smoothly into the whipped topping and gelatin. I always get the kind with whole milk because it provides the richest flavor and creamiest consistency. Avoid using non-fat because it can become watery when mixed with the gelatin. 

More tips to consider:

• Be sure to drain the fruit. Save it for smoothies, drink it, or add it to another recipe. 
• Thaw the whipped topping in the refrigerator the night before so it blends in smoothly with no chunks. 
• Fold the whipped topping gently with a spatula, so it stays fluffy and light. 
• Don’t rush the chill time. I like to make mine the night before and let it chill overnight. 
• For toddlers, slice the fruit into smaller pieces to prevent choking.

Nutrition Facts

Mandarin Orange Salad

Amount Per Serving

Calories 301 Calories from Fat 135

% Daily Value*

Fat 15g23%

Saturated Fat 13g81%

Cholesterol 2mg1%

Sodium 88mg4%

Potassium 284mg8%

Carbohydrates 39g13%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 37g41%

Protein 4g8%

Vitamin A 1717IU34%

Vitamin C 42mg51%

Calcium 95mg10%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.