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This mandarin orange jello salad is a sweet & juicy treat that’s practically effortless and only requires three ingredients! Orange gelatin (that’s dissolved with boiling water) is combined with creamy sweetened condensed milk and canned mandarins – plus their liquid! Nothing goes to waste with this stunning jello mold. Don’t have a mold? No problem! You can easily make this simple jello recipe in a serving bowl.
We eat this orange jello salad every New Year’s Eve. Our family friend Shirley makes it. This is also the celebration where we enjoy grasshoppers with ice cream. Because Shirley knows how to party.
Speaking of party, you could totally serve this at one! It’s so cool and refreshing and the presentation is stunning. But, because it’s so easy to whip up, you can also enjoy it during the week as a side with dinner.
Because if there’s one thing about the Midwest, it’s that jello salads are side dishes. Get into it.
I’ll never tire of adding fruit to jello! I submit my raspberry pretzel jello salad and lime green jello salad as evidence.
And, of course, this easy-peasy mandarin orange jello salad!
Ingredient Overview
- Orange Flavored Gelatin – The base of nearly all jello salads starts with a delicious fruit-flavored gelatin. Personally, I think orange is underrated!
- Canned Mandarin Oranges – We use both the orange segments and their syrup in this recipe!
- Sweetened Condensed Milk – This adds sweetness and creaminess to this jello mold. The combination of a dairy product and jello sounds weird, but it works!
Mandarin Orange Jello Salad Recipe
This is just a brief overview, find detailed instructions in the recipe card below!
- Make the orange gelatin. It’s just the powder and water. Then stir in the mandarin juice.
- Add the sweetened condensed milk. Stir until combined. The mixture will become opaque.
- Pour into your mold. That’s been coated in baking spray.
- Add the mandarins. I dollop them over the top of the mold, as they float.
- Chill until set. Overnight is preferred, but a few hours will do.
Easily Getting Jello out of a Mold
If you’re going the jello mold route for this recipe and not just making it in a bowl, you may face the daunting task of getting the jello out of the mold.
Have no fear, though! It’s easier than you think to easily get jello out of a mold. You just have to do these two things:
Make sure the mold is lightly coated in baking spray before adding the liquid gelatin mixture. And when it comes time to serve, set the mold in a basin of warm water for a few seconds to help it loosen from the sides of the mold.
That’s really all there is to it, I promise! I have been beyond fortunate in that every single jello mold I’ve ever made has come right out by doing these two simple things.
Orange you glad you love jello?!
Three Ingredient Mandarin Orange Jello Salad (No Cottage Cheese)
Equipment
- Large Measuring Cup
- Jello Mold, optional
Ingredients
- 6 ounces orange jello (1 large package or 2 small)
- 15 ounces canned mandarin oranges
- ½ cup sweetened condensed milk
Instructions
For the jello salad:
- Set a kettle on to boil as you’ll need 1 cup of boiling water to dissolve the jello. While the water heats, lightly coat a jello mold with baking spray and set aside. Next, strain the mandarin oranges, reserving the liquid (it should be about ¾ cup of juice or “light syrup” - if it is not, fill the measuring cup up to ¾ cup with water).
- Pour 1 cup boiling water over 6 ounces orange jello mix. Whisk until gelatin is fully dissolved. Then add the reserved mandarin liquid and ½ cup cool water, mixing to combine.
- Stir in ½ cup sweetened condensed milk until fully incorporated.
- Pour gelatin into prepared mold and top with the mandarin orange segments. I like to scatter them around the mold as they float.
- Refrigerate jello until firm, about 4 hours. This can also be done the night before.
To un-mold the jello:
- Fill your sink up with enough warm water to come up the sides of the mold (but not go over it!). Dip the mold into the warm water for 15 – 20 seconds.
- Then, place your plate or serving platter on top of the jello mold and quickly invert it. If you’re mold has two parts you can now separate the “lid” from the “bottom.” It should release and slide out.
- Serve the jello salad in slices and enjoy!
Notes
- Jello salad can be stored, leftovers covered in a sealed container in the refrigerator, for up to three days.
- If you don’t have a jello mold, you can simply make this entire salad in a serving bowl, from dissolving the gelatin to stirring in the mandarins. It scoops very well!
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