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Home » Recipes » Thanksgiving

Cranberry Salad


Prep Time :5 minutes mins
Cook Time :10 minutes mins
Total Time :15 minutes mins
Servings :10
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A cropped square image of a bowl of cranberry salad with some cranberries and marshmallows on top.
two image collage of a cranberry salad with text overlay for pinterest.

Published: Oct 29, 2022 · Modified: Aug 8, 2024 by Melanie Cagle · Leave a Comment

A dreamy, creamy cranberry salad recipe full of crunchy pecans, apples, sweet marshmallows and cranberries it's the perfect fluffy way to serve cranberries.

Overhead shot of a bowl of cranberry salad.
Cranberry Salad

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Naturally, this dish is perfect to serve during your holiday dinners. It deserves a spot front and center with the thanksgiving turkey.

Jump to:
  • What makes this recipe so yummy
  • Groceries you'll need: Ingredients
  • Recipe walkthrough: Instructions
  • Recipe variations and substitute ideas
  • Necessary gear: Equipment
  • Similar recipes I think you'll love
  • How to store leftovers
  • Mel's kitchen notes
  • Frequently asked questions: FAQs
  • Cranberry Salad
  • 💬 Comments

What makes this recipe so yummy

  • It's very easy cranberry salad, no fuss.
  • Other than cooking the cranberries in sugar and water (10 minutes) there's no other cooking involved.
  • You can have it ready in 15 minutes (not including the cooling time).
  • Delicious combination of textures and flavors.
  • This dish is perfect with your Thanksgiving dinner.

Groceries you'll need: Ingredients

Overhead image of ingredients needed to make a cranberry salad.
  • Cranberries
  • Marshmallows
  • Pecans
  • Apple
  • Water
  • Salt
  • Heavy Whipping Cream
  • Sugar
  • Unsweetened Crushed Pineapple

See recipe card at the bottom of this post for quantities.

Recipe walkthrough: Instructions

This is an overview of the recipe steps. For more detailed instructions visit the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

  • Step 1: Add the cranberries, water and sugar to a pot and bring to a boil. Turn down to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes.
  • Step 2: Take off the heat and allow to cool and thicken.
  • Step 3: Add the whipping cream to the bowl of a stand mixer and beat until stiff peaks form.
  • Step 4: Add the marshmallows, pecans, apples, drained pineapple to the cooled cranberries, along with the pinch of salt.
  • Step 5: Fold the cranberry mixture into the whipped heavy cream, carefully.
  • Step 6: Serve in a bowl with a little sprinkle of pecans and marshmallows on top.

Hint: Making this cranberry salad a few hours ahead of time will give the flavors a good time to come together.

Recipe variations and substitute ideas

  • Cool Whip - whipped topping instead of the heavy cream.
  • Fresh Pineapple - chop up some fresh pineapple instead of the canned version.
  • Mandarin Oranges - slivers of mandarin oranges work well.
  • Sour Cream - some people use sour cream in this recipe.
  • Green Apple - I used a red apple but a green apple is fine too.
  • Orange Juice - A touch of orange juice for tartness.
  • Feta Cheese - for a texture and flavor change up.
  • Walnut Salad - walnuts work well in place of the pecans.
A close up of a bowl of cranberry salad with a spoon digging into it.

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Necessary gear: Equipment

The following are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

I like to use my stand mixer to beat the cream, although it's not totally necessary. I just like to be able to let it do it's thing while I do other things.

If you need to, you could use your food processor for chopping the pecans.

I have a few affiliate links in the recipe card below.

Similar recipes I think you'll love

  • Overhead cropped in shot of a bowl of cranberry pecan chicken salad.
  • close up overhead image of a bowl of dried cranberry sauce with some orange zest sprinkled on top.
  • A bowl of salad with apples and red onions and cranberries with a spoon on the side
  • a jar of reddish purple vinaigrette - cranberry vinaigrette
  • Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad
  • Dried Cranberry Sauce Recipe
  • Apple Cranberry Salad
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  • Cracker Barrel Kale Salad
  • Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball Bites

How to store leftovers

If you have some left you should store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Mel's kitchen notes

Make sure the cranberries have completely cooled before adding the other ingredients or they will melt.

Cranberry salad with a scoop missing.

Frequently asked questions: FAQs

What is cranberry celebration salad?

This recipe is similar, it's a cranberry salad with cranberries, pineapples and walnuts.

What goes best with cranberries?

Turkey, obviously. Quinoa, pecans, walnuts, cheese, pork, chicken. Cream cheese is especially good.


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A cropped square image of a bowl of cranberry salad with some cranberries and marshmallows on top.
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Cranberry Salad

A fluffy and creamy cranberry salad full of delicious textures and flavors.
Prep Time5 minutes mins
Cook Time10 minutes mins
Total Time15 minutes mins
Servings: 10
Cuisine: Salads, Thanksgiving
Author: Melanie Cagle
Prevent your screen from going dark

Equipment

  • Stand Mixer
  • 1.5 QT Small Pot

Ingredients

  • 12 Ounces Fresh Cranberries or frozen
  • 1 Cup Water
  • ⅔ Cup Granulated Sugar
  • 1 Cup Heavy Whipping Cream
  • 14 Ounces Unsweetened Crushed Pineapple 1 Can, drained
  • 2 Cups Mini Marshmallows
  • 1 Each Medium Apple peeled, cored and chopped
  • 1 Cup Pecans
  • 1 Pinch Salt

Instructions

  • Add the cranberries, water and granulated sugar to a pot and bring to a boil. Turn down the heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
    12 Ounces Fresh Cranberries, 1 Cup Water, ⅔ Cup Granulated Sugar
  • Remove from the heat and allow to cool and thicken.
  • Add the cream to the bowl of a stand mixer and beat until stiff peaks have formed.
    1 Cup Heavy Whipping Cream
  • To the cooled cranberries add the marshmallows, pecans, apples and drained pineapple. Stir well to mix.
    14 Ounces Unsweetened Crushed Pineapple, 2 Cups Mini Marshmallows, 1 Each Medium Apple, 1 Cup Pecans, 1 Pinch Salt
  • Add to the mixing bowl with the whipped cream and fold in, gently.
  • Serve with a little garnish of cranberries, marshmallows and pecans on top.

Notes

You can use fresh cranberries here, like I did, or use frozen.
Mix and prepare a few hours before you want to serve to give the flavors enough time to come together.
Did You Make This?Please consider Leaving a Review!

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 280kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 27mg | Sodium: 17mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 27g

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Filed Under: Christmas, Fall Recipes, Salad Recipes, Thanksgiving

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