Cranberry Salad

This Cranberry Salad is a nearly 100-year-old tradition. It’s a Thanksgiving and Christmas staple at meals shared by my mom’s side of the family. The recipe came from my Great Grandma Oltman, who lived from 1896 to 1980.

Cranberry Salad starts with a relish combining fresh cranberries, pineapple, apples, plus some salt and sugar. This relish alone is a tasty complement to turkey. But if you want to make it authentic, add Cool Whip to ensure that everyone will love this sweet fruit salad. Marshmallows are an optional addition.

Cranberry Salad

Start with a fruity relish and add whipped topping to make a fluffy salad

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Prep Time 45 mins

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Ingredients

  

• 1 package fresh cranberries
• 2 apples chopped
• 13 oz can crushed pineapple drained
• 1 dash salt
• 1/2 c sugar (or less, if desired)
• 8 oz whipped topping (like Cool Whip)
• 3 c mini marshmallows, (if desired)

Instructions

 

• Using a food processor, chopper, or skilled hands with a knife, finely chop the cranberries and apples and place in a large bowl
• Add crushed, drained pineapple (discard juice or add to another juice for a tasty combo)
• Stir together with salt and sugar. At this stage, the mixture is a chunky relish that freezes well, so I often divide it and save half for Christmas for our small family.
• Prior to serving, add whipped topping and marshmallows.

Keyword cranberry salad, fruit salad, Thanksgiving side dish

(Cranberry Salad was originally posted in 2010 and updated in 2024)

Other Thanksgiving and Christmas favorites in our family include:

Crinkly Gingersnaps

Cinnamon Spiced Pecans

French Fried Turkey (seriously, you need to check this one out. Leftover slices of turkey are taken to the next level.)