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    Home » Sides/Salads

    Vegan Retro Jello Cranberry Salad

    Published: October 31, 2021 | 12:20 am, Modified: May 25, 2022 by Connie Edwards McGaughy This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe

    Vegan Retro Jello Cranberry Salad 🌱 Experience a blast to the past with this all vegan version of a classic Thanksgiving Jello Cranberry Wobbler salad. Created with a colorful combo of fresh cranberries, oranges, walnuts and spices in a citrusy-sweet plant-based gelatin.

    I'll admit, I was feeling a bit nostalgic when I decided to trip down memory lane and recreate an all-vegan copycat version of a classic 1970's Jello Cranberry Wobbler. My 20-something year old daughter rolled her eyes in disbelief that this dish was ever a thing, but it didn't stop me from giving it a try. All I can say is this vegan jello Thanksgiving cranberry salad tastes just as I remember the original cranberry wobbler from 40+ years ago and best of all, no animals were harmed in the process.

    This is one of those dishes that people either love or don't. I'm a pretty sentimental person and am drawn to foods that remind me of special occasions from my childhood, like my grandmother's old fashioned potato salad and my mom's fabulous macaroni salad. For those Boomers like me, who grew up with the weird and wonderful array of jello salads that were part of our mothers' regular recipe repertoires, this one's for you.

    This post may contain affiliate links. I may earn from purchases at no additional cost to you.

    Should you be inclined to channel your inner Kitty Forman and experience it yourself in all its wondrous wobbly retro glory - here you go!

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Equipment
    • 🥕Fun Tip
    • Instructions
    • 🥕FAQ's
    • Recipe

    Ingredients

    • 1 3 oz pkg vegan gelatin dessert - lemon or orange - I used this brand
    • 1 cup fresh cranberries
    • ⅓ cup sugar
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
    • ⅛ teaspoon cloves
    • 1 orange 
    • 1 tablespoon orange zest
    • ½ cup chopped walnuts, pecans or almonds

    Equipment

    • Food processor or blender
    • Strainer or colander
    • Measuring cup
    • Measuring spoons
    • Cutting board
    • Kitchen knife
    • Jello mold, small bundt pan or medium glass bowl
    • Citrus zester

    🥕Fun Tip

    This vegan retro jello cranberry salad is the perfect party dish to serve at a 70's themed event! Put on a pair of bell bottoms, spin some vinyl and whip up some cheesy vegan fondue and a platter of veggie meatballs with homemade marinara.

    Instructions

    1. Wash/rinse and drain cranberries.
    2. Place in food processor or blender and pulse until well-chopped.
    3. Combine cranberries and sugar. Set aside
    4. Grate orange peel for zest.
    5. Peel orange and divide into segments. Remove pith. Dice into pieces.
    6. Prepare vegan gelatin dessert per package directions.
    7. Stir in cinnamon and cloves.
    8. Fold in chopped cranberries, diced orange, 2 teaspoon orange zest and nuts.
    9. Spoon into a jello mold, small bundt pan or medium size glass bowl.
    10. Cover and place in refrigerator until firm.
    11. When ready to serve, remove from mold by turning upside down on a flat plate. If needed, set jello mold briefly in warm water first, to loosen from mold.
    12. Garnish with fresh fruit, remaining orange zest and nuts.
    13. Enjoy the wobbler!

    🥕Note This vegan recipe does not contain gelatin and is not sponsored by Jello.

    An image of the original Jello Cranberry Wobbler ad from the 1970's.
    The original 1970's ad for Jello Cranberry Wobbler.

    🥕FAQ's

    Is gelatin vegan?

    No, it is not. Gelatin or gelatine is a translucent, colorless, flavorless food ingredient, commonly derived from collagen taken from animal body parts. It is used in gelatin desserts, most gummy candies and marshmallows. For this recipe, we are using a vegan version of a gelatin dessert that contains no animal products.

    Can I make my own vegan jello?

    Yes you can. A common plant-based replacement for gelatin is agar, an ingredient made from seaweed (red algae). Here is a simple recipe from Loving it Vegan, for making your own vegan jello.

    Can I use any flavor of vegan jello for this recipe?

    You could, but I suggest using a lemon or orange jello, allowing the color and flavor of the cranberries to shine through.

    How to store vegan cranberry jello wobbler?

    I suggest keeping it refrigerated until just before serving. Wobbler needs to be cold to maintain its shape. Cover leftover wobbler and refrigerate up to 3 days.

    A classic 1970's vegan Jello cranberry salad, also known as cranberry wobbler.

    very vegan 🌱 very good

    Recipe

    A vegan retro 1970's Jello cranberry wobbler on a plate, garnished with fresh whole cranberries, orange slices, walnuts, and mint leaves.

    Vegan Retro Jello Cranberry Salad

    Connie 🥕
    Vegan Retro Jello Cranberry Salad 🌱 Experience a blast to the past this with this all vegan version of a classic Thanksgiving Jello Cranberry Wobbler salad. Created with a colorful combo of fresh cranberries, oranges, walnuts and spices in a citrusy-sweet plant-based gelatin.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 20 mins
    Cook Time 0 mins
    Refrigerate 2 hrs
    Total Time 2 hrs 20 mins
    Course Dessert, Side Dish
    Cuisine Holiday, Thanksgiving
    Servings 12
    Calories 99 kcal

    Equipment

    • food processor or blender
    • strainer or colander
    • Measuring cup
    • Measuring spoons
    • Cutting board
    • kitchen knife
    • Jello mold, small bundt pan or medium glass bowl
    • Citrus zester

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 3 oz gelatin dessert vegan (lemon or orange) - I used this brand
    • 1 cup cranberries fresh
    • ⅓ cup sugar
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
    • ⅛ teaspoon cloves
    • 1 orange
    • 1 tablespoon orange zest
    • ½ cup walnuts chopped - or pecans or almonds

    Instructions
     

    • Wash/rinse and drain cranberries.
    • Place in food processor or blender and pulse until well-chopped.
    • Combine cranberries and sugar. Set aside
    • Grate orange peel for zest.
    • Peel orange and divide into segments. Remove pith. Dice into pieces.
    • Prepare vegan gelatin dessert per package directions.
    • Stir in cinnamon and cloves.
    • Fold in chopped cranberries, diced orange, 2 teaspoon orange zest and nuts.
    • Spoon into a jello mold, small bundt pan, or medium sized glass bowl.
    • Cover and place in refrigerator until firm.
    • When ready to serve, remove from mold by turning upside down on a flat plate. If needed, set jello mold briefly in warm water first, to loosen from mold.
    • Garnish with fresh fruit, remaining orange zest and nuts.
    • Enjoy!

    Notes

    🥕Be sure to follow the package directions on store-bought vegan gelatin dessert.
    🥕Store leftover vegan jello cranberry salad (wobbler) covered in a refrigerator up to 3 days.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 99kcalCarbohydrates: 17gProtein: 2gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 93mgPotassium: 50mgFiber: 1gSugar: 15gVitamin A: 33IUVitamin C: 8mgCalcium: 11mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Connie Edwards McGaughy

      October 31, 2021 at 12:24 am

      5 stars
      If you're a fan of the original 1970's Jello Cranberry Wobbler, you're going to love this updated all-vegan version of this classic Thanksgiving dish.

      Reply

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