Most families have that one go-to holiday salad. It gets placed in the center of the table and is gobbled down right away. This cranberry salad is that kind of salad.
It is loaded with fresh fruit like cranberries, apples, and grapes, full of fluffy miniature marshmallows, and all brought together with homemade whipped cream.
It is the perfect side dish for your next turkey dinner or the ideal addition to your dessert table.
Make sure to check out all our other recipes or the frequently asked questions below to find out what to pair it with! This healthy cranberry salad is sure to be the star of your next holiday meal.
If you prefer a savory salad, let me suggest a Homemade Caesar Salad, or if you really love that sweet flavor of fruits in your salad this Healthy Waldorf Salad might be the one for you.
Cranberry Salad Ingredients
- 3 cups fresh or thawed frozen cranberries – if cranberries are in season where you are, I highly recommend using fresh ones. You can either chop the berries or leave them whole.
- 1 cup green grapes, halved – grapes add an extra layer of tanginess to this salad; they are like little bursts of fresh flavor. Red grapes can also be used.
- 2 cups miniature marshmallows – marshmallows help keep this recipe light and fluffy. They also absorb all the delicious fruit flavors.
- 1 medium apple, chopped – the apple adds a nice crunch to the salad and holds its texture well even when this sits overnight. Any apple will work, so pick your favorite!
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar – the fruit in this salad provides a lot of natural sweetness, so not much sugar is needed.
- 1/8 tsp salt – a touch of salt helps balance out the sweetness.
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream – freshly whipped cream gives this salad the right amount of creaminess without being too heavy. Keep your whipping cream very cold before whipping.
- ¼ cups chopped walnuts – walnuts give this salad an extra crunch, a great contrast to the soft fruit. Pecans can also be used in this recipe.
How To Make Cranberry Salad
- In a large bowl, combine cranberries, grapes, marshmallows, apples, sugar, and salt.
- Cover and let chill in the fridge for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Whip the whipping cream using a handheld mixture with a whisk attachment until stiff peaks form.
- Fold the whipped cream and walnuts into the fruit mixture and serve.
What Should I Serve With This Salad
This cranberry salad is an excellent side dish to any of your family holiday meals, or it can be the star of the show on your following dessert table.
Enhance your turkey dinner by serving this salad alongside, or place it next to this sticky toffee pudding cake to let the colors pop! You are sure to find something delicious to serve with it in our recipe index.
Expert Tips
- If you are short on time or don’t have the right tools to make your own whipped cream, store-bought whipped topping can be used instead.
- Want to make this salad even more colorful and fun? Try using multicolor miniature marshmallows!
- To bring out the full flavor of the walnuts, toast them in the oven at 350 for 8-10 minutes before chopping.
OTHER CRANBERRY RECIPES YOU MIGHT ENJOY
- Cranberry Shortbread Bars
- Cranberry Brie Pull-apart Bread
- Cabernet Cranberry And Blueberry Sauce
- Cranberry-Orange Relish
- Christmas Cranberry Pound Cake
Cranberry Salad
Ingredients
- 3 cups fresh or thawed frozen cranberries
- 1 cup green grapes, halved
- 2 cups miniature marshmallows
- 1 medium apple, chopped
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- ¼ cups chopped walnuts
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine cranberries, grapes, marshmallows, apple, sugar, and salt
- Cover and let chill in the fridge for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Whip the whipping cream using a handheld mixture with a whisk attachment until stiff peaks form.
- Fold the whipped cream and walnuts into the fruit mixture and serve.
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can You Freeze Cranberry Salad?
I do not recommend freezing this salad. Any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Can You Use Frozen Cranberries For Cranberry Salad?
Frozen cranberries will work just fine in this salad recipe. If you use them, sure to allow them to thaw, or else your salad will have a lot of extra liquid in it.
I came across this just 3 days ago and thought it would be great for Christmas dinner. When I went shopping for ingredients, I learned there wasn’t a bag of fresh cranberries to be had anywhere..!!! I should have remembered from last year..!! Grrrrr…anyway, a grocer suggested dried cranberries and I waved it off. While trying to think of something else, it dawned on me to rehydrate the dried ones…!!! The salad didn’t turn pink but it was still a great salad..!!! So, thank you…!!!
I have not made this, but hope to try it during the holidays.
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